Mary Adley, Coordinator of State Agency Programs and Special Projects, is the Maine Department of Education’s Employee of the Week. Get to know a little more about Mary.
Q: What are your roles with DOE?
A: I am the Coordinator of State Agency Programs and Special Projects. My team provides oversight to educational programming for State Wards and State Agency Clients, which includes the General Supervision System of Monitoring for Maine’s approved Special Purpose Private Schools. My team also offers special education technical assistance, professional development, and support to Maine educators, students, and families. My team coordinates the Surrogate Parent program for State Wards. I work collaboratively with the Department of Corrections and the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate services for Maine’s children in their departments care or custody. The coordination of special projects is new to me and my team, effective the last week in March, when Tracy Whitlock begins at DOE as the Education Specialist III, to manage the projects. We look forward to continuing the facilitation of the Math4ME and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports projects.
I serve as Maine’s Co-Lead on the Results-Based Accountability cohort, along with Roberta Lucas, working with the National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) regarding tiered monitoring with development and movement towards implementation based on integrating Maine’s data in the current primarily compliance monitoring system.
I serve as a Co-Chair, along with John Coyne from the Department of Corrections, on the Project IMPACT Board. Project IMPACT staff coordinate the provision of special education services to students who are detained with their schools of residence and facilitate the educational transitions of youth in the juvenile justice system back to their communities. I also work collaboratively with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, as the Governor appointed Department of Education Representative on the State Rehabilitation Council.
Q: What do you like best about your job?
A: I love that I continue to work with the incredible educators that serve Maine’s most vulnerable youth, and that I am able to be part of collaborative conversations and transformational work that improves special education and related services for Maine’s children. In addition, I like the variety of situations I encounter within my roles and responsibilities – no two days (or scenarios) are the same; so there is never a chance for boredom to set in.
Q: How or Why did you decide on this career?
A: I worked as an educator in Maine for three decades, as a special educator and an administrator in both the public and the private sector, prior to joining the Department. I was the Education Director at Spurwink’s Chelsea Day Treatment Program for two and a half years before I came to work at DOE. Having been through the audit process with glowing reviews in both of my times working at Special Purpose Private Schools (1996-2002 and 2014-2017), it seemed like a natural progression to pursue when I was informed of my predecessor’s retirement. I love that I am able to impact the education of Maine children in a larger scope than my previous positions afforded.
Q: What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
A: When I am not working, I love to spend time making memories with family members and friends – travel, spend time outside soaking up the sunshine, hike, read, and attend concerts and theater productions.