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About Jim
Gilbert... My family moved from central California to Fairbanks, Alaska in 1972. I immediately found much to love about Alaska, particularly the scenery, wildlife and fishing. I enjoy many hobbies including Aikido, bird-watching, fishing, fly tying, reading, hunting, woodworking and music. I worked in the Fairbanks area in a variety of fields until a friend offered some valued advise--"Find something you really enjoy doing, then find a way to make a living doing it." Following this thought I worked my way through college, earning a degree in general biology. Along the way I discovered I enjoyed generating excitement in children as much as studying life in Alaska. Tackling the additional studies for a K-8 teaching certificate and a few extra biology classes for fun, I graduated from UAF in 1997, then jumped into full-time substitute teaching in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. After "subbing" for a year in a variety of levels, and working one semester as an aide in a woodworking class, I accepted a position teaching students in first grade at Anderson Elementary School on Eielson Air Force Base. I enjoy the enthusiasm of my young scholars and love leading these young minds to discovery. Science exploration is a passion which I know rubs off on my students. Yes, sometimes even when it's gross! To parents who aren't always as excited as my young explorers I can only offer a smile, and chuckle when their child interupts to say "Yeah, but its 'cool' gross!" It is fair to say my young scholars teach us all a great deal too. I am very proud of their work and am pleased to share some of it with you in the Art of Alaska Project and the Living Science Center. Back to: Top | Classroom site |
