AARC Tip of the Month | August 2020 | View as Webpage


The AARC is excited to be back for the fall! Keep an eye on our Facebook page and newsletter for information on physical reopening and changes. In the meantime, you can still access our services! See below or watch this video for more information.
How to Connect With Us During COVID-19
Virtual Resource Consultation
  1. Email aarc@sesa.org or complete our contact form to request an appointment or information. It is helpful to include when you might be available. 
  2. Our team will reach out about scheduling. 
  3. When your appointment is scheduled, we will send you information for your virtual appointment. You may call via phone or log into videoconferencing.
Virtual Training
  1. Complete a training inquiry form.
  2. Our team will reach out about scheduling your training or a meeting to discuss your needs further.
  3. We will provide all necessary information and materials to access the training.
Material Requests
  1. Complete the material request form.
  2. Materials will be mailed to you from our office per safe mailing protocols.
Stay Up to Date!
  1. Sign up for the Tip of the Month newsletter (at the bottom of our resource page)
  2. Follow us on Facebook for free open training and event updates!
SESA Library
The SESA Library is loaning materials by mail!
Libraries and other institutions have learned more about how long the coronavirus lives on different materials, and we are taking steps to be sure that loaning materials can be done as safely as possible. 

  • For most materials that have been tested, the virus is gone after three to five days, by simply just sitting untouched.
  • When SESA sends out library materials, we put on a mask and gloves, and wipe down the hard surfaces with disinfectant. Then the paper transmittal form is generated from the printer, and it is only handled while wearing a mask and gloves. The materials are taken from the library to the staging area downstairs. It will be at least the next day before materials are packed.
  • After the materials are packed, it will be at least the next day before they are picked up by the post office, and then there will be a few days before the box reaches the borrower.
  • You can let the box sit for three days before opening it. Or you may open it, and set the materials aside for a few days. Wash your hands after handling the box, just as you would for handling any mail that you receive.
  • At this point, over five days should have passed since the box was packed. 
  • In the testing that was done on library materials, those that still had the virus on them after five days are hard surfaces that can easily be cleaned with disinfectant. And we are wiping down packaging, covers and any other hard surfaces before we send materials out on loan, and the materials are also sitting for several days.
  • In addition, many materials have been sitting, untouched, on the library shelves for weeks or longer. Staff will always wear masks in the library.
  • When materials are returned, they are wiped down and sit for a couple of days before they go back on the shelf.
  • Testing of materials is ongoing. For more information, you can go here: https://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/realm-happening-now.html
  • For additional information please visit this site: https://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/test3-results.html

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the SESA Librarian, Anne Freitag, at afreitag@sesa.org, or 907-334-1301. 
Meet Our Team
Aimee Smith - Rodriguez
Program Coordinator & Autism Resource Specialist
Aimée Smith-Rodriguez is originally from Oregon and has lived in Alaska since 2013. She joined the AARC as an Autism Resource Specialist in August 2017. Aimee has an M.A. in Teaching with a focus in upper elementary/middle school general education and music, as well as a post-graduate endorsement in special education. She is currently completing a graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. 

Aimée has been involved in the field of education for 14 years as a volunteer, paraprofessional, and teacher, and has worked with individuals with autism since 2009. She has taught and/or provided support in a variety of classroom settings, including self-contained, inclusion support, and as a general education teacher. Aimee has also worked as a camp teacher for the Willamette Awesome Academic Adventures and Special Arts and Literacy Camps.

She has a passion for working with students and families to increase students' accessibility to education, and to the world around them. In her spare time, Aimee also works as a professional music composer.
Kendra Wolf
Autism Resource Specialist

Kendra relocated to Alaska from Minnesota in 2016. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She later returned to the University of Minnesota to earn her Master’s of Education in Early Childhood Special Education with a focus in early intervention across cultures and individualized routine-based instruction for families. 

She began working as a SESA Autism Education Specialist in 2016. She has spent the last four years traveling to rural and remote areas of the state to provide support and training to school districts servicing students ages 3-21 with autism spectrum disorder.

Kendra is very excited to be joining the AARC team, she is looking forward to providing support and autism education to families throughout Alaska. When Kendra is not in the office you are most likely to find her outside fishing, hiking, or paddle boarding.

April Vanderlinden
AARC Program Assistant
April has worked at SESA since June 2018 and joined the AARC in August 2020. She was born and raised in Alaska. Special education has been a great interest of hers.
She had several friends with disabilities in school and loved helping them with their class and extracurricular activities.

April volunteered with a hippo therapy and therapeutic riding center in Georgia. She cared for the horses, helped teach the kids how to get ready for riding, and assisted the therapists and riding instructors with their lessons.

She is excited to be working with the AARC and learning more about autism. She enjoys being outdoors, fishing, and exploring Alaska. She also loves doing martial arts and painting.
Anne Freitag
SESA Librarian


Anne Freitag has lived in Alaska since 1971. She has worked at the SESA Library from 1991-2001, and again from 2003 to the present. Other library experience has included cataloging and young adult librarianship.

Anne received her master's in librarianship and information management from the University of Denver, and also has degrees in computer information systems, English, history, and technology.

When not working, she enjoys reading, gardening and making things.
STAY CONNECTED

Alaska Autism Resource Center | 866-301-7372 | aarc@sesa.org |www.AlaskaARC.org