In this compelling episode of the Must Read Alaska Show, host Ben Carpenter welcomes Donna Anderson, a retired educator and the Kenai Chapter Chair for Moms for Liberty, to discuss the pressing issues facing Alaska’s education system.

 

With over 30 years of involvement in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District as a teacher, substitute, parent, and grandparent, Donna brings a wealth of firsthand experience to the conversation. She opens up about her decision to retire after 26 years of teaching, driven by frustration with inconsistent policies, questionable curriculum choices like Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA), and a growing disconnect between district leadership and classroom realities.

 

Now, as a leader in Moms for Liberty—a national organization dedicated to empowering parents and holding government accountable—Donna is channeling her passion into grassroots advocacy. She sheds light on overcrowded classrooms, controversial age-inappropriate content, and the district’s failure to address teacher burnout or conduct exit interviews to understand why educators and families are leaving. From her regular presence at school board meetings to her role in launching a statewide legislative committee, Donna explains how Moms for Liberty is mobilizing concerned parents, grandparents, and even dads across Alaska’s four chapters (Fairbanks, Mat-Su, Anchorage, and Kenai Peninsula) to demand transparency and better outcomes for students.

 

Listeners will gain insight into the challenges of curriculum rushed into implementation, the financial waste of unused materials, and the broader cultural and policy shifts needed to retain both students and teachers. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or citizen seeking solutions, this episode offers a candid look at the state of public education and a roadmap for getting involved. Contact Donna at [email protected] or 907-252-7207 to join the effort, or visit momsforliberty.org to connect with a chapter near you and “find your people.”