Girdwood K-8 School’s new Principal Erik Viste is no stranger to SE Alaska and stands ready for the 2016/17 academic term.
Principal Viste draws attention to Girdwood K-8 School’s additional new arrival: a wall-mounted series of wood block carvings depicting historically life along the Turnagain Arm. The massive, hanging work represents the “1 Percent for Art” initiative and is the first such piece displayed in the Anchorage School District.
By P.M. Fadden
Associate Editor
Valley children and parents open their 2016/17 academic terms with not only a fully completed Girdwood K-8 School facility but a new administrator in Erik Viste at the institution’s Principal post.
Previously Assistant Principal to Rogers Park as well as Taku Elementary Schools, Viste leads Girdwood School’s 184-strong student population with respect for family, nature and learning.
Viste, a Wisconsin born three-time father and snowboarder, took time from a bustling academic preparatory period for a neighborly chat with the Glacier City Gazette.
“I believe in education. It’s one of those on the life-long learner philosophies.”
– Girdwood K-8 School Principal Erik Viste
When did you first move to Alaska, and where did you live?
I moved from Wisconsin to Alaska in July 2001 and began my internship with the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. I lived in a single room hut above a Kenai garage with a spectacular view of Mt. Redoubt, but I was always driving to where the snowboarding was, so I later moved to Anchorage in the summer of 2004.
What was family, school life like back in Wisconsin?
I am the eldest of 5 children (2 brothers and 2 sisters) and had an assortment of pets in my childhood including rabbits, gerbils, turtles, snakes, crawfish, fish and dogs. My first pet was Pokey, a small white poodle mix named after the children’s book Pokey the Little Puppy. I find I appreciate diverse activities and grew up swimming, water skiing, biking, fishing and camping. I played soccer, basketball and football as a youth. I even dabbled in the high jump in track and field. Later, I attend undergraduate and graduate school at the University of Wisconsin – LaCrosse, and obtained my administrative Masters degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
What might your new Alaskan pupils and parents find surprising about you?
I have previously been a mason tender, a concrete worker and a commercial fisherman.
Now a growing family and position at a new school must keep you busy but, since moving here, which Alaskan activities have kept your interest keen?
Girdwood and the greater Four Valleys have always been a draw to me – I’ve hiked Crow Pass, Bird, North Face and other trails several times. I’ve stayed at the forestry cabin a few times, attended the 4th of July parade, Forest Fair and enjoyed the accommodations at the Alyeska Hotel. I am currently interested in running, snowboarding, split-boarding, fishing, hiking, camping, reading and raising my three children. I am a family man, interested in activities and opportunities that can organically benefit participants—children and adults.
With this in mind how do you find the valley’s communal and educational environments?
One of the Valley’s unique traits is the incredibly strong connection between the school and the community. [The school] represents a fantastic common element in-between the two. That connection is strength for the school and leads to student support which is highly conducive to a positive educational environment.
The Four Valleys Community School program provides enriching opportunities and is unique to Girdwood as other community schools programs have folded with recent budget reductions. We have a well-balanced, experienced staff that are very outgoing, energetic and highly professional.
The school, generally, has limited staff turnover allowing for stacked success year after year.
Is it too early to ask after any future hopes plans for Girdwood School or community developments?
I’d like to see our school continue to build on it’s strong foundation of high academic rigor, opportunities for enrichment, experiential learning as well as social and emotional learning.
I’d really enjoy planning more Girdwood localized events such as our upcoming September 7th Alyeska track meet to support the community from within.
Personally, I seek days to tackle High Traverse, the Headwall and New Year’s Chute, but above all, I am eager to continue to learn and grown myself alongside both the students and our school.