Maine DOE Team member Danielle Despins is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Danielle in the brief question and answer below.
What are your roles with DOE?
My role on the Career and Technical Education team is varied but my primary responsibilities include conducting two school reviews, the Comprehensive School Review and Methods of Administration review, providing schools with professional development opportunities, and providing schools with guidance around issues of equity and civil rights.
What do you like best about your job?
I find it most rewarding to know I’m helping schools and teams of educators along their path of professional development, encouraging out of the box thinking, and helping to create mindfulness regarding various populations and their needs.
How or why did you decide on this career?
My past life was in Human Resources. I realized what I loved the most about my role at the time was helping others get to the next platform of their career journey. So, I went back to school for my Masters in Adult and Higher Education. This role marries my passion for career development and love of education.
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
My undergraduate is in art so creating is, and always will be, a big part of who I am and how I identify with the world around me. I also spend much of my free time goofing off with friends, family and my pup Mr. Copperpot, (shout out to all you crazy Goonies lovers).