Retchenda George-Bettisworth, DSW, MSW is Clinical Professor, and Statewide BSW Rural Cohort Coordinator. She has been working in the field of social work for over 20 years, focused in the areas of child welfare, work-force retention, and social work education and administration. Dr. George-Bettisworth is committed to providing access to quality higher education for students in rural and remote areas, and culturally relevant practice for all individuals. 

Dr. LaVerne Xilegg Demientieff is Deg Xit’an (Dene) and her family is from Holy Cross and Anvik, Alaska. She currently resides in Fairbanks, Alaska, and is working as a Professor in the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bachelor of Social Work program where she has taught since 2006; she is also a licensed master social worker through the State of Alaska.  LaVerne is a statewide trainer on the topics of historical trauma and historical wellness, adverse childhood experiences, resilience, trauma informed care, and healing centered care. LaVerne is very active in learning and teaching her Deg Xinag language, she facilitates a weekly Deg Xinag language learning group and is interested in the connection between Indigenous language revitalization and well-being. LaVerne’s research interests focus on looking at how cultural and traditional practices contribute to individual, family, group and community resilience, health, healing, and wellness, specifically with the Indigenous people of Alaska. 

Teaching Statement: 
My teaching philosophy is grounded in the 5C’s framework (Compassion, Connection, Community, Curiosity, and Ceremony). The 5C’s derived from Indigenous Elder and Ancestral wisdom and experience passed down and shared with me throughout the course of my life. It is with deep gratitude and good intention that I share these ways of knowing and being. It is my belief that love, reciprocity, sharing and caring, and relationality belong in the classroom and academia as a whole; as well as that we bring our whole selves safely to the classroom so that we can be authentic and present and engaged. When we learn about how trauma impacts our mind and bodies we are more compassionate with ourselves and others. When we are curious about what causes pain and grief we can help to create connection and ceremony for healing. Healing happens when we are in our bodies and in relationship to others and our community.