Pat Freymark, the governors appointee to the Professional Teaching Practices Commission, spoke to the Alaska House Education Committee on March 20 in the Davis Room about his teaching background and reasons for seeking the commission seat.

Freymark, who identified himself as a Fairbanks resident and longtime classroom teacher, said he began teaching after earning a bachelors degree in history and a masters in education from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and several years as a substitute. He told the committee he joined the Fairbanks Education Associations teacher rights team to support colleagues and that the experience exposed him to professional and ethical dilemmas that require balancing advocacy with student safety.

Everyone is entitled to be heard, that everyone is entitled to due process, and that even serious infractions can create opportunities for reflection and growth, Freymark said, describing how he approaches disciplinary and ethical concerns. He also said he recently completed coursework for a Type B administrative certificate and that he intends to remain in a classroom-teacher seat while serving on the commission.

Committee members asked Freymark how he counsels colleagues about difficult conversations with families and staff and about his experience with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). He said his approach is to assume colleagues are well intentioned, to seek to understand motivations, and to focus on clear expectations and relationships with students when addressing classroom management and behavior.

The committee opened and closed public testimony on the appointment without receiving in-person or online public speakers. Committee staff then prepared and signed the formal hearing report. Committee members were explicit on the record that the signature does not indicate a vote for or against confirmation at any later floor action.

The hearing proceeded without a confirmation vote. The committee recorded the conclusion of the hearing in accordance with a committee notice referencing Alaska standards 39.05 0.08 and moved on to other agenda items.