Maine DOE team member Karen Bergeron is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Karen in the brief question and answer below.
What are your roles with DOE?
I work on the Early Learning Team and direct the Preschool Development Grant. This grant, a collaboration with DHHS, is allowing the state to study it’s Birth-5 mixed delivery system to learn about strengths and needs in early childhood care and education as well as family supports and services. The Needs Assessment was recently completed and the current focus is on completing a strategic plan to help plan for the future of the system.
What do you like best about your job?
I enjoy working with people across the B-5 sector and learning more about the great programs and organizations across the state. Additionally, as I come from early childhood education and social services, working with children up to 5, I am also enjoying learning more about the DOE and PK-12 education.
How or why did you decide on this career?
I become really interested in child development when I was in college. For several years after, I worked in a variety of child care settings before returning to school for a Master’s in Child Development. I then went on to work in Early Intervention and Home Visiting, enjoying the work of supporting the family as well as the child. When the opportunity to work on this grant, it felt like a great fit, so here am I.
What do you like to do outside of work for fun?
I feel most of my outside time is spent keeping up with my teenage children (14 and 18) and attending all their sporting, music, and school events. When there is true down time, I like to hike, alpine ski, hang out at our camp and getting together with friends and family.