Administration

Welcome!

I am grateful to be part of the Valdez community and to serve the students, families, and staff of Valdez City Schools. Education has been my passion for more than two decades, and I genuinely believe there is no more important work than helping young people discover their potential and prepare for the opportunities that lie ahead.

I believe the purpose of education is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they need to be successful in college, careers, and life. To do that well, we have to continue growing ourselves. I strive to model and develop the Six Cs—communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, citizenship, and character—while taking the time to understand our community, our school culture, and what makes Valdez such a special place. I also believe that academic achievement should always be our priority, while recognizing that every student comes to school with unique strengths, challenges, interests, and experiences. My goal is to help every student feel known, supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Before becoming a school administrator, I spent 19 years teaching mathematics, from sixth-grade math all the way to college courses in Differential Equations and Bayesian Statistics. I had the opportunity to teach in both the United States and China, and those experiences helped shape the educator and leader I am today. While earning my master's degree in Educational Leadership, I completed administrative internships at three schools and the Alpine School District Office. I also completed the Superintendent Certification program through the University of Alaska Southeast and am excited to begin the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the fall of 2026.

When I'm not at school, you'll usually find me spending time with my husband and our four children. We love being active together, whether we're playing pickleball, volleyball, or basketball, or getting outside to hike and enjoy Alaska's incredible beauty. I'm also an avid reader, a recreational runner, and someone who still enjoys sitting down at the piano every now and then—even if my skills are a bit rusty!

Our family has truly fallen in love with Alaska and the Valdez community. We have been welcomed with kindness, and I feel incredibly fortunate to call this place home. I look forward to partnering with families, staff, and community members as we work together to provide every student with an exceptional education and the opportunities they need to thrive.

-Amanda Tippetts, GMS Principal