Glennallen Elementary Principal Frances Jackson Announces Resignation

 Frances Jackson Grew Up In Gulkana, In The Copper Valley 

FRANCES JACKSON OF GULKANA. (PHOTO, AHTNA KANAS) 

GLENNALLEN ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL RESIGNS 

Frances Jackson, who has served as principal of Glennallen Elementary for a number of years, will be resigning her position. She will not return to the school this fall, she wrote in a newsletter from the school district in mid-May, 2023.

Frances grew up in Gulkana Village, the daughter of Nick and Lorraine Jackson, and granddaughter of the late Ben and Hazel Neeley of Gulkana and Tony and Mary Jackson of Kluti-Kaah. 

She went to elementary school at Gakona School – which is now closed – and to high school in Glennallen. 

FRANCES JACKSON, 1985. (PHOTO, LINDA WELD) 

She has been involved in education for 22 years. 

An Ahtna Kanas story from 2018 noted she was named Glennallen School's new principal that year. 

Frances Jackson earned a Bachelor's degree in education from American Indian College. She taught in Kotzebue for 4 years, and then in the Copper River School District, starting as a first grade teacher. 

She was the first Alaska Native GHS graduate to return as a teacher and, finally, a principal. 

In 2018, Frances Jackson won the Alaska Federation of Natives AFN Eileen Panigeo Maclean Education Award. 

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On May 15th, Principal Jackson announced she was leaving when she wrote in the Glennallen Elementary School Update:

After much thought and prayer, I have decided to not return to school next fall. There are many reasons for my resignation, however, it is not my health. I have enjoyed working with students, parents, teachers, and staff. I will still be in the area and will root for your child's success in the coming years. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at school.