Qualifications
Completed an accredited course of study, including Praxis Exam for Math, Reading and Writing, and 5-month student teaching requirement, for Alaska Teacher certification in 2003. Teaching certificate renewed until 2019. Earned Master’s Degree in Education (UAS) in 1989. I have succeeded in many career endeavors, approach life challenges as opportunities, use an educational model to teach at the appropriate developmental stage, promote a positive image by example, and strive to build collaborative relationships among team members, disenfranchised people and fellow lifelong students.
Work History
Being semi-retired, this work history begins at the beginning of my career instead of with current efforts as an Independent journalist/teacher.
Unsupervised Youth in Anchorage AK (1960s)
Anchorage Daily News on the Brink
December 1977 to November 1982: Donn Liston Enterprises/Pinnacle Publication Productions; starting as a cottage industry in Spenard subdivision of Anchorage, AK developed a publishing and public relations business consulting and producing newsletters and educational materials for mostly non-profit association member participants. Some clients included: realtors, Homebuilders, Education Associations, Telephone Company Managers, Municipal Utilities, Labor Organizations, AK Oil & Gas Association, Mental Health Association, State agencies, ethnic organizations, business trade associations and political candidates for local and state elected office. I sold advertising and produced advertisements to support some of these publications. Sold business to take legislative aide position in Juneau.
Alaska’s Mental Health Crisis Predates Statehood
Today’s Solution is NOT Drugs, Drugs, Drugs…
Adventures in Juneau–You Cannot Know how Alaska’s Capital Works Without Going There
January 1983 to July 2000 Served as Legislative Aide to Rep. John Lindauer in the Alaska Legislature during the 13th session in Juneau, AK. After session I found employment working for non-profit corporations including the Association f Alaska School Boards two years (Database Tech surveying and publishing information about Alaska Public education in 50+ school districts) for use primarily in negotiations against teacher union locals. NEA-Alaska nine years as support staff in Juneau Headquarters office responding to teacher member needs and promoting the union’s agenda to the Alaska Legislature. During this time I earned my Master’s Degree in Education from University of Alaska Southeast. Alaska State Employees’ Association (AFSCME Local 52) Business Agent for multiple state departments in Southeast Alaska serving AK State employee members, always seeking increased funding for State workers, and promoting union expectations to officials we helped elect to public office.
Life Transitions: Alaskan Choices I Made
October, 2000 to April 2003: Substitute teacher, teacher’s aide, and recreation leader in various positions in the Juneau School District while taking coursework toward Alaska Type A Certification.
Who Cares about YOUR Kid’s Education?
A Challenge for Alaska Parents
Alaska’s Private Education Legacy:
The Unfortunate Demise of Tom Thumb Montessori Schools
October 1, 2004 to September 29, 2005: President, Montessori Creative Schools, Inc. and Superintendent of Tom Thumb Montessori Schools. Elected as corporation president in March 2004, I was selected tp assume administrative duties of the schools October 1, 2005, during a dispute between owners in a marital divorce. As the Municipality of Anchorage licensed administrator I managed the business, attempted to make meaningful organizational upgrades, and initiated efforts to restore the formerly abandoned authentic Montessori Program.
Leaving Juneau: My work for the Alaska Legislature ended in mid-April after 100 days.
August 2006 to May 2007: Classroom Teacher 6th Grade, Haines Borough School District and successful completion of Alaska Department of Education/University of Alaska first year teacher mentor program.
GED for ALL!
…it’s not just for “Drop-outs.”
July 2007 to December 2017: Nine Star Enterprises Adult Basic Education/GED instructor. I taught ABE classes four years in the Anchorage Mt View neighborhood after having worked two years as a High School Completion (NCLB) for Nine Star/Nenana School District, for all students. Between October 2008-June 2009, produced 10-page monthly Teen Beat newsletter for the program. I taught Math, Language Skills, Science,, and Social Studies for the GED Test (GED.com) year-round as weel as ABE college/training preparation in Wasilla.
Q: Why must THE MOB attack Sen. Reinbold?
January 10 to April 19, 2017: Session-only Legislative Researcher to Rep. Lora Reinbold in Juneau. I supported the Representative from Eagle River in whatever tasks needed to be done including preparation for floor sessions and research for committee meetings.
Devastated by Cancer
Imagine the Worst that Could Happen…
Liston retired upon return to Anchorage with his wife of 29 years, Cathy Liston. They had resided in their Upper Canyon Drive home above Eagle River since 2011. She had stage IV cancer and died February 24, 2019. That home would become a likely target of Borden scammers, who violated Liston with lawfare. Bordens broke into that home, vandalized it and stole est $15,000 in money and valuables including RING Security System—assuring Liston would never expect to be safe alone in that home again.
Ultimately AK Judge Josie Garton ruled against Liston in the sham marriage confidence scheme and awarded nearly everything to Bordens include proceeds of sale of the home.
Transitions - Summer 2025
David Windsor is a reputable Alaska Realtor. He has assisted this writer in my own tumultuous transition from Alaska with the clothes on my back at the hands of Georgia crackers Bill, Brenda and Waneta Borden, dba High Caliber Realty, Inc. (sic). They targeted me through a complicated confidence scheme at the worst time of my life enabled by criminal-coddling AK Courts.
Thanks David!
Education
Brigham Young University, Spring Semester 2023. ENG 220 - Composing Personal History
University of Alaska, Spring Semester 2012. EDCN 4610 - Professional and Ethical Foundations of Counseling.
University of Alaska. 2001-2003. Five semesters and more than 40 credits through distance education program from all three UA Campuses, including education methods and practicum to gain K-8 certification.
University of Alaska Southeast: Master’s Degree in Education 1990. Completed numerous classes in automotive and educational technology as part of my coursework. Upon graduation I lacked only student teaching to qualify for Alaska Secondary Teaching Certificate in English and Social Studies.
University of Alaska, Anchorage, 1976. Fifteen credit hours graduate studies in Public Administration/Community and Regional Planning.
Alaska Methodist University (Now APU). 1974. B.A. degree with double-emphasis in Sociology and English Literature.
Recognition
Nominated by my students and colleagues and awarded as a 2013 BP Teacher of Excellence!
