Koniag Education Foundation

LaRita Laktonen

Employment: Program Manager at Cook Inlet Native Head Start
Education: A.A. Social Science; B.S. Kinesiology (emphasis in teaching/coaching), Minor in American Indian and Alaska Native Education
Location: Anchorage, AK
Contact e-mail: LLaktonen@cinhs.net
Other Interests: Education, Public Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, Early Childhood Education, Beading, Contemporary Alutiiq Jewelry

I am from Kodiak Island, the village of Larsen Bay. I grew up in a large commercial fishing family, my mother a teacher and my father an Alutiiq carver. I have a beautiful five year old daughter, Ravenna, who has had the opportunity of attending Early Head Start and Head Start. My educational background is in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology with an emphasis in Physical Education. I graduated from Humboldt State University in Eureka, CA from the Indian Teacher and Educational Personnel Program also studying American Indian and Alaska Native Education. For the past four years I have worked for Southcentral Foundation as a Health Educator promoting exercise, nutrition, tobacco cessation, and injury prevention. I have had the opportunity to work closely with providers in a clinical setting, speak and train at various functions, work one on one with Native customer owners, and teach various classes. I have a passion for art, children, and culture. I love that I have had the opportunity to work now at Cook Inlet Native Head Start because it is a positive place for our Native Families to realize and reach their potential. I love hearing success stories and assisting staff and families in problem solving and process improvement to make our center and services better.

Contact LaRita Laktonen

KEF students may contact this Mentor at LLaktonen@cinhs.net.