Ethan Brownell, at teacher at the Maine Central Institute (MCI), has been named the 2023 Maine History Teacher of the Year, an award presented annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to K-12 American history education.

Brownell has been teaching for 12 years – 10 of which have been at MCI where he currently teaches AP US History, AP US Government and Politics, Model UN, Sociology, and 11th grade American History & Government. Additionally, he advises the Model UN and Youth & Government and co-advises the tabletop gaming club.

Inaugurated in 2004 and now celebrating its twentieth anniversary, the History Teacher of the Year Award highlights the crucial importance of history education by honoring exceptional American history teachers from elementary school through high school. The award honors one K–12 teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and US Territories.

In addition to a $1,000 honorarium, Brownell receives a core archive of American history books and Gilder Lehrman educational materials, recognition at a local ceremony in their honor, and becomes one of 53 finalists for the 2023 National History Teacher of the Year Award. In fall 2023, ten finalists for the National History Teacher of the Year will be announced.

Brownell believes that teaching social studies “helps us examine the human experience in all its beauty and ugliness. History, geography, and civics help us to understand the world we live in and those we share it with. We learn critical skills to help us contextualize events and communicate with each other in a hyper-connected world. Also, it’s just fun to study the past and it’s stories. The more we know about human experience, the more interesting we, the world, and each other will be – it’s a beautiful feedback loop.”

“I love to talk about things that I care and that my students care about,” Brownell shared. “I have the privilege to teach a wonderfully diverse set of students, and it’s amazing to see them sharing their own experiences across time and space. Model UN and Youth & Government are amazing vehicles for this: seeing my students engage with others from around the state on vital issues past, present, and future makes me hopeful.”

Brownell is honored to be recognized through this award. “My first experience with the Gilder Lehrman Institute was at their Reconstruction summer institute with Eric Foner and Martha S. Jones. It was an amazing week doing one of my favorite things: being a student and learning in a collaborative atmosphere. It means a lot to be recognized by an organization that helped me so much in my own practice.”

In order to be considered for the History Teacher of the Year award, eligible teachers must first be nominated by a colleague, parent, or student. After receiving a nomination, teachers must submit a resume, teaching materials, and a letter of recommendation to be considered for the state award. History Teacher of the Year winners are selected by a committee of educators and education professionals in their state. For more information on the award process, visit the Gilder Lehrman Institute website.

Emily Poland from the Maine Department of Education (DOE) was recently awarded the Outstanding State School Nurse Consultant Achievement Award. This award is given by the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants (NASSNC) to recognize individuals making incredible contributions to the organization and to their profession.

The NASSNC presents this award to State School Nurse Consultants based on their involvement in research impacting the delivery of quality healthcare service in schools and their involvement in the development and passage of important legislation, policies, standards, or regulations relevant to school nursing. The awardee also serves as a resource expert and catalyst from the state level for the development and implementation of policies and school health programs that promote and maintain the well-being of students.

Emily has received this award for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the NASSNC organization and her dedication to the school nursing practice and programs. She has proudly served as a member of the NASSNC including serving on the Advisory Board and as the current Past-President along with chairing the Bylaws Subcommittee. She consistently provides leadership and guidance at the state and national levels, elevating school nursing practice and positively impacting thousands of staff, students, and families every year. She serves with grace and dedication as an expert in school health and works to expand infrastructure that supports school administrative units’ health services programs.

One example of Emily’s work is her collaboration with the Governor’s Opioid Task Force to pass legislation for the supply and use of Naloxone in a school setting. She has also helped improve the quality of school health screening programs by securing funding to support national certification for vision screening. She worked on upscaling supports to meet the needs of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included the expansion of access to school nursing services through telehealth in areas with limited school healthcare resources.

Emily continues to advocate for policies and programs to improve the delivery of health services in Maine schools while also providing individual support to school nurses throughout the state.

Emily was presented with her award on June 29th at the Summer NASSNC Membership meeting in Orlando, Florida. The Maine DOE is extremely proud of Emily and excited that her incredible work is being recognized and awarded.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) joins the Maine Curriculum Leaders Association (MCLA) in honoring Caitlin Dailey, Math Coach at Oxford Elementary School and Hebron Station School and K-6 Math Coordinator for Oxford Hills School District MSAD 17, as the 2023 Instructional Coach of the Year, and Christine Hesler, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for RSU 14, as the 2023 Curriculum Leader of The Year.

Caitlin Dailey
MCLA 2023 Instructional Coach of the Year

Caitlin Dailey, is currently the Math Coach at Oxford Elementary School, also supporting Hebron Station School as a Math Coach, and is the K-6 Math Coordinator for Oxford Hills School District MSAD 17.  Caitlin has been a coach for eleven years working in Augusta, Lewiston, and now MSAD 17.  Caitlin has a notable passion and expertise in math, a deep repertoire of tools and resources to offer, and is undoubtedly highly skilled in instructional strategies. She is equally interested in collaboration and willing to follow the needs and requests of the teaching staff.  Caitlin is highly effective while also humbly acknowledging that even as a coach, she is a learner alongside her colleagues as teammates. She not only leads teachers through coaching cycles but also is an active participant in the school’s PLC meetings, creating and sharing protocols.  In addition, Caitlin has collaborated with the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance to support teachers in implementing math interventions and spearheaded a multi-year district-wide professional development program. Caitlin believes that developing strong relationships is the key to a successful coaching model.  MCLA is proud to honor Caitlin Dailey as the 2023 Instructional Coach of the Year.

Christine Hesler
MCLA 2023 Curriculum Leader of The Year

Christine has been the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for RSU 14 since 2012. Since then, Christine has been instrumental in elevating practices in her district regarding curriculum and assessment transparency and continuing to support staff as they refine their instructional practices. From developing an instructional coaching model in RSU 14 to providing rich professional development throughout each school year, Christine has been an exemplary educational leader with a laser focus on students. Some of Christine’s outstanding work includes, leading the district’s remote learning team, utilizing technology to provide a high level of transparency and accountability as it relates to curriculum, instruction and assessment, and mentoring instructional coaches to maintain a focus on highly effective practices.  Christine consistently partners with her colleagues to reflect and refine processes and practices each year.  Not only has Christine excelled within her district but is always willing to share her knowledge with others.  Christine has led professional development for the Greater Sebago Education Alliance and continues to be an involved member of the Maine Curriculum Leaders Association. Christine’s enthusiasm and positive attitude are contagious, as every encounter with her sparks new ideas, a high level of professional collaboration, and unending support.  MCLA is pleased to honor and celebrate Christine Hesler as the 2023 Curriculum Leader of the Year.

For more information about the awards for the MLCA, please visit their website: https://www.mainecla.org/.

Nominations are now open for the LifeChanger of the Year Award, a national program sponsored by National Life Group that recognizes and rewards K-12 educators and school employees across the country. The program celebrates those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence, and leadership.

Click here to learn more about the criteria and to submit a nomination. Anyone can make a nomination (by name or anonymously).

To learn more about the program, visit www.lifechangeroftheyear.com.

The National Stem Cell Foundation and The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science have announced that Erin Hullinger, a science teacher from Bonny Eagle Middle School in Buxton, ME, is among ten teachers from eight states who have been selected to participate in the prestigious National STEM Scholar Program, a unique professional development program providing advanced STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) training, national network building and project support for middle school science teachers nationwide.

Created in partnership between the National Stem Cell Foundation and The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University (WKU), the National STEM Scholar Program selects ten teachers each year from a national pool of applicants based solely on the description of a “big idea” Challenge Project the applicant would implement in their classroom if funds were available. Selected projects are chosen for maximum impact in middle school classrooms where research shows lifelong STEM career decisions are being made. STEM Scholars convene on WKU’s campus for a week of advanced STEM training and finalize their projects with input from their STEM Scholar class colleagues.

The 2023 National STEM Scholar class will be hosted by The Gatton Academy from May 29th to June 2nd on the campus of WKU in Bowling Green, KY. The other National STEM Scholars include:

• Laura Cummings, Haleiwa, HI – Sunset Beach Elementary School
• James “JJ” Frye, Leitchfield, KY – Grayson County Middle School
• Emily Harer, St. Paul, MN – Global Arts Plus – Upper Campus
• Patricia “Pati” Huntington, San Diego, CA – Farb Middle School
• Jennifer “Jenny” McCall, Lexington, KY – Winburn Middle School
• Michele Mitnitsky, Sanibel, FL – The Sanibel School
• Teresa Robertson, Munfordville, KY – Munfordville Elementary School
• Sarah StCyr, Sulphur, LA – W.W. Lewis Middle School
• Kandice Taylor, Jackson, MS – Brinkley Middle School

Studies show that middle school students who become excited about science are the ones who will pursue STEM courses in high school and major in them at the technical and college level. At a pivotal time in decision-making that will open or close the door to opportunity, however, nearly 50% of 8th graders in America lose interest in pursuing the STEM-related subjects increasingly required for 21st-century jobs.

Now in its 8th year, there are 80 National STEM Scholars representing middle schools in 33 states. 91% teach in public schools, 41% teach in mid- to high-poverty schools and 38% teach in communities with a population under 15,000. A unique requirement of the program is the responsibility for STEM Scholars to share lessons learned with colleagues in their home schools, districts or states, magnifying impact over multiple classrooms and years. By June 2023, National STEM Scholars will have directly and indirectly impacted more than 104,000 middle school students in the U.S.

For more information about the National Stem Cell Foundation, visit their website: www.nationalstemcellfoundation.org.

For more information about The Gatton Academy their website: https://www.wku.edu/academy/