The WDS Teaching team is a diverse group of educators from many perspectives and walks of life. One common denominator you will see in our educators is that they all share a passion for life-long learning. All of them split their schedule at Chugiak with WDS classes and traditional classes. Their schedules change year to year, but for the most part you can expect to have each teacher for at least one full year if you are in WDS for four years.
Mackenna Handeland, English, Co-Chair
Mackenna started at Chugiak in 2019 after teaching at East High for three years. She joined the WDS program in her first year and loves the style of learning and her role as a facilitator rather than a lecturer. She has a bachelors in English with a minor in Writing from Oregon State University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Western Oregon University.
She has lived in Alaska since 2016 and made the jump out to Eagle River in 2021. She loves not having a commute anymore! In her spare time, Mackenna volunteers with Alaska Cat Adoption Team and fosters kittens and cats in her home. She is also the Drama, Debate, + Forensics Coach, and eSports Coach.
Mackenna currently teaches WDS Sophomore English, WDS English IV, Student Government, and Yearbook. She has been the co-chair of WDS since 2022.
Alyssa Logan, Social Studies, Co-Chair
Alyssa joined WDS in 2020 during her 5th year at Chugiak. She has been an excellent addition to the team and brings a huge knowledge base to the program with her passion for all things United States. She lives in Eagle River with her husband, who is also an educator, and her two daughters.
Alyssa recently completed her Master of Arts in American History and Government from Ashland University as the result of the James Madison Fellowship Program. She also has a Master of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelors in history from UAA.
Alyssa serves as the National Honor Society adviser and the Model UN Coach. She currently teaches WDS Econ and WDS Government (each 1 semester in a full-year program), as well as AP US History, AP Gov, and traditional Gov. She will be piloting the first WDS Freshman Academy Career Explorations course in the Fall of 2024.
She became the new co-chair of WDS in 2023.
Brian Mason, Biology
Brian graduated from Chugiak in 1996 and has been teaching at Chugiak since 2007. He joined the Seminar program in 2018, when WDS Biology was added to the course options. He received his Bachelors in Biology in 2001 and his Masters in Teaching in 2006 from UAA. He lives in Eagle River with his two sons, who are both WDS students. They also have a black golden doodle and two cats (who he blames Ms. Handeland for daily)! You can find Brian often walking up Baldy after school. During the summer, Brian works as a commercial fisherman in Prince William Sound and enjoys camping, flying, and exploring with his sons.
Brian was recently honored as a recipient of a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Ambassadorship and was able to spend time in Washington DC this past summer, learning and advocating with other biology and environmental science teachers. He will be facilitating professional development workshops for other science teachers across the country on a regular basis in the years to come. Having Brian represent Alaska in this way has been a huge honor for Chugiak.
Brian currently teaches WDS Biology, as well as traditional Biology and AP Biology.
Dallan Petersen, Social Studies
This is Dallan’s third year at Chugiak and in the WDS program. We are so excited to have him join us after teaching at Gruening and Hanshew Middle Schools. He has a bachelors degree from BYU and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Western Governor’s University.
Dallan is also a huge history buff and has had extensive experience with studying historical archive documents and research. He lives in Peter’s Creek with his wife and three adorable daughters, who keep them busy.
Dallan is currently teaching WDS World History (Sophomores), WDS Alaska Studies (Freshmen), and traditional US History and Economics.
Karis Sena, English
Karis joined WDS in 2023. She hails from the faraway land of Indiana, but has lived in Alaska since 2007. She graduated from Houghton College in 2006 with bachelors degrees in Secondary Education and English. She spent her first four years in Alaska teaching in the Bering Strait School District in the villages of Unalakleet and Koyuk. She now lives in Chugiak with her wife of 11 years, two awesome kids, and dog Harley, the goodest girl. She enjoys all things outdoors, especially hiking, trail running, gardening, and camping adventures with her family. Her favorite genres are historical nonfiction, historical fiction, contemporary literature, and occasionally a good classic. There is just no possible way to pick a favorite.
Teresa Harrison, WDS Counselor
Mrs. Harrison is excited to join the CHS counseling team. First and foremost, Mrs. Harrison is a graduate of Chugiak High School! She was heavily involved in Mustang activities, including volleyball, drill team, swing choir, and cheer.
After obtaining her degree in education, she spent time in the classroom teaching every grade level, including high school technology. After continuing her education, she enjoyed 14 years as a school administrator and later obtained her counseling credential, which is her self-proclaimed dream job.
Mrs. Harrison has two adult children and has been married for 30+ years to her Chugiak High senior prom date and high school sweetheart. She has two dogs and loves everything outdoors and adventure, including hiking, skydiving, skiing, and her most recent excursion floating the Colorado River rapids in the Grand Canyon this summer.
Mrs. Harrison takes a proactive and positive approach to counseling and is looking forward to coming full circle back to CHS. Her motto is, “Mindset is everything. “
You can check out her website here!
Claire Torbensen-Armstrong, Emeritus
Claire has recently transitioned from the classroom to the counseling office here at Chugiak.
She has been at Chugiak since the start of the 1998-1999 school year and been in the Seminar program nearly her whole career. She has seen the program grow and evolve throughout the last twenty-five years and is a huge advocate for the learning community we have created. She received her bachelor’s from the University of Iowa and graduated in May 2023 with her Masters of Education in School Counseling from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Claire has lived in Alaska since 1998 and loves being outdoors and spending time with her husband and son, who is currently a Senior in the program. She also serves as the advisor for the Chugiak GSA club.
Stephanie Thornton, Emeritus
Stephanie has transitioned from the classroom to the Chugiak Library. She was a WDS teacher for 13 years and served as the Co-Department chair for 8 years. She still teaches Psychology as an elective, but many WDS kids have flocked to it because they enjoy her teaching style. She continues to support the program in a variety of ways and is planning some educational travel that is open to all Chugiak students but will likely be comprised of many WDS students.
Stephanie received her bachelor’s and Master of Arts in Teaching from UAA and is Nationally Board Certified Teacher. Stephanie is also a published author and avid traveler. She lives in Eagle River with her daughter, who is a Senior in the WDS program.
Anna McGlocklin, WDS Principal
Anna serves Chugiak as the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and recently became the special programs principal for WDS. She helps provide support for WDS and advocates for us on a school-wide level. She has lived in Alaska for 15 years and has been a principal for 6 years. This is her fourth year at Chugiak after being principal at Alaska Native Charter School for two years. She taught as a physical education teacher with Anchorage School District for 7 years prior to becoming an administrator.
She lives in Eagle River with her husband and two awesome children.
Chugiak World Discovery Seminar Program 