Seeking Nominations for Foreign Language Teacher of the Year – 1/15 Deadline

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. The FLAME Advisory Board invites you to nominate one of the many excellent language teachers who practice their profession here in Maine!

What are the criteria for nomination?

Nominees must have at least two years of FLAME membership.
Nominees must have a minimum of five years experience in teaching modern or classical languages.

Who may make a nomination?

A FLAME member
A teaching colleague
A school administrator

What is the procedure?

The nominator must submit a letter of nomination, including information about the nominee’s

Address, telephone number and email address
Teaching assignment
Educational background
Teaching experience
Special achievements, honors or awards

The nominator must include his or her contact information (address, telephone number and email address)

The nominator must arrange for submission of letters of recommendation from the following:
At least one colleague (not necessarily a modern or classical language teacher)
At least one supervisor (principal, head of department or superintendent)
At least one former or current student

In making its decision, the FLAME Advisory Board will consider the following kinds of evidence:

How has the nominee demonstrated best practice?
How has the nominee contributed to the teaching and learning of a modern or classical language?
What are some teaching practices and activities that the nominee uses to improve students’ language proficiency and motivation?
What kinds of professional growth activities (including travel relevant to teaching) has the nominee participated in?
How has the nominee served the students, the school or the school district?

The nominator must arrange for delivery of all documents to Christopher Gram, FLAME Awards Committee Chair, Carrabec High School, P.O. Box 220, North Anson, ME 04958. The postmarked deadline for submission is January 15, 2021.

For additional information, contact Christopher at: cagram@carrabec.org or (207) 635-2296.

Thoughts from a Virtual Session with 2020 National Teacher of the Year Tabatha Rosproy

On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, the Maine Department of Education welcomed 2020 National Teacher of the Year Tabatha Rosproy for a virtual question and answer session with Maine educators. Joining from her home in Kansas, Tabatha introduced herself and greeted a group of early childhood educators from the public, private, and special education sectors in Maine and beyond.

Ms. Rosproy spent the one-hour session discussing early childhood topics of interest in Maine, as well as responding to questions from participants. Tabatha’s honesty and passion for the field was evident through her down-to-earth and personable demeanor with session participants. By the end of the hour, it was apparent that Maine and Kansas aren’t all that different. And, although early childhood education has gained some traction nationally, there is still room for growth.

Key takeaways from the session included the value in making connections with colleagues and families, promoting classroom inclusion, and growing school leadership. Tabatha also emphasized the importance of early childhood educators “bring(ing) their seats to the table.” She encouraged each educator to, “Be an advocate for your students and get involved in your classroom, school, district and state.” She went on to inspire educators to think of leadership as an “activity, not a position.” Tabatha suggested it takes courage to do the right thing but that educators should feel empowered to be advocates, not reliant on individuals in positions of power. She also reminded participants that early childhood is not just the early grades of public school, but birth through eight years old. This time in a child’s development is critical and special. and they need a whole system of supporters, not just teachers.

When interacting with families, Tabatha shared that engagement and communication are crucial to building positive relationships and learning atmospheres. “Think of it like a bank account, you make deposits and withdrawals. The deposits are those positive daily comments about each child. The withdrawals are the occasional conversations of concern and goals for growth. Let’s make regular deposits!”

By the end of the hour, participants were thankful for Tabatha’s insights. While Tabatha has many doors open for her now, she shared she “has a hard time not seeing herself in the Pre-K classroom.” When asked what final advice she has for early childhood educators, she responded, “Keep speaking up! In some way, keep using your voice.”

For more information about Tabatha Rosproy and CCSSO’s National of Teacher of the Year Program, visit https://ntoy.ccsso.org/. You can also follow Tabatha on social media at: @NTOY20 on Facebook, @NTOY2020 on Instagram, and @TabathaRosproy on Twitter.

Any questions or comments about this opportunity can be directed to Nicole.madore@maine.gov.

MEDIA RELEASE: RSU 38 Students Create Ornaments for National Christmas Tree Display in Washington, D.C.

RSU 38 Students Create Ornaments for National Christmas Tree Display in Washington, D.C.

Students from 56 schools across the country, including Maine Regional School Unit (RSU) 38 serving Maranacook area students, have designed one-of-a-kind ornaments for the 2020 National Christmas Tree display on the Ellipse in President’s Park. These unique ornaments will adorn 56 smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree. The trees represent each U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia as part of the America Celebrates ornament display. This year, several ornaments from each school will also be displayed inside the White House.

“We are so proud of Visual Art Educator Nicole Blake and her students in RSU 38 for their dedication to creating original-design ornaments for both the state of Maine tree and the tree that appears in the Blue Room of the White House,” said Jason Anderson, Maine DOE Visual and Performing Arts Specialist.

The America Celebrates ornament program is a collaboration of the National Park Service (NPS), the U.S. Department of Education and the National Park Foundation (NPF). The U.S. Department of Education worked through state art and education offices, which identified elementary, middle and high schools to participate in the America Celebrates program. The project is funded by the NPF.

From state flowers to notable landmarks, students created ornaments that celebrate their state, district or territory. Students from RSU 38 pictured with the the ornament they designed can be seen below:

56 schools designed ornaments for the 2020 National Christmas Tree display in President’s Park:

Alabama: Shelby County High School
Alaska: IDEA Homeschool
American: Samoa Lupelele Elementary School
Arizona: Pinnacle High School
Arkansas: Wooster Elementary School
California: Riverside STEM Academy
Colorado: Meeker High School
Connecticut: Berlin Public Schools
Delaware: Newark High School
District of Columbia: Columbia Heights Education Campus (CHEC)
Florida: Port Salerno Elementary
Georgia: Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School
Guam: Agana Heights Elementary School
Hawaii: Governor Wallace Rider Farrington High School
Idaho: Mountain Home High School
Illinois: Richland County Community Unit School District
Indiana: Brown County High School
Iowa: Karen Acres Elementary School
Kansas: Rolling Ridge Elementary School
Kentucky: Dishman-McGinnis Elementary School
Louisiana: Parkway Elementary School
Maine: Regional School Unit #38
Maryland: Hyattsville Middle School
Massachusetts: All Saints Academy
Michigan: Brimley Area School District
Minnesota: St. Alphonsus Catholic School
Mississippi: Terry High School
Missouri: Nixa Public School
Montana: The Polaris School
Nebraska: Chadron Public School
Nevada: Damonte Ranch High School
New Hampshire: Amherst Middle School
New Jersey: Delaware Township School
New Mexico: Harrison Schmitt Elementary School
New York: Champlain Valley Educational Services
North Carolina: West Buncombe Elementary School
North Dakota: Kindred Public School District
Northern Mariana Islands: Grace Christian Academy
Ohio: Liberty Tree Elementary School
Oklahoma: Jenks High School
Oregon: Howard Street Charter School
Pennsylvania: Neshaminy School District
Puerto Rico: Escuela Dr. Francisco Hernández y Gaetán
Rhode Island: Frank E. Thompson Middle School
South Carolina: J.G. McCracken Middle School
South Dakota: Hill City High School
Tennessee: Beaumont Magnet Academy Elementary School
Texas: Caldwell High School
U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Croix Educational Complex High School
Utah: Union High School
Vermont: Milton Town School District
Virginia: Appomattox Regional Governor’s School
Washington: Tukes Valley Middle School
West Virginia: Robert L. Bland Middle School
Wisconsin: St. Thomas More High School
Wyoming: West Elementary School

The America Celebrates display is one of the highlights of the National Christmas Tree experience. The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was held virtually on Thursday, Dec. 3, you can see a recording of it at thenationaltree.org. This year’s show featured the recorded lighting of the National Christmas Tree, holiday performances and more.

Since 1973, the National Christmas Tree has been a living tree which can be viewed year-round in President’s Park – one of America’s 422 national parks! A 30-foot Colorado blue spruce currently serves as the National Christmas Tree.

###

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE Farm to School Cook-off Takes on New Format

people cooking in industrial kitchen — Competitors cooking the 2019/2020 Cook-off.

AUGUSTA –The Maine Department of Education, Child Nutrition team is holding its annual Farm to School Cook-off in SY 2021 as usual, except this year it will look a bit differently. The cook-off is a statewide culinary competition for teams of school nutrition professionals and students to promote local foods in school meals. This voluntary competition is made available to all school districts in the state.

On a “typical” year, the cook-off would involve three regional competitions that take place in locations across the state (including CTE culinary arts centers), and a finals competition in the Child Nutrition Culinary Classroom. To adapt to these ever-changing times, the format for the 2021 cook-off will be as follows:

Round 1– virtual cook-off (March 2021). Teams will submit videos of their breakfast and lunch meals to be posted on the Child Nutrition website, where voting will take place. The top three teams will advance to round 2.

The video presentation will include details on local ingredients, techniques used, feasibility, and anything else the team would like to share.

Round 2– final cook-off (May 2021). The top teams will compete in the Child Nutrition Culinary Classroom in Augusta! The 2021 Farm to School Cook-off champion will be awarded a plaque and the opportunity to be spokespeople in the 2022 cookbook. Please note all necessary precautions will be taken, including face coverings and social distancing of teams in the culinary classroom. The Child Nutrition team will be monitoring any changes needed to this format to ensure the safety of all participants.

Each team will prepare a breakfast and lunch meal within a specific time frame using at least three ingredients that are grown, raised, caught, or manufactured in the State of Maine and meet Summer Food Service Program meal requirements as well as one USDA food. Local eggs and local parsnips will be used as “challenge” ingredients in the competition. All recipes will later be shared in a Maine farm to school cookbook to be used in future summer meals programs.

Interested school districts can find more information and the link to register on the Maine Child Nutrition website. The registration deadline is December 18, 2020. For more information on Maine’s Farm and Sea to School program, visit https://www.maine.gov/doe/farmtoschool.

Honoring RISE Award Finalist Debra Baldacci From Bangor

Deb Baldacci is a devoted Lunch Accountability Clerk at Fruit Street School in the Bangor School Department. She was recently nominated for the RISE Award and honored by the Maine Department of Education (DOE). The RISE Award (Recognizing Inspirational School Employees ) honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service.

“Mrs B, as she’s affectionately known as, commits to memory the names of each student, their sibling, teacher and preferences for food choice. She gently encourages students to do their best and make healthy choices. She notices everything and seeks out counsel when wondering about one of her students changes in behavior.”

“As a specialist in the school, I know that if I have a student who comes to my office saying they had no time for breakfast, I can take that student to her office to work out how to solve that problem. She will without hesitation stop what she’s doing to show care and concern for any child, whether that be asking if they need more breakfast, or notice something special about a student.”

“She looks to fill any needed training for her staff by sharing with them information within the school day process that they might to need know. She takes it upon herself to see that tasks are completed even if they are not specifically assigned to her or her staff.”

“Everyone knows Ms. B. I have students that years later, I might see, and they will ask about Ms. B. She has put everyone as a priority so that they consider her to be the safe harbor when times are difficult, and they seek out to share good news. She’s our rock.”

When asked about her job, this is what Deb had to say:

“I feel very fortunate to work at Fruit Street with such a wonderful staff and students.”

RISE Award nominations were submitted from across the state by local educational agencies, school administrators, educators, professional associations, nonprofits, parents and community members this fall. More information on the Maine RISE Award can be found here the national RISE Award can be found here.

Honoring RISE Award Finalist Andrew Hutchins From Mt. Blue

Andrew (Andy) Hutchins is a dedicated Food Services Director for Regional School Unit 9 in Mt. Blue. He was nominated for the RISE Award and honored by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) as a finalist. The RISE Award (Recognizing Inspirational School Employees ) honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service.

Amanda Barry, Theresa True and Cindy Fortier, colleagues and community members nominated Andy for the award. Here are a few of their thoughts about him:

“No matter how busy he is he is always going to every school in our district to make sure everything is all set and making sure things are running as smooth as possible. When faced with a problem he is quick to resolve. He is committed is roll as Food Director of RSU 9.”

“He excels in everything. He is generous and patient. He has a calming demeanor. Has an excellent can do attitude that spreads to his employees.”

“When COVID reared its ugly head in March Andy was there pushing, working all hours to make sure that we all had a plan to be able to make sure we would be able to get meals to our community children. We had handfuls of volunteers within a day.”

“He is a pleasure to work for/with, the way he treats and acts around people make it easy for people to want to lend a helping hand when there is more work to be done.”

“He is an amazing human who is always pushing forward for the best for the students and his employees.”

When asked what he loves most about his job, this is what Andy had to say:

“School nutrition programs provide such an essential service in our communities. I am blessed to lead a team of foodservice heroes who deliver that service every day with a smile.”

Honoring RISE Award Finalist Susan Lombardo From Westbrook

Susan Lombardo is a hard-working Ed Tech at Congin School in the Westbrook School Department. She was recently nominated for the RISE Award and honored by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) as a finalist. The RISE Award (Recognizing Inspirational School Employees ) honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service.

Katlyn Preston and Angela Pecoraro, colleagues from school, nominated Susan and Principal Jennifer Mull-Brooks endorsed the nomination. Here are a few thoughts they shared about Susan.

“Susan Lombardo is a compassionate, caring, and dedicated educator who goes above and beyond each and every day for her students in the K-4 functional life skills classroom. She demonstrates a warmth and loving presence towards her children (with various developmental delays) as she helps them navigate their daily routine so they can grow to become independent and productive citizens.”

“Sue teaches her children the importance of grit and perseverance and she is determined to help them succeed no matter what their disability is. Sue always treats them with respect and kindness, no matter what challenges are being presented on any given day. She does all this with a contagious smile and great sense of humor.”

“A common phrase is “I want to be Sue Lombardo when I grow up” amongst the younger teachers. Everyone you talk to will tell you “she’s amazing! She’s so patient and so kind but firm. I don’t know how she hits the balance just right.”

When asked what she loves most about her job, this is what Susan had to say:

“This job started as a long-term substitute position when my youngest child started school and turned into a job that brings me more rewards than I could ever have imagined. I am considered a teacher to these special children who live with autism; however I find that I learn so much from them. Each child is unique, presenting strengths and challenges in their learning. My job is to not only help them learn and socialize to the best of their abilities, but to advocate for them and teach others about what they need to succeed.”

Honoring RISE Award Finalist Rebekah Stephens From Lewiston

Rebekah (Becca) Stephens is a hard-working Ed Tech at McMahon Elementary School in Lewiston Public Schools. She was recently nominated for the RISE Award and honored by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) as a finalist. The RISE Award (Recognizing Inspirational School Employees ) honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service.

Rebecca Fournier, a colleague nominated Becca. Here are a few thoughts from Rebecca about why she nominated Becca.

“Becca demonstrates that Ed Techs are skilled professionals, by lesson planning, implementing curriculum, and being a liaison between the community and school for parents and families.”

“Becca is a part of the after-school programming at McMahon- through 21st century and routinely engages in community and school activities. She is actively involved in many committees including the Union and helped create a clothing closet for students in need in our school.”

“Becca garners support from our school administrators due to her exemplary work. Many coworkers seek Becca out for her advice on Union and family/community matters.”

When asked what she loves most about her job, this is what Becca had to say:

“What I love most about my job is the growth I get to see in my students. Not only academically but socially and emotionally. I also enjoy making connections with students and working with the students one on one.”

Honoring RISE Award Finalist Jim DuDevoir From Auburn

Jim DuDevoir is a dedicated School Custodian at Sherwood Heights Elementary School in the Auburn School District. He was recently nominated for the RISE Award and named a finalist by Maine Department of Education (DOE). The RISE Award (Recognizing Inspirational School Employees ) honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service.

Breann Crocker, an educator at Sherwood Heights Elementary nominated Jim. Here are a few thoughts from Breann about why she nominated Jim.

“Jim goes above and beyond to help everyone at school. From moving furniture, fixing sinks, hanging curtains, whiteboards, and more, he is always there when we need him.”

“Jim makes it a point of coming to school events. He helps get everything set up for these community events ahead of time and cleans up after.”

“He comes in on the weekends if a teacher is having an issue with the school alarm. He comes in at all hours to fix water leaks and anything else that needs repair. He makes sure we are safe and well taken care of in our school.”

“Everyone in our building loves Jim because he truly shows he cares about everyone. He is always there when we need him. He never complains and he makes it so that we can focus on teaching the children and not have to worry about the building itself. Our school would not be what it is without him.”

When asked what he loves most about his job, this is what Jim had to say:

“Here at Sherwood, I feel like I make a difference. I do my best to keep things running smoothly for the staff and help out as much as I can. If they don’t have to worry about all the little things, then they can concentrate on teaching the kids, and that’s why we’re all here: to make sure the kids get what they need.”

Honoring RISE Award Nominee Bonnie Fortin From Moscow

Bonnie Fortin is a dedicated Administrative Assistant for Moscow Elementary School in MSAD 13. She was recently nominated for the RISE Award and selected by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) as one of Maine’s Nominees. Her story was submitted to the U.S. Department of Education for consideration for the national level RISE Award. The RISE Award (Recognizing Inspirational School Employees ) honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service.

Wendy Belanger, a colleague from MSAD 13 nominated Bonnie for the award. Here are a few thoughts from Wendy about why she nominated Bonnie.

“Bonnie is someone that is always willing do the extra. We are a very small district and I often ask Bonnie to make posters, signs, coversheets, etc for district plans, handbooks. She prepares district staff and student handbooks on an annual basis. She monitor’s the Moscow school budget to the penny. We have completed many parent survey’s in last 6 months regarding internet connections, free meals, etc. Bonnie takes the time to call each parent to ensure that the district has accurate data.”

“Bonnie organizes our school food pantry. She coordinates with the local town food bank to distribute our leftover food so they may share it with the general community. She has even taken food donations to local elderly resident. The students look to her for security and comfort.”

“Bonnie is a veteran and takes time out of her workday to assist the fourth grade students with learning about the proper care of the flag and shares her vast knowledge. She is a true role model for our students.”

“There are very few people that make an impact in the way Bonnie does in a school. She is the core of our school community. She is so approachable and often after a child has moved on from our school, parents and caregivers will still reach out to Bonnie for information and assistance with numerous things. She is always willing to assist them. Moscow Elementary is very lucky to have her.”

When asked what she loves most about her job, this is what Bonnie had to say:

“I cannot quite pinpoint, it’s not as simple as the joy I get in creating documents to simplify someone’s day or putting together databases to show them how much their job means. I’m fortunate enough to wear many hats in my position; I love assisting staff, students, and parents in any way possible to make their lives a bit easier. I enjoy seeing how each of us within the school touches the lives of students, and the positive impacts made in the simplest of ways. I love connecting with parents, letting them know their children are respected, and watching how fast they grow.

Again, I am honored to be submitted for the RISE Award for Inspiring School Employees, this honor to me is a true reflection of the teamwork at Moscow Elementary.”