New Teaching Talent - Deana Kahn

 

Years ago Deana Kahn’s husband fished for king crab in the Bering Sea. The experience must have rubbed off, because she’s been thinking about landing a position in Alaska ever since.
 
“We have visited Alaska, traveling all around the state. We have always wanted to live in Alaska, and when the opportunity arose for me to job search for a school psychologist position in Alaska and at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, we couldn’t resist. I feel very blessed to have this opportunity,” Kahn said.
 
She is school psychologist at Mountain View Elementary School, following three years as a preschool teacher, one year as a high school special education paraeducator and three years as a family advocate, mentor and parent coach in Vancouver, Wash., and Portland, Ore., area. Kahn holds an education specialist degree in school psychology from Lewis and Clark Graduate School, in Portland, Ore., and is a nationally certified school psychologist.

Kahn and her husband, Rolf, were high school sweethearts in La Center, Wash., and have been married for 28 years. They have three children, Erin, in Arizona, Megan, in Oregon, and Bjorn, in Washington, and one granddaughter, Tilia. They have a black Lab named Polly who also made the move to Alaska, and three horses that are currently still in Washington.
 
“I love mentoring, snowboarding, learning and doing new things, reading and just about all sports,” Kahn said. Of her experience in Alaska she’s particularly enjoyed, “the cold, clear sunny days. I love to go out walking or hiking and enjoy the wildlife. I can’t wait for summer to come and my family to visit so that we can do some more exploring,” she said.
 
Her students, their families and her co-workers have proven a friendly environment for her first year in Kenai. “Everyone has made me feel so welcome. I truly enjoy helping students be the best learners they can be,” she said.