Mentor Biography

Judy Olsen

Judy Olsen

Judy graduated with a Fine Arts degree in teaching from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After teaching ten years in the Chicago land area Judy took a years leave of absence to visit her family in Kodiak. During that year she wrote a grant for the state artist in residency program in the schools and taught both in Ouzinkie and Ahkiok on Kodiak Island. Judy has taught for 28 years in both public and private schools. Her background includes: Chapter I Coordinator for the Copper River School District and principal for two years at Sonrise Christian School. She has taught for ten years in multiage settings at North Star (Kodiak) grades 3-5 and most recently at Bowman Elementary (Anchorage) in the Open Optional Program grades 3/4. Her focus has been in Reading and Writing and cross curricular planning. Judy and her husband live in Anchorage where they enjoy their children, grandchildren and church family. She is currently on leave from the Anchorage School District.