When Bo Sahr first heard about student teaching in Alaska, it sounded like the perfect fit for a kid from northwest Wisconsin who lived for the outdoors.
He came north, taught in Tununak, and quickly fell in love—not just with the sweeping tundra, but with the people who welcomed him into their village. By 2016, he and his wife, both science teachers, had made Alaska their home, and Bo stepped into his first full-time role in Nunapitchuk in early 2017.
He remembers the shift that came after his first year, when trust was earned, behavior challenges eased, and invitations from families started to roll in. When people leave, it disrupts the community, staying made all the difference.
That stability opened doors for his own growth, too. With encouragement from his district, Bo earned his master’s degree and stepped into leadership, becoming the assistant principal in Nunapitchuk. Along the way, he’s recruited new teachers, speaking at job fairs and encouraging others to “just say yes” to the adventure and to the community.
If and when he returns to Wisconsin someday, Bo knows the goodbye will be hard. For now, though, Alaska is home—the place that shaped his career, challenged him, and gave him some of the closest relationships of his life.