Lindsey Weaver has been honored nationally for her contributions to Fairbanks’ after-school programs

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) – Lindsey Weaver, director of the 21st Century Community Learning Program in the Fairbanks North Star Borough District, has been honored for her work in Interior Alaska by the National After School Association.

Weaver has worked with the Fairbanks School District for the past seven years. “Being a product of our school district and then coming back to work in this position has been incredibly rewarding,” he said.

Over the past year and a half, she has taken on the role of securing funding for post-secondary programs, especially grant programs. “I like to stay behind the scenes. I’m behind the scenes, making sure that we meet our federal funding and then making sure that… our staff has the resources to do it.

“Fairbanks hasn’t slowed down since she took over as leader, and we’ve really grown,” explained Courtney Havrilek, afterschool ambassador and colleague of Weaver’s.

“He is passable. He has an infectious energy,” Havrilek said.

In February, the National AfterSchool Association selected Weaver as one of the 2023 Next Generation Afterschool Leaders. “I am very excited to bring to Alaska a national perspective for our after-school programs,” said Weaver.

This honor, according to the association, is for those who play a larger role in these programs and whose impact is seen around the community. Havrilek said of Weaver: “She works very hard. She’s persistent, she’s persistent, she’s extremely positive, and she just keeps moving forward.”

Weaver has been involved with after-school programs since high school, stressing the importance of community workers and volunteers to keep these activities going. “We have full-time staff that work behind the scenes on these programs, and their full-time job is to make sure that these programs are implemented, and then we do what we ask of our certified teachers, our support staff. and student workers to extend their working day beyond the school day.

In the Fairbanks School District, seven facilities host after-school programs for students throughout the district. They are Ann Wien Elementary, Hunter Elementary, Denali Elementary, Weller Elementary, Tikasuk Brown Elementary, Ryan Middle School, and Lathrop Middle School.

These applications range from cooking to coding, fencing to 3-D printing. “In order for our working parents to do their jobs well, be productive at work, feel good about going to work and staying full time, they need to know that their children are safe and healthy. That’s what our after-school programs offer,” Havrilek said.

According to Weaver and Havrilek, there is room for growth. “In Alaska, for every student we have in the after-school program, we have three students waiting.”

Weaver commented, “If I had the opportunity to expand the summer programs, that’s just a real need for us.”

Weaver’s profile can be found on the site Spring 2023 issue of Afterschool Today magazinealong with 16 other recipients this year.

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