Commissioner’s Update – May 3, 2012

Maine’s 2012 Teacher of the Year, Alana Margeson, traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to join Teachers of the Year from across the United States in the nation’s capital. There, Alana and her fellow Teachers of the Year met and were recognized by Dr. Jill Biden, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, President Obama and others.

As Alana writes in this week’s Commissioner’s Update, she and her fellow Teachers of the Year were “treated like rock stars,” and they spent much of their time discussing how they can elevate the teaching profession and become a strong voice in public policy at the local, state and national levels.

I hope you enjoy reading Alana’s reflections on her time in Washington, D.C.

Speaking of Washington, D.C., students from Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth high schools traveled there recently to compete in two prestigious science competitions: the National Science Bowl at the U.S. Department of Energy and the Real World Design Challenge, respectively. Thanks to our students for representing Maine so well.

— Stephen Bowen

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NEWS & VIEWS

The respect, prestige teachers deserve

I was surrounded by 53 innovative, inspirational and articulate educators from all over this nation last month during Recognition Week for all State Teachers of the Year. Our sponsors treated us like rock stars, complete with gift bags and a personalized chartered bus to take us all over Washington, D.C. By Alana Margeson | More

Video: Google features Wells-Ogunquit in ‘Search Story’

Google recently featured Wells High School junior Morgan Brewster and special education teacher Cheryl Oakes as part of its “Google Search Stories” series. The video shows how technology has allowed Morgan, who has a learning disability, to complete school projects and learn successfully on her own. | More

Falmouth, Cape students compete in national science challenges

Teams from Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth high schools recently participated in national science competitions in Washington, D.C., where they proved their problem-solving prowess. | More

Commission issues first request for charter school proposals

AUGUSTA – The Maine Charter School Commission announced Tuesday it will accept applications from potential charter school operators who hope to open schools for the 2012-13 school year. | More | Bowen statement on charter schools announcement