NACTEC STAFF

Doug Walrath

Director

Dr. Doug Walrath has been the NACTEC Director since 2009. His undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin-Stout was in Technology Education, and graduate work followed at Utah State University with a Master’s degree in Industrial Technology & Education, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. Doug is a former NASA Astronaut Selection Candidate and U.S. Army veteran of the Gulf War. He teaches Careers in the Military and enjoys all things outdoors with his childen, Dylan and Denali.

Chris Paskvan

CTE Teacher

Chris joined the NACTEC team in 2020 and teaches a variety of courses including Aviation, Design Technology, and Career Exploration. He completed his undergraduate work at Bemidji State University in Minnesota in Elementary Education. He also has a degree in Criminology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Chris previously taught a variety of grades and subjects in St. Michael for seven years. Chris enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and hunting.

Elena Malova

Dormitory Manager

Elena started working at NACTEC in 2008 as a house parent and currently serves as the dormitory manager. She loves swimming, roller skating, and cooking with the students and helping them through homesickness when the need arises. Elena was born in the city of Ivanovo, Russia and earned her Russian college degree in Business. Elena moved to Nome in 1997. She loves to travel, picking berries, wild mushrooms, and spending time with friends. Elena is married to Joseph Small, they have a son and three grandchildren.

Dr. Sophia Pantelis

STEM Teacher

Dr. Sophia Pantelis joined the NACTEC team in 2021 to deliver the PreK-12 Alaska Native Engineering Education Development project. She has a dual Bachelor of Sciences degree, a dual Master’s degree in PreK-Elementary and Special Education, and a Doctorate in Education. After completion of her graduate studies, Sophia worked with the U.N and UNICEF collaborative across developing countries, which led to government and private projects with various International Ministries of Education overseas. She enjoys trekking around with her family and you can catch them all out on the tundra sporting their Red Sox caps!

Demetrios Pantelis

STEM Teacher

Demetrios Pantelis joined NACTEC in 2021 as part of the team that will deliver the Engineering is Elementary curriculum program. After receiving a degree in Geography from the University of Buffalo, he worked jobs in banking and accounting in NY until following his heart into Education. Worldly travels have provided the opportunity to work with many grade levels from grade 5, to most recently, high school Science in Stebbins. Demetrios enjoys basketball, and reading and watching movies with his children. And like his wife, he enjoys trekking outdoors, but preferably with NY hats on.

Karen Keck

STEM Teacher

Karen Keck joined the NACTEC team in the spring of 2023 as a STEM itinerant teacher with the Engineering is Elementary program. She came to Nome from Kotzebue where she was employed by the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, UAF, and ANSEP. Prior to coming to Alaska Karen worked in agricultural research with the USDA and taught high school science. Karen has BS degrees in Botany and Zoology, a MS in Agronomy, an Ed. Specialist’s degree in Education Administration, and National Board Certification in Adolescent Science. Karen now enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for STEM education in our schools.