Category: Awards and Honors

Maine mathematics educators honored

seadogs
Left to right: Jackie Mitchell (1999-retired), Marilyn Curtis (2013-retired), Donna Hardt (2014-RSU 13), Ellen Greeke (2003-retired), Marshalyn Baker (2000-retired), Pam Rawson (2011-Baxter Academy for Technology and Science, Portland), Shawn Towle (2008-Falmouth Middle School), Jenny Jorgensen (2012-Harrison Middle School, Yarmouth) and David Heckman (2002-retired).

The Portland Sea Dogs recently recognized the current and several past recipients of the Jacqueline Mitchell Mathematics Educator Award. The award is given to an outstanding mathematics educator who demonstrates a commitment to Maine’s mathematical community through dedicated service.

Since its inception in 1999, 15 Maine educators have received the award given annually by the Association of the Teachers of Mathematics in Maine (ATOMIM). Eight honorees were in attendance at the game along with Jackie Mitchell, the former Maine Mathematics Specialist for whom the award was named. The honorees were celebrated on the field and Marilyn Curtis, a retired mathematics educator and the 2013 recipient of the award, tossed out the first pitch.

Commissioner celebrates Washington County school improvements on first day of report card rollout tour

Maine Education Commissioner Jim Rier presents Rose M. Gaffney School Principal Mitchell Look with a certificate of achievement for earning an A on their 2014 school report card. The school received a C last year.
Maine Education Commissioner Jim Rier presents Rose M. Gaffney School Principal Mitchell Look with a certificate of achievement for earning an A on their 2014 school report card while visiting Washington County on Monday. The school received a C last year.

Maine Department of Education Commissioner Jim Rier returned to his native county to present Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School their A grade and Narraguagus High School their C. Both schools have higher rates of low-income students than the state average and spend less on classroom instruction, yet both improved by two letter grades.

MACHIAS – Maine’s Commissioner of Education spent Monday in Washington County, recognizing two schools there for raising their grades on the 2014 school report cards that will be released to the public on Thursday.

Continue reading “Commissioner celebrates Washington County school improvements on first day of report card rollout tour” →

Arts educators recognized at State House celebration

AUGUSTA – Arts educators were recognized at the Maine State House Wednesday as part of Maine’s annual celebration of Arts Education Day.

Each year the Maine Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE), an affiliate of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, recognizes educational leaders who have made a significant difference in the lives of young people through arts education.

Continue reading “Arts educators recognized at State House celebration” →

Maine’s PAEMST winners recognized in Washington, D.C.

Karen Jagonlinzer and Elizabeth Heidemann were among the 101 teachers recognized by President Obama earlier this month in Washington, D.C. as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science (PAEMST). Continue reading “Maine’s PAEMST winners recognized in Washington, D.C.” →

Yarmouth middle school finalist for national environmental competition

The Frank H. Harrison Middle School in Yarmouth has been named as one of 15 national finalists for the Samsung Solve to Tomorrow Grant. The environmental issue students focused on for the competition was the invasive European Green Crab that is currently having a negative impact on Maine’s shellfish industry and coastal environments.  Continue reading “Yarmouth middle school finalist for national environmental competition” →

Maine Poetry Out Loud finals Feb. 26

The 2014 Maine State Finals for the national Poetry Out Loud program will take place on Feb. 26 at the Waterville Opera House. Kathleen Shannon, co-anchor of WCSH television’s 207 program, will emcee the event. Doors open to the public at 3:30 p.m. and the event begins at 4 p.m. The event is free and no advanced tickets are required. Continue reading “Maine Poetry Out Loud finals Feb. 26” →

Janet Ventrella named 2013 Maine History Teacher of the Year

Janet Ventrella, a teacher at Livermore Elementary School in Livermore, has been named the 2013 Maine History Teacher of the Year.  The award is co-sponsored by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, HISTORY® and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation on behalf of its Preserve America program.  Continue reading “Janet Ventrella named 2013 Maine History Teacher of the Year” →

Maine students selected for Senate Youth Program

Two Maine students will travel to Washington, D.C. for a week in March to serve as delegates to the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP).

Zachary Duperry of Portland and Carolyn Liziewski of Gray were chosen from across the state to be part of the group of 104 student delegates who will attend the program’s 52nd annual Washington Week. Continue reading “Maine students selected for Senate Youth Program” →

Maine’s History Teacher of the Year nominations due Feb. 1

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Preserve America and the History Channel annually recognize outstanding American history teachers at the state and national levels. Nominees may be any full-time educators of grades K-12 who teach American history (as a separate subject or through social studies, reading, language arts and other subjects). State winners receive a $1,000 prize and an archive of classroom resources. One national winner receives a $10,000 prize.  Continue reading “Maine’s History Teacher of the Year nominations due Feb. 1” →