Maine DOE team member Morgan Dunton is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Morgan in the brief question and answer below.
What are your roles with DOE?
I am the English Language Arts Specialist with responsibility for grades 6-12. I am part of the Standards and Instructional Supports Team and I also work with the Assessment Team as needed. Another responsibility for the position is to act as a regional representative to the Midcoast Superintendents region – this is West Bath to Searsport!
What do you like best about your job?
My favorite part of the job is providing continuous learning opportunities to educators. I am passionate about literacy and the power that comes from expression, whether it is taking in information and experiences or sharing the results of research, adventure, or reflection. I also like building relationships with people who come back again and again. We think of every student in our class as “our” children and I think of every teacher who relies on me for support as one of “my” teachers.
How or why did you decide on this career?
I taught my first class when I was six years old – I was visiting my grandmother’s class and she helped me develop and deliver a lesson plan. She felt I was born to teach. When I was in the 11th grade, I went to Girls State and served as moderator of my town and chair of the platform committee. This showed me how much I like the behind-the-scenes work we do as it has great impact on our state without the spotlight or intrigue that comes from being in the spotlight. I describe my position as having one foot in policy and one foot in practice. I think I was headed in this direction all along.
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I learned to knit a couple of years ago. It was the third time I tried and the first time I found success. I have knit at least 100 hats, several of which can be worn by humans! I have 7 grandchildren who are constantly entertaining and always up to something. I also like to play cribbage and a variation of Canasta and of course, I am a prolific reader.