Bangor Educator Honored with State English Teacher Award

(Pictured L to R: Jennifer Babcock, John Bapst Memorial High School, 2024 Claudette & John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award Winner, with Claudette Brassil, retired educator and one of the inspirations for this award.)

The Maine Council for English Language Arts (MCELA) awarded its 6th annual Claudette & John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award to Jennifer Babcock, a 25-year educator at John Bapst who currently teaches American Literature and Composition, British Literature and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, and Creative Writing.

The Claudette & John Brassil Award is administered by the Maine Council for English Language Arts (MCELA) and recognizes exceptional English language arts and literacy teachers who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, contributed to the profession and are committed to the community.

The finalists for the Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award for 2024 included Emily Rumble from Marshwood High School, Jake Joy from Lewiston Middle School, Angela Gilbert from Bruce Whittier Middle School, and Jennifer Babcock from John Bapst Memorial High School.

From left to right: finalist Jake Joy from Lewiston Middle School, finalist Angela Gilbert from Bruce Whittier Middle School, finalist Emily Rumble from Marshwood High School, winner Jennifer Babcock, award namesake Claudette Brassil, and MCELA Secretary and award committee head Bre Allard.

Babcock is the English Department Head and mentors new teachers. In addition, she has been a supervising teacher for student teachers from Husson and the University of Maine since 2011. Babcock has been involved in the school community by leading student tours in the United States and abroad, advising the school prom, choreographing the spring musical, serving as a varsity cheerleading coach, and advising the National Honor Society. Babcock is also the State Officer Advisor for the Maine National Honor Society and has been a judge for the Maine Principal’s Association state cheerleading competition.

“Jen’s commitment to her students, her passion for her craft, and her energy are unparalleled…Every student in Jen’s class knows that she cares about them,” said David Armistead, Head of School at John Bapst and Babcokc’s nominator. “They love her and they consistently rise to the high bar she sets for them. She knows her students are capable of great work and she lovingly keeps them growing from the first day to the last, every year.”

Babcock was honored at the Maine Council for English Language Arts state conference in Portland on March 29, 2024, where 350 ELA educators convened to ignite joy in learning.

The Claudette & John Brassil was created in honor of the contributions of two long-time educators who have inspired students and mentored teachers for over eighty combined years in Maine public schools.

In the past, this distinguished educator award has been given to English Language Arts educators Anthony Scott (2023) from Maine School of Science & Mathematics, Audrey Ennamorati (2022) from Medomak Valley High School, Margaret Adams (2022) from Kingsfield Elementary School, Patti Forster (2020) from Camden Hills Regional High School, Stephanie Hendrix (2019) from Bangor High School, and Johnna Stanton (2018) from Morse High school.

The Maine Council for English Language Arts accepts nominations for this award during the fall of each school year for their March in-person conference recognition. Nominees should be full-time English language arts or literacy teachers of students in grades 6-12 and have taught for at least five years in public or independent schools in Maine. Nominees do not have to be a Maine Council for English Language Arts member. ELA educators who demonstrate the same qualities as the Brassils themselves: a commitment to student-centered learning, the inspiration of all students, leadership at school, district, state, and/or national levels, development, and sharing of effective practices, and involvement in the community and school beyond the classroom. More information on nominations is available here.

Bangor High School Student Named ‘Educators for a Multilingual Maine’ Student of the Year

(Pictured L to R: Bangor High School (BHS) Chinese Teacher Lily Crane, BHS Senior and EMME Student of the Year Amanda Tomlinson, and BHS American Sign Language Teacher Kathy Rice.)

Educators for a Multilingual Maine (EMME) has announced that Bangor High School student Amanda Tomlinson will receive the EMME 2024 Student of the Year award.

EMMC said in a media release: “This recognition is a testament to Amanda’s exceptional dedication and achievements in her academic endeavors and extracurricular engagements. According to Bangor High School teacher Lily Crane, Amanda epitomizes the qualities of a well-rounded student who discovers immense joy and passion in her scholarly pursuits and outside activities.”

Amanda’s remarkable commitment to language studies is a shining example of her unwavering determination and perseverance. Throughout her educational journey, Amanda has demonstrated an outstanding aptitude for languages. She has completed an impressive four years of Chinese language study and two years of American Sign Language at Bangor High School. Her exceptional linguistic skills were further validated when she took the Avant test in Chinese last Spring and will be honored with the prestigious Maine Seal of Biliteracy in May 2024.

“Amanda’s exemplary performance in the World Language Department, coupled with her outstanding contributions to the school community, make her the unequivocal choice for the EMME 2024 Student of the Year,” said Fred Ravan, Vice President of EMME.

The State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB), which acknowledges students proficient in two more languages, is now available in all 50 states and D.C. Learn more about this award for multilingual students and check out OELA’s updated SSB infographic! To learn more about Maine’s Seal of Biliteracy, visit the Maine DOE dashboard.

From all of us at the Maine Department of Education, congratulations to Amanda!

Educators for a Multilingual Maine (EMME) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote and improve the teaching and study of languages and cultures of the world. EMME also strives to further the common interests of teachers, students, and others in Maine, for whom languages play an important role. EMME was formerly known as FLAME, the Foreign Language Association of Maine.

Learn more about EMME or the Student of the Year award, please visit the EMMC website or reach out to EMMC at communications@emmaine.org.

Resources for Celebrating School Lunch Hero Day on May 3

School Nutrition professionals have a lot on their plate, between preparing delicious food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile. We hope schools across Maine will celebrate School Lunch Hero Day on May 3 to celebrate their hard work and commitment.

This day, the first Friday in May has been celebrated annually since 2013 and was designated by The School Nutrition Association and Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the “Lunch Lady” graphic novel series. School Lunch Hero Day allows parents, students, school staff, and communities to thank those who provide healthy meals to Maine students daily.

School nutrition employees must balance many roles and follow numerous federal, state, and local regulations to ensure safe and healthy meals are available in schools. School Lunch Hero Day allows the community to thank these hardworking heroes for their dedication to fueling our students’ success.

Here are some fun activities students could do to celebrate their School Lunch Hero:

Find more information about School Lunch Hero Day here.

Nominations Open for Maine School Nurse of the Year

The Maine Association of School Nurses (MASN) announces a call for nominations for the Maine School Nurse of the Year (SNOY) 2024-25! This award recognizes an outstanding school nurse for his/her contributions to the school and community they serve. The award provides recognition to an individual who demonstrates leadership in 6 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 2024 Maine School Nurse Summer Institute.

We are accepting applications now. The nomination form and the information necessary to begin this process can be accessed on the MASN website. The application deadline is May 3, 2024. For more information, please click here.

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

All information is located on the MASN website.

Directions:

1.) Completed nomination packet must include:

Nomination Form
Reference letters (3-5) with at least one from administration
Curriculum Vitae
Written report addressing the six content areas

2.) Submit original and 3 copies by April 25, 2023 to SNOY Coordinator, Erin Taylor. Email etaylor@capeelizabethschools.org for mailing address.

Questions? Please contact: Erin Taylor, School Nurse at Pond Cove Elementary School by calling 207-799-7339 x3113 or emailing etaylor@capeelizabethschools.org.

South Portland Educator Named English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Teacher of the Year

(Pictured L to R: EMME President Stephanie Carbonneau, awardee Sheanna Zimmerman and Director of Multilingual Programs in South Portland April Perkins)

Sheanna Zimmerman of South Portland Schools was awarded the English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Teacher of the Year by the Educators for Multilingual Maine (EMME) on March 8, 2024.

EMME President Stephanie Carbonneau. and 2024 ESOL Teacher of the Year Sheanna Zimmerman

“The last two years have been the most incredible and fulfilling years of my career. As many of you know, South Portland welcomed hundreds of new multilingual students and families in a short time. I had the honor of supporting our district as we developed a multilingual intake and orientation process, hired multilingual specialists, expanded our ESOL programming, and doubled the size of our ESOL team. I’m proud of these accomplishments and want to thank our South Portland administration and teachers who have continued to embrace opportunities for growth.”

From all of us at the Maine Department of Education, congratulations Sheanna!

Learn more about EMME or the ESOL Teacher of the Year award, please visit the EMME website or reach out to EMMC at communications@emmaine.org.

Reminder: National History Teacher of the Year Nominations Open Until April 30

Nominate an outstanding teacher in your community for the 2024 National History Teacher of the Year! Each year, Gilder Lehrman recognizes first-rate K-12 teachers who find creative ways to bring history to life in their classrooms. Winners are selected from each state and US territories and become finalists for the national award. State winners will receive $1,000 each. The national winner will receive a $10,000 prize and a ceremony in their honor in New York City.

Go to www.gilderlehrman.org/nhtoy to submit your nomination. The deadline to submit a nominations is April 30, 2024.

For more information about the History Teacher of the Year award, please contact Jaime Beal, Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist at jaime.beal@maine.gov

Katahdin Schools’ Nutrition Team Receives National Award for Innovation

(Pictured: members of the nutrition team at RSU 89.)

Four school districts in Alaska, Iowa, Maine, and Ohio received awards for their trailblazing and innovative efforts to improve the nutritional quality of meals for their students. This announcement was made in front of nearly 850 school nutrition professionals at the School Nutrition Association Legislative Action Conference during National School Breakfast Week recently.

Regional School Unit 89, Maine’s own Katahdin Schools received the “Innovation in Preparation of School Meals” award for incorporating more scratch cooking into menu items, such as homemade sub rolls using their oatmeal bread recipe, homemade croutons, pickles, and roasted chickpeas.

RSU 89 has also partnered with a local farm, Keep Ridge Farm in Benedicta to source produce like squash, onion, eggs, carrots, and kale. They host monthly taste tests allowing the student body to determine what the next new menu item will be.

“At our annual Thanksgiving meal, we featured Keep Ridge Farm roasted squash, local farmer Steve Crouse’s potatoes that we boiled and mashed, and turkey from USDA Foods in our homemade gravy and homemade stuffing,” said Denise Tapley Proctor, food service director at RSU 89. “The meal was well received by the community, and the reactions of our kids make us love the change in direction our school is making to more scratch cooking.”

The three school districts that received awards are the first winners of the Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards, jointly created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Action for Healthy Kids as part of USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, also known as HMI. These awards celebrate school districts that embrace opportunities to take their school meals to the next level. HMI is one of several ways that the Biden-Harris Administration is supporting schools to provide kids with nutritious meals that support their health and well-being.

Here are more pictures of the RSU 89 nutrition team preparing mashed potatoes from Keep Ridge Farm, homemade oatmeal rolls, USDA hamburger made into hamade gravy, USDA corn, and homemade apple strawberry crisp:

Statewide Student Writing Contest Winners Announced by MCSTOYA and MCELA

The Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association (MCSTOYA), in partnership with the Maine Council of English Language Arts (MCELA), has announced the winners of the second annual Student Writing Contest that showcased the outstanding talent of students and the incredible impact of teachers in Maine.

“The Student Writing Contest aims to lift students’ voices in recognizing teachers’ impact on their lives in ways both small and large,” MCSTOYA and MCELA said in a joint statement. “In only our second year, the submissions exceeded our expectations. We are touched by the stories of caring and supportive teachers from across our state and from every grade span.”

After careful consideration, the judges have selected the following students as the winners:

PK-2

1st Place: Giles Urwin, Grade 2, The Center for Teaching and Learning, Edgecomb
2nd Place: Avery Barnett, Grade 2, Elm Street School, Mechanic Falls
Honorable Mentions:
- Po Salko, Grade 1, Kate Furbish Elementary School, Brunswick
- Brenden Onyon, Kindergarten, Poland Community School
- Anais Hernas, Grade 2, Daniel W. Merritt School, Addison

Grades 3-5

First Place: Adeline Inman, Grade 5, The Center for Teaching and Learning, Edgecomb
Second Place: Abisag H. Castillo Marrero, Grade 4, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Brunswick
Honorable Mentions:
- Arthur Douglas, Grade 5, Oxford Elementary School
- Josie Mains, Grade 5, Oxford Elementary School

Grades 6-8

First Place: Isla A. Litton, Grade 8, Cape Elizabeth Middle School
Second Place: Arianna Brooks, Grade 8, Bruce M Whittier Middle School, Poland
Honorable Mentions:
- Ruby Glenn, Grade 7, Coastal Christian School, Waldoboro
- Zabina Zimmermann, Grade 8, Cape Elizabeth Middle School

Grades 9-12

First Place: Jocelyn Davis, Grade 9, Oak Hill High School, Wales
Second Place: Sebastian Milstein-Jones, Grade 9, Casco Bay High School, Portland
Honorable Mentions:
- Shukri Ibrahim, Grade 9, Casco Bay High School, Portland
- Nataly Fitzpatrick, Grade 12, Nokomis Regional High School, Newport

“We are incredibly proud of all the students who participated. Teaching can be so incredibly hard, and on really tough days, you can start to question yourself and whether or not you make a difference. But how can you not be uplifted by the words of these students,” said Heather Webster, Co-chair of the Writing Contest Committee.

Our youngest writers in grades PK-5 share:

“He shows us things in little steps…”

“[she] makes me feel safe/by knowing me so well.”

“She changed my life, made me think smarter…”

Students in grades 6-12 echo these thoughts in more complexity:

“She makes you feel seen in a room jammed with people.”

“He pushed me to my limits…every day he was in class he taught me a new life lesson.”

“[She] saved me, my spark, and life and she has continued to help me guide myself…to become the person I am today and dream to be.”

And of course, the sentiment that shines through every submission is “all I want to say is, truly, thank you.”

The winners will receive Amazon Gift Cards in the amounts of $125.00, $60.00, and $30.00, and their work will be featured on the MCELA website.

MCSTOYA and MCELA extend their gratitude to the judges for their time and dedication in evaluating the entries. Additionally, we thank all the participating schools, teachers, and students for contributing to the success of this contest.

Nominations Open 2024 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award

The National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) has opened nominations for the 2024 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award! Every year, the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award (OBTA) program attempts to recognize an outstanding biology educator (grades 7-12 only) in each of the 50 states; Washington, DC; Puerto Rico, Canada; and overseas territories.

Candidates for this award do not have to be National Association of Biology Teachers members, but they must have at least three years of public, private, or parochial school teaching experience. A major portion of the nominee’s career must have been devoted to teaching biology/life science, and candidates are judged on their teaching ability and experience, cooperativeness in the school and community, and student-teacher relationships.

Outstanding Biology Teacher Award recipients are special guests of Carolina Biology Supply Company at the Honors Luncheon held at the National Association of Biology Teachers Professional Development Conference, receive gift certificates from Carolina Biological Supply Company, resources from other sponsors, award certificates, and complimentary one-year membership from the National Association of Biology Teachers.

Submit your nomination here. The deadline to submit nominations is March 1, 2024.

For more information about the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award, please contact Ken Vencile, Maine Outstanding Biology Teacher Award Director at ken.vencile@fivetowns.net.

Nominations Open for Alternative Educators of the Year

The Alternative Education Association of Maine is looking for nominations for the Alternative Educators of the Year. The Association is looking to recognize one or more individuals for their outstanding work in Alternative Education.

Please consider someone who has:

Demonstrated a positive impact on the academic programming for Alternative Education students or at-risk students.
Been an advocate for Alternative Education at local or state levels.
Helped develop and/or maintain an effective Alternative Education program.
Shown a dedication to Alternative Education through a commitment to professional growth and development.

If you know of someone who fits any of these criteria and would like to nominate them, please take a moment and fill out the form below and help us recognize those deserving educators whose work helps some of our most in-need students.

Alternative Educators of the Year Nomination Form.

For further information reach out to Alternative Education Association of Maine Presented Lenny Holmes at lholmes@bonnyeagle.org.