From left, Mason, a seventh-grader, Ashli Mackey, an O&M instructor, Devaughn, an eighth-grader, and Kim Conlon, an O&M instructor, wrap up an ice fishing lesson at Sand Lake in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photos courtesy of Kim Conlon.)
On a frigid February morning in Anchorage, a small group of middle school students inched carefully across a frozen lake. Bundled in borrowed boots with ice grippers and layers of extra warm outerwear, they moved deliberately through the ice fog toward a single fishing hole. The students — all visually impaired — relied on mobility canes and detailed verbal guidance to navigate the slick, expansive white surface.
This unconventional learning experience epitomizes Kim Conlon's approach to Orientation and Mobility (O&M) instruction — a methodology she developed through her O&M certification at Portland State University and continues to refine in the challenging rural landscapes of Alaska. As one of just a handful of certified O&M professionals in the state, Conlon ‘19 has made it her mission to transform how visually impaired students experience and navigate the world.
A Career Shaped by Experience
Originally from the East Coast, she first discovered the field as an undergraduate student at Northeastern University, setting her career in motion. "My very first internship was at a school that had a couple students who were blind and deaf-blind," she recalls. That experience launched her on a journey dedicated to supporting students with visual impairments, initially as a certified teacher for the visually impaired and later as a state consultant in New England.
When Conlon arrived in Anchorage 16 years ago, her path took an unexpected turn. Unable to immediately find a position in the blind and visually impaired department, she adapted by working as a life skills teacher for high school students. Four years ago, she transitioned to her current role as an O&M instructor, serving students from pre-K through high school across Anchorage — a school district spanning an area larger than Rhode Island.
The challenges of her work are significant. Many of her students are the only visually impaired individuals in their schools, which can feel isolating. To address this, Conlon and her colleague Ashli Mackey ‘23 — a fellow PSU O&M graduate — began organizing monthly group outings to supplement individual student sessions.
This socialization, the opportunity to meet and support one another, can be a game changer for her students. “It helps them realize they’re not alone,” she explains. “Typically, these kids are not using their mobility canes during the day, because they don't want to be seen as different. But when they are with their peers who also use mobility canes, it's a lot easier to get them to use them.”
From left, Mason reels in a rainbow trout; Glenn Hart of the National Park Service offers instructions to help visually impaired students learn to ice fish; and Devaughn baits his hook with shrimp.
Ice Fishing as a Classroom
Conlon’s role goes beyond teaching navigation; she empowers visually impaired students to explore, understand and move confidently through diverse environments. The ice fishing expedition emerged from a creative collaboration with the National Park Service, Anchorage Park Foundation and the Bureau of Land Management — a masterclass in sensory learning.
Where visual cues might typically guide an activity, Conlon's students learned to rely on touch and description. The fishing instructor carefully guided students, using vivid descriptions to help them trace fishing lines, detect fish nibbles and position their hooks correctly.
"Instead of saying 'hold the fishing pole like this,'" Conlon says, "he had to be incredibly descriptive. 'Trace your hand along the edge of the pole and follow the line down to find the hook.'"
For students accustomed to being the only person in their school with a mobility cane, the group experience was affirming. They discovered community, shared experiences and innovative ways of interacting with their environment.
Beyond the immediate thrill of catching a dozen rainbow trout, the expedition reinforced critical mobility skills: safely walking on ice using specialized grippers, adapting mobility cane techniques for different terrains, building confidence in unfamiliar environments and understanding personal safety in challenging weather conditions.
Two students, both from Yu’pik Native communities, took their catch home — one sharing with a cultural studies teacher, another with his grandmother — connecting the learning experience to broader cultural traditions.
Innovative Mobility Training
Conlon’s resourcefulness as an instructor stems from both experience and training, particularly from her time at Portland State. “The O&M program at PSU taught me to think outside the box … to look beyond traditional skill sequences,” she reflects. "It's about understanding where students will travel and adapting teaching strategies accordingly."
Today, Conlon sees her work as preparing students for various levels of future mobility. Some might drive specialized vehicles, others might use public transportation or ride-sharing services. The ultimate goal remains consistent: maximum independence and engagement with the world.
The ice fishing project exemplifies this philosophy — transforming a seemingly simple activity into a rich, multisensory learning experience that extends far beyond traditional educational boundaries.
When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Conlon's answer is simple yet profound. "Every day is different,” she says. “I'm out and about in the community, looking at each student to determine what their maximum travel skills could be, and then thinking about getting them to that level.”
Through experiences like ice fishing, she is proving that mobility training isn’t just about getting from point A to point B — it’s about opening up a world of possibilities.