Windham school health program gets national honor

Windham Middle School receives one of two Blue Apple Health Education awards with Distinction for 2011.

The percentage of Windham Middle School students who report smoking has decreased for six consecutive years. Ditto the rates of Windham students reporting they’ve used marijuana or alcohol.

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From State House display to civics lesson

Three students visiting the State House to discuss the importance of their guidance counselors end up speaking before a legislative panel.

AUGUSTA – It began as an opportunity for Maine school counselors to tout the importance of their services in the State House Hall of Flags.

By the end of the day, it had become a firsthand civics lesson for three middle-school students from the Poland area.

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English teachers focus on technology

Annual gathering features presentations by Maine teachers for Maine teachers.

English teachers can use blogs, poetry slams and graphic novels to craft engaging lessons that appeal to students who don’t learn best by reading books and writing papers.

A teacher in the southern Maine town of Sanford can teach Advanced Placement English to students located almost 400 miles to his north, in the town of St. Agatha.

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Math teachers glimpse new standards

Conference offers instructors a preview of newly produced curriculum materials that align with the Common Core.

A South Portland High School math teacher described his class’ experience building a boat to drive home math lessons.

A Lisbon Community School teacher discussed how she uses picture books with her young students to help them visualize mathematical concepts.

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Teacher of the Year nominees honored at State House

The 10 nominees for 2012 span the regions of the state, subject matter and grade levels.

AUGUSTA — Wanda Whitener notices the students who stick with her music classes all nine years they attend her school are students who excel in academics and occupy the top slots in their graduating classes.

“They tend to know what discipline is and apply themselves to everything they do,” said Whitener, who teaches music at Tremont Consolidated School in Bass Harbor. “I feel that they learn some excellent lifelong skills through music.”

Whitener — who directs two bands, two orchestras and a chorus along with teaching instrument lessons and classroom music — is one of Maine’s 10 nominees for 2012 Teacher of the Year.

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Technology center engaging students, training future workforce

Students apply math and science skills in classes they find relevant at United Technologies Center in Bangor.

Article image: Robotics engineering instructor Rob Canarr speaks with Commissioner Stephen Bowen at United Technologies Center in Bangor.
Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen speaks with Robotics Engineering instructor Ron Canarr during his visit to United Technologies Center in Bangor.

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