2022 Maine State Science Fair Brings Together Talented Young Researchers from Across Maine

Pictured (L to R): Ogechi Obi, a student from Bangor High School with James Crowley, a judge from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Students were thrilled to be back together in person to share their science and engineering projects at the 2022 Maine State Science Fair, held on Saturday, March 26, at Colby College.

This year’s Grand Award winners, who will represent Maine at the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair are:

First Place: Cuthbert Steadman of Bangor High School. Cuthbert’s engineering project used computer programming to create an inexpensive and non-invasive blood glucose monitoring and automatic insulin injection system.
Second Place: Emma Markowitz, a homeschooled student from Boothbay. Emma experimented with a non-invasive approach to treating White Line Disease in horses using poly-wrap and manuka honey.
Third Place: William Xu of Bangor High School. William developed a computer program that uses medical imaging to better diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.

The full list of awards, including over $875,000 in college scholarships and $1,800 in prizes from local and national organizations, is available on the Maine State Science Fair website.

Emma Markowitz, Boothbay

Nataly Fitzpatrick, Nokomis Regional High School

Amber-Rae Pesek of Hancock County Technical Center in Ellsworth

Ruth Havener, Medomak Valley High School

The event convened 144 students from 22 high schools and two home schools. Another dozen students participated virtually.

“After two years of virtual events, we’re glad we can give students a chance to meet each other and share their ideas and passion for STEM,” said Stefany Burrell of Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance. Laura Muller, her counterpart at The Jackson Laboratory, commended the students for their resilience, creativity, and perseverance as the event drew to a close. The two organizations were the presenting sponsors of the Fair.

For more information about the Maine State Science Fair visit the website.

Maine’s 2022 Presidential Awards State Finalists for Grades K-6 Mathematics and Science Teachers (PAEMST)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce five Maine educators who have been recommended to national selection committees for the 2022 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program for grades K-6.

PAEMST is the nation’s highest honor for teachers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM, including computer science). Nominees complete a rigorous application process that allows them to demonstrate deep content knowledge and their ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching environments. Maine applicants were reviewed by mathematics and science selection committees comprised of previous Maine PAEMST awardees and content area experts. Our state-level finalists will be honored at state ceremonies as soon as COVID-19 protocols allow.

Up to three state-level finalists for each content area are forwarded to a panel of distinguished mathematicians, scientists, and educators at the national level who will assess the applications before recommending nominees to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving STEM education. The teachers chosen to be Presidential Awardees will be notified by the White House, honored at various ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and will receive $10,000 from the National Science Foundation.

Join us in congratulating the 2022 PAEMST State Finalists and wishing them luck in the national selection process.

In the mathematics category, two applicants were selected as state finalists:

Katelyinne Green, Ella Lewis School, Steuben
Danielle Pelletier, CK Burns School, Saco

In the science category, three applicants were selected as state finalists:

Katie Coppens, Falmouth Middle School, Falmouth
Holly Trottier, CK Burns School, Saco
Jen Wright, Great Salt Bay Community School, Damariscotta

Nominations will open in the fall of 2022 for the 2023 PAEMST Awards. This round of awards will honor mathematics, science, and engineering (STEM, including computer science) teachers working in grades 7-12. Consider a great teacher you know for nomination this fall or nominate yourself! Learn more about the award and how to nominate a teacher here.

Foreign Language Association of Maine Announces Recognition Awards

As part of its work to promote and improve the teaching and study of languages and cultures of the world, the Foreign Language Association of Maine (FLAME) recognizes Maine educators and students annually for their outstanding work in a number of areas including student recognition, leadership, lifetime achievement, and their two teacher of the year awards, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Teacher of the Year and FLAME Teacher of the Year. They recently announced their 2022 award recipients.

FLAME Student Recognition Award

Sam Conner Self is a talented senior at Bangor High School, currently enrolled in AP Spanish: Language & Culture. However, they also study ASL at Bangor High School and German at the University of Maine at Orono. Their academic pursuits after school include Spanish Honor Society, Spanish Club, Math Team, Theater, Civil Rights Club and Young Democrats. Beyond these extracurricular activities, Sam has shown leadership in their roles as: Social Media Director of Students for Gender Equality, Co-president of Q+ Club, and co-organizer of the Maine Youth Power Voter Education Campaign at BHS.

They intend to study psychology with a minor in at least one language in college and envision creating a community center that provides counseling and other services from multilingual psychologists rather than solely relying on interpreters.

Richard Williamson Leadership Award

This award is given to a teacher, administrator, student, or community member for outstanding results in promoting the study of modern and classical languages in their community or region.

Skip Crosby has been a dedicated Spanish teacher in Maine for 29 years at the high school level, with nine years at the college level. His excellence in teaching has been recognized over the years, but especially in 2014 and 2015, as Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year and FLAME World Language Teacher of the Year.

Skip is well known for his dedication to supporting his teaching peers in a variety of ways. He is a true leader by welcoming other teachers and graduate students into his classroom without hesitation. Most significantly, he has coordinated the TCI Maine Conference since 2006. This “Teaching with Comprehensible Input” conference provides meaningful and accessible professional development to teachers across New England by inviting nationally and internationally recognized experts on TPRS and CI.

Sister Solange Bernier Lifetime Achievement Award

This award was named after a well-loved and well respected French teacher, whose career spanned more than six decades. It recognizes the career-long accomplishments of those who are approaching retirement and who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and leadership throughout their careers as modern and classical language teachers.

Susan Dana of Cape Elizabeth Middle School is this year’s recipient. She is a National Board Certified Spanish Teacher who has been a language educator for 39 years, 30 of which have been in Cape Elizabeth. In the late 1990s she started the Foreign Language in Elementary School (FLES) program in Cape Elizabeth. In 1996 she was the FLAME teacher of the year, and she has been the recipient of numerous grants and scholarships, including a Fulbright Teacher Exchange to Uruguay in 2013. Susan has led service trips through Safe Passage in Guatemala with Cape Elizabeth High School students, and has engaged her students in many social justice projects and endeavors. Her students have participated in events such as Global Collaboration week, Journey North, and connecting with Peace Corps Volunteers. She also helped her students develop community and global connections with projects such as bookmarks for the public library, decorated grocery bags for the supermarket, valentines for hospital patients, pen pals, the Peace Corps’ World Wise School Program, video exchanges with Spanish speaking students, and a “New Mainers: Hear our Story” Program.

English Speakers for Other Languages (ESOL) Teacher of the Year

Farrah Giroux of Westbrook School Department was selected based on her demonstration of leadership in the field of ESOL, both on the board of Northern New England TESOL, serving terms as treasurer, vice president, and president, and locally in her community at Westbrook Middle School where she holds the position of Instructional Leader for the ELL Team. Farrah is a champion for educational equity, promoting an asset-based orientation, high expectations, and equitable opportunities for students learning English. Farrah skillfully leverages the WIDA English Language Development standards to bring principles of equity into practice for herself and the colleagues she supports.

FLAME Teacher of the Year

Each year at its annual conference, the Foreign Language Association of Maine (FLAME) recognizes those who have achieved outstanding results in teaching modern or classical languages.

This year’s recipient is Deb Backman from Cony High School. Deb is not only a fantastic language teacher, but an asset to her school community. Deb has served on the League of Innovative Schools Leadership Team, her District Curriculum Mapping Leadership Team, and was a class advisor for many years. At the state level, Deb has served multiple times as President of the Maine Chapter of American Association of Teachers of German (AATG), Webmaster and Treasurer. Since 2015 she has organized the annual Maine AATG Awards Tea at the Blaine House which recognizes German language students’ achievements, including on the National German Exam. Deb also helps organize an annual student immersion day (Sprachfest), in conjunction with German faculty at Colby College and co-organized several annual week-long K-16 Deutsche Woche in Bar Harbor immersion seminars for educators from the entire US.

She has served on the most recent Steering Committee for the review of the Maine State Learning Results for World Languages and currently serves on the Maine DOE World Language Advisory Council. As a result of Deb’s hard work, Cony High School is one of 13 German Government-designated US PASCH partner schools and serves as a beacon for other German programs. Her students have studied food waste with German entrepreneurs who started a zero packaging store in Berlin, worked with a German technology company who taught students to program mini-computers, and with a German singer/songwriter to write and produce an original song.

To learn more about FLAME’s awards visit their website. For further information, reach out to FLAME.

March 13-March 19, 2022 is Child & Adult Care Food Program Week!

The Department of Education is excited to share that Maine Governor Janet T. Mills has issued a proclamation that March 13 to March 19, 2022 is Child & Adult Care Food Program Week!

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program that provides reimbursement for healthy meals and snacks served to eligible children and adults. The CACFP supports Child Care Centers, Family Daycare Homes, At Risk Afterschool Programs, Adult Day Centers, and Emergency Shelters. Here are some great stories about what is happening.

Sheila Nevells, Food Service Coordinator from Deer Isle Stonington Elementary School serves a supper meal at their At-Risk Afterschool Program. “Children are offered a good meal before heading home in the late afternoon. They are not left at home waiting for a parent to get home from work. Their minds are engaged in activities involving learning, fun and exercise…”

In 2021, despite the worldwide pandemic, CACFP operators in Maine served over 5,142,071 meals and snacks to those in their care.

Amanda Pulos, Director of Bethel Kids Care in Westbrook shared, “The Child and Adult Care Food Program has allowed my center to be able to feed and provide nutritious foods to all my children that might not have the opportunity to do so at their homes. I provide care for mostly low-income families so some of these kids only get nutritious meals at daycare. And that is possible because of the CACFP.”

Cristen Sawyer, the Food Program Coordinator from Kennebec Valley YMCA Childcare shared, “We will be celebrating all week with teachers utilizing the activity sheets and coloring pages provided on the National CACFP Week website, reading books about healthy eating, and, on St. Patrick’s Day, we will build and present a large fruit rainbow from which each child will choose their favorite fruits for a custom-made kebab at snack time.”

The Maine Department of Education Child Nutrition team would like to thank all the sponsors, centers, and providers for the amazing work you do every day for Maine’s children and older adults!

For more information on CACFP or to become a CACFP Institution please visit: https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition/programs/cacfplanding.

Nominations Open for Maine School Nurse of the Year

The Maine Association of School Nurses has opened nominations for the Maine School Nurse of the Year (SNOY) 2022-23.

This award recognizes an outstanding school nurse for their contributions to the school and community they serve. The award provides recognition to an individual who demonstrates leadership in six areas of practice: care provision, program management, health education, professional development, community involvement, and research.

The individual selected will receive a $500 cash award and be recognized at the July 2022 Maine School Nurse Summer Institute.

The application deadline is April 25, 2022. The completed nomination packet must include: Nomination Form, reference letters (3-5) with at least one from administration, curriculum vitae, and a written report addressing the six content areas. Submit the original and 3 copies by April 25, 2022 to SNOY Coordinator Erin Taylor at etaylor@capeelizabethschools.org.

If you know a school nurse who inspires you with their dedication to their school community, please consider nominating them for this prestigious award!

For more information, please visit the MASN website.

Philip Rossetti Named a National Assistant Principal of the Year Finalist

The Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) announced that Maine Assistant Principal of the Year, Philip Rossetti, Assistant Principal of Windham High School, is a Finalist for the National Assistant Principal of the Year. He will be honored by the MPA at its annual awards banquet at their Spring Conference on April 29th at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

The announcement highlighted Rossetti’s belief that people make mistakes, but it’s what they do after that defines who they are. He’s used this principle to transform how Windham High School manages student behavior, focusing on restorative justice to hold students accountable and repair the harm they caused their school community. This restorative approach has improved school safety and reshaped school culture, fostering stronger relationships between students and turning mistakes into opportunities to learn.

Reflecting on Rossetti’s selection as a 2022 NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year Finalist, MPA Executive Director Dr. Holly Blair noted, “It is exciting that Mr. Rossetti has been recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) as a finalist for the National Assistant Principal of the Year. This is the first time that Maine has had a finalist in the program. Mr. Rossetti is an exceptional Assistant Principal and very much deserving of this honor. We are very proud of him.”

Rossetti started his educational career as a social studies teacher at Windham High School in 1996. In 2015, Mr. Rossetti became the Assistant Principal of South Portland High School before returning to Windham High School 2016 where he continues to serve as Assistant Principal. He is a member of the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Maine’s National Board Certified Teachers Honored in Virtual Pinning Ceremony

“When I look at each of your faces, I get so excited because I am looking at the best examples of reflective changemakers in the state. I am hoping tonight, you realize how much power you have as an educator and your role as change-maker,” said Hillary Hoyt, National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT), 2021 Waldo County Teacher of the Year, and 2022 Maine Teacher of the Year Finalist. Hoyt was the keynote speaker at the February 7, 2022 virtual pinning ceremony honoring and recognizing Maine’s new and renewed NBCT’s.

This week, 16 educators were celebrated for being newly certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. These outstanding educators join more than 400 teachers across the state who have undergone this highly reflective professional learning experience, including 32 of their colleagues who were recognized for renewal of their National Board Certification this year.

The pinning ceremony was hosted by the Maine Education Association (MEA) and the National Board Certified Teachers Network of Maine (NBCTs of Maine). Among those in attendance to celebrate were family members, colleagues, administrators, fellow NBCT’s, state legislators, and Maine Department of Education staff. Education Commissioner Pender Makin; Deputy Commissioner Daniel Chuhta, MEA President and NBCT Grace Leavitt; NBCTs of Maine Chair and NBCT, Heidi Goodwin; Membership and Outreach Coordinator and NBCT Matt Madore; NBCT and Treasurer Susan O’Brien; and Keynote Speaker Hillary Hoyt, NBCT all shared words of admiration and congratulations.

The journey to National Board Certification, described by Maine educators as rigorous, personally reassuring, and professionally rewarding, requires nearly 400 hours of time and effort to achieve. Educators must submit a detailed portfolio that includes examples of student work, video recordings of classroom teaching, a reflection piece focused on student assessment and learning, and demonstrated mastery of the content of their chosen certification area. This evidence must meet the Five Core Propositions and the National Board Standards, a body of knowledge that is maintained by teachers. Practicing teachers, through a peer-review process, assess the portfolios.

Grace Leavitt, MEA President and NBCT reflected on her personal journey to become certified, then addressed the honorees, “You must truly be the most remarkable of most remarkable. Not only did you take on the challenge, but you persisted despite the fact that we have been in a global pandemic for two years.”

Commissioner Pender Makin, just returning from a memorable day in Windham added, “What a complete honor to be able to close out my day in celebration of you. You each thought, ‘I am going to stretch myself to my absolute limit, dig in deep and engage in this process.’ I am in absolute awe of your work, commitment, of your professional integrity and fortitude that got you through this experience. Thank you to everyone for everything you do for your students and the profession!”

NBCT’s and Professional Learning Facilitators Heidi Goodwin and Jennifer Dorman led this year’s pinning ceremony. Attendees each had the opportunity to introduce themselves and be “pinned” by a family member or friend at home.

Closing out the evening, Susan O’Brien shared, “This evening we witness 16 newly certified NBCT’s. Tonight you witnessed 32 veteran NBCT’s being honored for renewing their certificates. These are reflective educators who are forever learning, improving, and leading. I am proud to share a screen with those who go above and beyond with their sparkling pedagogy and engaging content!”

In pursuing and achieving National Board Certification, the following teachers have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their students, schools, and districts. Please join us in congratulating them!

16 New National Board Certified Teachers:

Name	District	School	Grade/subject	NB Certificate Achieved
Wyndee Mocciola Grosso	Westbrook	Saccarappa School	1^st Grade/all	Generalist/Early Childhood
Carolyn Nichols	RSU 1	Morse High School	11 & 12 Biology	Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Mary Carbone	n/a	Thornton Academy	High School Science	Science/Early Adolescence
Joseph Carbone	n/a	Thornton Academy	High School Science	Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Jessica Cardosi	n/a	Thornton Academy	High School Science	Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Alice Ford				Generalist/Middle Childhood
Jodi Bisson	RSU 22	Earl C. McGraw	2^nd Grade/all	Generalist/Early Childhood
Meagan Mattice	Augusta Public Schools	Gilbert School	Kindergarten/all	Generalist/Early Childhood
Stacy Jardine LaBree	RSU 22	Reeds Brooks Middle School	English and Math	English Language Arts/Early Adolescence
Elizabeth Carlson	RSU 21	Kennebunk High School	Language Arts	English Language Arts/Early Adolescence
Kathryn Giampetruzzi	Lewiston Public Schools	Connors Elementary School	ELL Coach	English as a New Language/Early and Middle Childhood
Krystle Catell	MSAD 28	Camden-Rockport Middle School	Special Education Teacher Gr 5	Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
Garrett White	Scarborough Schools	Scarborough Middle School	Art Gr 6-8	Art/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Kassandre (Kassie) Dwyer	Athens Public Schools	Athens Community School	Gr 6 – 8	Social Studies- History/Early Adolescence
Becky Marks	RSU 12	Windsor Elementary School	Gr. 1	Generalist/Early Childhood
Eva Platt	Portland Public Schools	Multiple schools	Library Media Specialist	Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood

32 National Board Certified Teachers who achieved “Maintenance of Certification” (MOC) – (This is the new “renewal process” for NB)

Name	District	School	Grade/subject	NB Certificate Maintained
Valerie Dominski	RSU 51	Mabel I Wilson School	Gr 3/all	Generalist/Early Childhood
Maureen Driscoll	RSU 51	Mabel I Wilson School	Library Media Specialist	Library Media/Early Childhood – Young Adulthood
George “Rad” Mayfield	RSU 34	Old Town HS	Science 9 – 12	Science/Adolescence –& Young Adulthood
Megan Bendson	Five Town CSD	Camden Hills Regional High School	Social Studies 9 – 12	Social Studies/History Adolescence & Young Adulthood
Troy Wagstaff	RSU 26	Orono High School	School Counselor	School Counseling Early Childhood – Young Adulthood
Denise Allen	MSAD 51	Greely High School	Health/ Science 9 – 12	Health Education – Early Adolescence – Young Adulthood
Blair Atherton Bacon	Portland Public Schools	Lincoln Middle School	Teaching Strategist	Literacy: Reading Language Arts, Early & Middle Childhood
Jessica Sleeper Rosado	RSU 21	District-wide	ELL Teacher	English as a New Language: Early and Middle Childhood
Paula Bourque	Augusta Public Schools	Multiple Schools	Literacy Specialist	Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood
Maureen Cooper	Augusta Public Schools	Gilbert School	Gr 1 – all	Generalist/Early Childhood
Caroline Eldridge	Augusta Public Schools	Hussey School	Gr 2 – all	Generalist/Early Childhood
Brenda Longway	RSU 10	Mountain Valley Middle School	Gr 7 – 8	Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early childhood through Young Adulthood
Tonya Prentice	Tremont Public Schools	Tremont Consolidated School	Science/Gr 5- 6	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Jena Kerns	Portland Public Schools	Longfellow School	Gr 1 -2/all	Generalist/Early Childhood
Danielle Waite	Millinocket Public Schools	Granite Street School	Gr 1 – all	Generalist/Early Childhood
Heather Girsa	Millinocket Public Schools	Stearns Jr/Sr High School	Math	Math/Early Adolescence
Tracy Vassiliev	Bangor Public Schools	James F. Doughty School	Science & Applied Science	Science/Early Adolescence
Jennifer Boehmer	Bangor Public Schools	James F. Doughty School	English, Gr 6	English Language Arts/Early Adolescence
Heidi Bullen	RSU 44	Crescent Park School	Gr 3/all	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Brenda Wight	RSU 44	Crescent Park School	Gr 2/all	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Alice Lee	RSU 44	Crescent Park School	Gr 2/all	Generalist/Early Childhood
Renee Charette	RSU 44	Telstar Middle School	Gr 8/math	Generalist/Middle Childhood
Gina Lavoie	RSU 44	Crescent Park School	Gr 2/all	Generalist/Early Childhood
Michelle Fraser	Wiscasset Public Schools	Wiscasset Middle/High School	English Composition Gr 9 & 10	English Language Arts & Young Adulthood
Molly O’Guinness Carlson	Wiscasset Public Schools	Wiscasset Middle/High School	Special Education Teacher 7 – 12	Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood – Young Adulthood
Lori Fowler	Lewiston Public Schools	Montello School	Pre-K/all	Generalist/Early Childhood
Robyn Rose	Lewiston Public Schools	Montello School	Special Education Gr 4 – 6	Exceptional Needs Specialist/early Childhood – Young Adulthood
Sara Lucas	RSU 11	Helen Thompson School	Gr 2/all	Generalist/Early Childhood
William Hinkley	RSU 40	Medomak Valley High School	Algebra Gr 10 – 12	Mathematics/ Adolescence – Young Adulthood
Nancy Coty	Wells	Wells High School	Health Education 9 – 12	Health Education/Early Adolescence – Young Adulthood
Kevin O’Shaughnessy	Wells	Wells High School	Psychology, World After 1945 9 – 12	Social Studies – History/Adolescence – Young Adulthood
Cara Colgan	Westbrook	Saccarappa School	Gr 4/all	Generalist/early Childhood

National Board certification is voluntary and open to all teachers who have at least three years of classroom experience and a bachelor’s degree. Certification is available in 25 certificate areas, from preschool through 12th grade.

Maine offers an annual salary supplement for teachers who have achieved National Board Certification and scholarships to support up to 30 teachers, annually, in attaining National Board Certification.

Contact information for National Board Certification in Maine:

NBCTS of Maine:

Heidi Goodwin: nbct.heidi@gmail.com

Susan O’Brien: nbct.susan@gmail.com

Maine Education Association:

Grace Leavitt: gleavitt@maineea.org

Maine Department of Education:

Emily Doughty: Emily.doughty@maine.gov

Maine Teachers and School Staff Highlighted on News Center Maine as part of 2022 #LoveTeaching and #LoveSchoolStaff Campaign

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and News Center Maine have partnered on a two-week campaign to highlight the amazing work of Maine teachers and school staff. This marks the second year in a row for the partnership, with News Center Maine airing video clips of people working in Maine schools, talking about where they work and why they love what they do.

Starting on Valentine’s Day, the first day of the national #LoveTeaching campaign, and running through February 27^th, the videos feature Maine’s education workforce in all regions of Maine working in the many different roles in Maine’s schools. Video messages from teachers will air on News Center Maine’s morning and evening news shows from February 14th – 20th and video messages from school staff videos will air the week of February 21st – 27th.

“Teachers and school staff do heroic work each and every day to teach, nurture, feed, transport, coach, and support our young people,” said Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “And they’ve overcome enormous challenges throughout the pandemic to provide the education and support students need. Teachers and school staff are our heroes and we’re thrilled to partner with News Center Maine so that teachers and school staff can talk about their schools, students, communities, and what drives their passion to work in our schools. And they can get some love from their communities in return.”

During the campaign, News Center Maine will also be soliciting videos from community members across Maine, inviting them to celebrate their local teachers and school staff members, thanking them for all their hard work. Students and their families, as well as fellow educators, are encouraged to give a video shout out to say, “Thank you!” and send along to News Center Maine. One can share a video by:

Using the Near ME tool of their mobile app
Texting them to 207-828-6622
Posting them on social media and using the hashtag # LoveTeaching or #LoveSchoolStaff

Be sure to watch News Center Maine, WCSH 6/WLBZ 2 now through February 27^th to see the faces of the amazing people working to educate young people in our state and hear from students and families who are sending in their messages of appreciation and love.

Videos will continue to be added here once they are highlighted on the air.

Maine Celebrates School Counselor of the Year with a Surprise Assembly at Alfred Elementary

Pictured left to right: Kelly Weaver, MESCA Board chair; Jaclyn Chaplin, Counselor of the Year; Nicole Breton, MESCA board of Directors

The Maine School Counselor Association (MESCA) recently announced the 2022 Maine School Counselor of the Year as Jacklyn P. Chaplin, the School Counselor at Alfred Elementary School in RSU 57. The Maine School Counselor of the Year Award (SCOY) is a program of MESCA that honors school counselors who are running a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at either the elementary, middle, or high school level.

“I strongly believe that a school counselor plays an important role in helping students have a positive school experience,” Mrs. Chaplin wrote. She has advocated for the profession and supported students through a comprehensive and data-driven model. She has implemented aspects to create a 5th grade Peer Helper Program. “This leadership program has several components that provide fifth graders with an opportunity to be role models in the school while also enhancing their leadership, decision-making, empathy, and communication skills,” Chaplin said.

Mrs. Chaplin earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine and obtained her master’s degree in counselor education from Rivier College. She has been working as a school counselor since 2004. She has been at Alfred Elementary School since 2005 and has also been the school counselor at Shapleigh Memorial School and Lyman Elementary School in RSU 57.

“Jackie serves all stakeholders for the greater good of our community. I say community as opposed to school because she has single-handedly helped to make Alfred Elementary a second home for all, where every student and staff member feels safe and at home,” said Mrs. Poulin, the Principal of Alfred Elementary.

Mrs. Kim Raymond, the school counselor at Leroy H. Smith School in RSU 22, was Maine’s 2021 SCOY and was recently honored in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Chaplin will have several speaking engagements and event appearances in the year ahead. She will be invited to a formal Gala in Winter 2023 and honored at the American School Counseling Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in Summer 2023.

The Maine School Counselor of the Year is announced as part of National School Counseling Week (#NSCW), celebrated annually during the first full week in February. This year, the Maine School Counselor Association has events planned from February 7 through February 11th to celebrate National School Counseling Week. For more information, view the MESCA website.

Please contact MESCA Board Chair Kelly O’Brien Weaver for more information: kweaver@rsu22.us.

President Biden Honors Two Maine Teachers with Highest U.S. Award for Science and Mathematics Teachers

This week, President Joe Biden named 104 teachers as recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) for the 2020 awards cycle. Among the awardees are two outstanding Maine K-6 science teachers: Michele (Mickie) Flores who teaches at Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School in Deer Isle and Cindy Soule who teaches at Gerald E. Talbot Community School in Portland.

Mickie Flores is in her 36th year of teaching and currently teaches 6th and 7th graders at Deer Isle-Stonington where she alternates years of instruction between a focus on life science, physical science, and earth science. Flores was also the 2015 Hancock County Teacher of the Year through Maine’s Teacher of the Year Program

Cindy Soule is in her 20th year of teaching with all but one year in Portland. She began her career in special education and shifted to being a classroom teacher nearly fifteen years ago. She is currently a 4th grade teacher. Soule is also the 2021 Maine Teacher of the Year and 2020 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year through Maine’s Teacher of the Year Program.

The PAEMST award was established in 1983 and each year the awards criteria alternates between kindergarten through sixth grade and seventh through twelfth grade teachers. Award recipients represent schools from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools, and the U.S. territories.

Nominees complete a rigorous application process that allows them to demonstrate deep content knowledge and their ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching environments.

A panel of distinguished mathematicians, scientists, and educators at the state and national levels assess the applications before recommending nominees to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving STEM education.

The National Science Foundation (NSF), which manages PAEMST on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), provides each recipient $10,000. Award recipients also receive a certificate signed by the President. For more information, please visit www.paemst.org.