Many schools are named after important people to honor their legacy and contributions to the community. One such school is William Tyson Elementary, located in Anchorage, Alaska. This article delves into the history of William Tyson Elementary School, exploring the origins of its name and the legacy it represents.
The Namesake: Rev. William Tyson
William Tyson Elementary is named for Rev. William Tyson (1916-1993), who is best known for his attempts to preserve Yup'ik culture. William Tyson was born in Kanillik or Akulurak, a small Yupik village near Sheldon's Point located across Norton Sound from Nome. During his childhood, William gathered vegetables and berries from the tundra. He fished, hunted, and trapped - using every bit of the animals for eating or clothing. In 1927, William was sent away to boarding school.
In 1948, he married Marie, claiming that before he was only half a person and his wife made him whole. Chief Tyson was an advocate for Natives statewide and fought for the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (which was passed into law in 1971) and tribal enrollment. He did not hesitate to voice his strong concerns about the survival of his people and the land on which they lived. He spoke before the Alaska State Legislature and Alaska Federation of Natives to advocate Native rights.
In 1976, Chief Tyson was ordained a deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. Among his jobs were teaching school and being a postmaster, but his love was keeping Alaska Native tradition alive. Chief Tyson and Mrs. Tyson worked with students from pre-school through colledge in preserving Native arts and crafts, dancing, and clothing. They inspired the formation of the Greatland Traditional Dancers in 1983 after learning that no such group existed for urban students in Anchorage. They brought students and parents together to learn Yupik dances and songs.
Chief Tyson received many awards throughout his life for his efforts. He was named Elder of the Year by the Alaska Federation of Natives, and Parent of the Year by the Alaska Native Education Council and Community Member of the Year by the Cook Inlet Tribal Council/ Johnson-O'Malley Program. A scholarship was named after him by the Johnson O'Malley Program. Chief Tyson was an important person in the Native and Non-Native Community; a positive role model, a teacher, a leader, an elder, a parent, and a volunteer. He was fondly referred to as "Grandpa" and never turned down a chance to assist a student.
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Other Schools Named for Individuals
Many area schools have obvious name origins, either self-explanatory (e.g., East and West high schools) named after their neighborhoods (e.g., Government Hill and Wonder Park Elementary Schools), or named after natural features and wildlife (e.g., Aurora and Birchwood Elementary Schools). Many schools are named for individuals, some perhaps forgotten. Here are a few examples:
- Abbott Loop Elementary: Named for homesteader Cecil Abbott (1898-1986).
- Baxter Elementary: Named for LaVon “Von” Baxter (1916-1999).
- Begich Middle School: Named for politician Nicholas “Nick” Begich (1932-1972).
- Benson Secondary: Named for John Ben “Benny” Benson Jr. (1913-1972), who designed the Alaska flag at age 13.
- Bowman Elementary: Named for civil rights advocate and politician Willard Bowman (1919-1975).
- Clark Middle School: Named for schoolteacher Orah Dee Clark (1875-1965), who taught in Alaska from 1906 through 1944 and was Anchorage’s first school superintendent.
- Dimond High School: Named for lawyer, politician, and judge Anthony “Tony” Dimond (1881-1953).
- Hanshew Middle School: Named after Ralph Hanshew, a teacher at Central High School.
- Huffman Elementary: Named for radio operator Vernon “Vern” Huffman (1906-1974).
- Kincaid Elementary: Named for contractor Ralph Kincaid (1907-1953).
- King Tech High School: Named for civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968).
- Klatt Elementary: Named for homesteader Lester “Les” Klatt (1919-2012).
- McLaughlin Secondary School: Named for lawyer, Alaska Constitutional Convention member, and Anchorage magistrate George McLaughlin (1914-1958).
- Mears Middle School: Named for educator and civic advocate Jennifer “Jane” Mears (1880-1953).
- Muldoon Elementary: Named for area homesteader Arnold Muldoon (1909-1985).
- O’Malley Elementary: Named for longtime Anchorage doctor James “Doc” O’Malley Sr. (1907-1974).
- Romig Middle School: Named for Dr. Joseph Romig (1872-1951), a missionary doctor and mayor of Anchorage (1937-1938).
- Russian Jack Elementary: Named for convicted bootlegger and murderer Jacob Marunenko (1883-1971), also known as Jack Marchin.
- Service High School: Named for the English-born author Robert Service (1874-1958) known for his poems about the Klondike Gold Rush.
- Steller Secondary School: Named for German botanist, physician and zoologist Georg Wilhelm Steller (1709-1746).
- Tudor Elementary: Named for real estate developer and homesteader Burl Tudor (1920-2000).
- Wendler Middle School: Named for the German-born businessman and civic leader Anton Wendler (1868-1935).
- Whaley School: Named for Dr. Helen Whaley (1924-1971), Alaska’s first female pediatrician.
- Wood Elementary: Named for longtime Anchorage teacher and principal Gladys Wood (1916-1970).
Seclusion Practices and Reforms
William Tyson Elementary, along with several other schools in the Anchorage School District, has been involved in discussions regarding seclusion practices for students with special needs. Many of the reforms are aimed at four specific schools: Kasuun Elementary, Lake Hood Elementary, William Tyson Elementary and the Whaley School. These schools all have programs for students with special needs and challenging behavioral issues. The district is working to end the use of seclusion and reform the use of restraint.
Tyson-Schoener Elementary School
Tyson-Schoener Elementary School was built in 1928 and was named for Benjamin Tyson and Adam Schoener, local legislators who supported the establishment of free public schools in 1834. This Art Deco building features a series of terra-cotta panels depicting nursery rhymes and other scenes. These panels are distinguished for their thematic variety and subtle coloration. They also represent a generous expenditure for public art and a conception of beauty as important to education - progressive notions for the era in which the school was built. Charles H. Muhlenberg V designed the building. His sister, Virginia Muhlenberg Steininger, created the decorative tiles. There are 21 tiles in all, each about 12” x 12”, in a band below the first floor windows on the school facade.
| School Name | Person Honored | Reason for Naming |
|---|---|---|
| William Tyson Elementary | Rev. William Tyson | Preservation of Yup'ik Culture |
| Abbott Loop Elementary | Cecil Abbott | Homesteader |
| Baxter Elementary | LaVon “Von” Baxter | World War II Veteran and Insurance Man |
| Begich Middle School | Nicholas “Nick” Begich | Politician |
| Benson Secondary | John Ben “Benny” Benson Jr. | Designed the Alaska Flag |
| Clark Middle School | Orah Dee Clark | Schoolteacher and First Anchorage Superintendent |
| Hanshew Middle School | Ralph Hanshew | Teacher at Central High School |
| Wendler Middle School | Anton Wendler | Businessman and Civic Leader |
| Whaley School | Dr. Helen Whaley | Alaska's First Female Pediatrician |
| Wood Elementary | Gladys Wood | Longtime Anchorage Teacher and Principal |
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tags: #william #tyson #elementary