Kathryn Dyakanoff Seller facts for kids
Kathryn Dyakanoff Seller (1884–1980) was an amazing Alaska Native teacher. She helped open the very first school in the Aleutian Islands that was paid for by the government. This happened in 1909, and she built it with her husband.
Her Early Life
Kathryn Dyakanoff Seller was born in a place called Unalaska, Alaska in 1884. Her family was Aleut, which is an Alaska Native group. When she was a girl, Kathryn lived at the Jesse Lee Home for Children. This was a home run by missionaries. Later, she went to a special school called the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. She finished there in 1906. After that, she studied at Westchester State Normal School, finishing her education in 1907.
Her Teaching Career
Kathryn Dyakanoff started her teaching journey in 1908 in Sitka, Alaska. She worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, helping Native students. In 1909, she and her new husband sailed to Atka, Alaska. Their big goal was to open a brand new school there. This school was the first one in the Aleutian Islands to be funded by the government. The school building was also where they lived. They were very involved in the community. They helped build a community farm and even got a boat for everyone to use. The school also had a workshop and sewing machines for students to learn practical skills. Kathryn and her husband taught on several islands before they moved to Anchorage in 1920. Later, after her husband passed away, Kathryn went back to teaching. She worked in faraway Alaskan schools that served Native students. She also became very skilled at making baskets. At different times, she worked as a midwife, a health officer, and even a photographer. In 1950, her hard work and achievements were recognized. She received an award from the Department of the Interior. She also got a special medal from the United States Congress. A former student, Mary Peterson, remembered Kathryn Seller's kindness. She said, "Mrs. Seller... was my teacher. She was everything to us. She helped people that needed food."
Her Family Life
Kathryn Dyakanoff married Harry George Seller in 1909 in Seattle. Harry was from England. They had six children together. Sadly, their son Alfred drowned when he was a boy. Their son Harry passed away during World War II in the Aleutian Islands campaign. Kathryn became a widow when her husband died in 1936. Kathryn Dyakanoff Seller lived a long life and passed away in San Francisco in 1980. She was 95 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Kathryn Dyakanoff Seller para niños
