Category: Good News from Schools

Bangor High School Civil Rights Team Creates Calendars to help Celebrate Diverse History and Culture 

Bangor High School’s Civil Rights Team has been hard at work this year, collecting materials to help their community celebrate African American History Month, Women’s History Month, and beyond. They recently created several calendars of content, including picture book read aloud stories to help elevate and celebrate diverse stories and cultures.  

To put the calendars together, the group researched other calendars featuring content relating to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion and content that would align to the mission of the Civil Rights Team Project.  

“When it came to the ‘Celebrating Black Stories’ calendar, we looked specifically for videos featuring the author or illustrator doing the read aloud as a way of preserving authenticity,” said Stephanie Hendrix, English Teacher and the Civil Rights Team Advisor at Bangor High School. “We also looked at a number of different book lists for recommendations, and we paid close attention to the Coretta Scott King award winners.” 

The information was collected from various sources in the hopes of creating resources that are user friendly for teachers and students in their school community, to help them think and talk about issues related to race and skin color, national origin and ancestry, disability, and gender. 

Here are a few of the February and March calendars but the group has calendars for the other months as well: 

PDF versions of the calendars and other relevant activates to help celebrate:

“The students on my team and I understand how important it is that everyone feels safe and welcome in our school community, and one way we can help people feel not only included, but also celebrated, is by finding opportunities for them to be seen – whether through the stories we read and bring into the classroom, the poems we share that speak to the human experience, or the calendar events that help us understand that our normal may not be everyone else’s normal,” said Hendrix. “Ultimately, we don’t know what we don’t know, and the research that the Civil Rights Team has been doing to collect and curate these materials has helped us all learn more about just how diverse our school community is and just how important it is to see and celebrate everyone’s complex humanity.” 

To learn more about starting a Civil Rights Team in a Maine school, visit the Maine Attorney General’s website or reach out to Project Director Brandon Baldwin at brandon.baldwin@maine.gov or sign up for their newsletter.  To get copies of the other calendars, reach out to Stephanie Hendrix at shendrix@bangorschools.net.

Forest Hills School 5th & 6th Graders Learn about Career Aspirations Through Maine College Circle

Rick an Martin

Rick Wilson and Martin Mackey from the Maine Department of Education Office of Innovation were in Jackman, Maine recently collaborating with Maine College Circle Executive Director Bob Stuart as he presented to 5th and 6th graders at Forest Hills School in SAD 12.

His message revolved around career aspirations and the Maine College Circle’s ongoing process to inform and inspire early aspirations, to empower the youth of rural Maine, to build a brighter future for themselves, and for their communities.

Since 1992, Maine College Circle has been talking with rural Maine elementary school students about their opportunities to build a brighter future. They help them understand the value of continued education beyond high school and help them explore their educational opportunities. To learn more about Maine College Circle and Bob’s great work, visit https://www.mainecollegecircle.org/.

What I Did with my Summer: Bonny Eagle Educator Explores Women’s History Through Martha Washington’s Story

“Any time I find a class or webinar about the history of American women, I try to take it,” said Bonny Eagle Social Studies Teacher Dawna Cyr. 

As part of completing her master’s degree, Cyr examined what is taught in history classes about American women, outlining an American women’s history class that she hoped to teach one day. Since then, Cyr was given the opportunity to teach the course, HerStory, which she continues to teach to this day.

It was this passion for teaching women’s history, along with some former experience studying the life of George Washington at his home Mount Vernon, Virginia that drove Cyr to decide to study his wife, Martha Washington and the women of the 18th century through the George Washington Teacher Institute’s 5-day digital professional development programs this past summer.

Designed to support K12 educators who teach about the life, leadership, and legacies of George Washington and the 18th-century world in which he lived, the George Washington Teacher Institute’s online courses offer many options and flexibility for educators to choose 18th-century subjects that are most relevant to their classroom. As described on the George Washington Teacher Institute website:

Martha Washington’s story, although unparalleled in many ways, provides a well-documented access point to a better understanding of the experiences available to women throughout the colonies and the newly formed nation in the 18th century.

Cyr recalls the many lecture options offered in the program she took, everything from Colonial Women and Martha Washington herself, to Gender and Racial Construct in Colonial America, Enslaved Women, and Native American Women, to Women’s Education and Leadership in Revolutionary America, along with Music of the time period.

“I have so many things that I have brought back to my class,” said Cyr reflecting on the outcomes of her experience.  “I have added information that I learned into my lectures and presentations, and I tell my students stories from the program and share information that I learned.”

As a result of this program, Cyr has added even more books about women to her extensive collection. “I have read about Martha Washington, Eliza Lucas Pinckney, Oney Judge, enslaved women, and women of the American Revolution,” she said. As a social studies teacher, Cyr is constantly looking for materials/information that she can share with her students or incorporate into her lectures, which has been a huge benefit to embarking on this program.

To learn more about George Washington Teacher Institute, visit their website. To learn more about social studies professional development opportunities and more, join Maine DOE’s Social Studies Listserv here. For more information and questions about social studies resources for Maine educators, contact joe.schmidt@maine.gov.

Student Spotlight: South Portland Second Grader Finds Purpose Through Helping the Homeless

This isn’t just a story about a little girl who made a donation to the local homeless shelter, it’s a story about a little girl who didn’t like school and by finding her passion for helping people in her community, she also found a love of learning that supports her long-term goals for making a big difference in the world.

Meet Nicolette, a second grade student at James Otis Kaler Elementary School in South Portland. Nicolette has a tremendous passion for helping people who are homeless. She dreams of one day opening a restaurant and farmers market with a community garden where everything will only cost one cent. Her dream of making fresh, delicious food affordable and accessible to people who may find themselves without a home or income has been in the making since Nicolette was 5 years old.

While she continues to make plans for the restaurant, Nicolette has found a way to not only keep busy doing what she can now to make an impact, but she has also garnered the support of her classmates and her school community in making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

“My classroom with Mrs. Dudley as our teacher, we decided to work on keeping people living outside warm. We were thinking scarves,” explained Nicolette in a video interview with her Principal, Bonnie Hicks. Nicolette and her classmates have been working on crocheting scarves with the help of the school’s art program and a few teachers that have donated their time. The scarves will be donated to help keep kids warm during Maine’s cold months.

In addition, the students also took up a change collection raising $235.04, and used the money to put together bags with essential items that they could donate to the Preble Street homeless shelter.

“What we did was we had some bags at school. We went to the store one day after school and bought wipes, hand sanitizer, food, water bottles, and we bought chocolate because WHO DOESN’T LIKE CHOCOLATE?!” said Nicolet excitedly. The students also included clothing like socks, underwear, t-shirts, gloves, hats, and masks in the bags.

As they donated the bags, the students were delighted to hear that this kind of donation really helps the shelter with their outreach efforts as they walk the city looking for people who may need help. They later learned that the efforts of Nicolette and her classmates helped nine individuals.

Nicolette’s dreams and goals haven’t always aligned with her education journey. “I’m not afraid to tell you that Nicolette was not a lover of school,” said Kaler Elementary School Principal Bonnie Kicks. “But because of this passion and ability to use her heart and her head and her math and writing skills…”

“I got a lot stronger and decided I would go to school to finish doing more and more of these projects,” Nicolette chimed in quickly with a smile.

Principal Hicks said that they keep touch with the Preble Street Homeless Shelter and that Nicolette plans to one day do an internship and possibly earn college credit while doing so. Happy that Nicolette is already doing valuable work for them, the Preble Street Shelter is looking forward to working with her in the near future.

Educator Spotlight: Aspiring World Languages Educator Attends 2022 NECTFL Conference on National Scholarship

The Maine Department of Education congratulates Nadine Bravo, an aspiring world languages teacher, for being selected as this year’s recipient of the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (NECTFL) Future Language Educator Scholarship. The scholarship provided funding for Bravo to attend the 2022 NECTFL Conference which took place in New York. Nadine was selected to receive this scholarship among a pool of applicants nation-wide due to her promise as an aspiring world languages educator.

As a multicultural and multilingual individual born and raised in Halle, East Germany, Bravo has spent time in Lithuania, Russia, the United States, and Chile, even surviving the Chilean earthquake of 2010 while she lived here. With much world experience, plus a BA in FLL (Russian, German, Spanish, English), some master’s-level coursework, and 20 years of experience tutoring German and English under her belt, Bravo dreamed about pursuing a graduate degree as a world languages teacher with a certificate to teach English as another language.

“It has always been rewarding watching students learn and grow with the languages,” said Bravo. “However, I had never obtained proper teacher certification, which limited my employment opportunities. The onset of the pandemic and an injury on the job were the catalyst to get the process of graduate school rolling.”

Bravo is now in her first year of graduate school and has had opportunities to tutor German in the linguistics department at the University of Southern Maine, which has helped confirm that she made the right decision about returning to graduate school.

Bravo attributes the opportunity to fill out an application for the NECTFL Future Language Educator Scholarship to her mentor teacher, Sarah Collins at Gorham Middle School, who pointed her toward a Language Educators newsletter put together by Maine Department of Education’s Interdisciplinary Instruction & ESOL/Bilingual Programs Specialist April Perkins. A link to the upcoming conference was available in a newsletter and Bravo took the opportunity to apply.

“When I came across the conference program, I felt so inspired and wanted to attend all the workshops and lectures offered regarding my target languages,” said Bravo. “I am currently in a tight financial situation and try to take advantage of any sort of financial support while furthering my education,” she added.

With three different types of scholarships available for the conference, the application process was demanding and complex but not impossible, says Bravo. Her application package included various elements such as letters of recommendation, a list of relevant organization affiliations, testing scores, a statement, methods assignments, and transcripts, among other things.

“I decided to go overboard and shared everything that could have been relevant,” said Bravo. “One of the most rewarding items I received after my first observation in my internship placement was a stack of student notes with feedback. It does not get any better than receiving genuine feedback from your students and learning about your strengths and weaknesses,” she added.

The conference took place earlier this month, bringing opportunities and experience for Bravo to pursue her dream of working as a world languages teacher in Maine.

“It is important not only to learn the language and grammar, but also to be exposed to different cultures, customs, and traditions, said Bravo, who has a goal of teaching students in Spanish and German. “Learning a world language is the gate to other cultures. I want to be that gate, facilitating my students’ access to an additional way of life,” she added.

Bravo expresses her gratitude to all the people who have paved the road for her return to graduate school, including graduate advisor, Mike Katz, and other supportive faculty at USM including her two professors, Dr. Mindy Butler and Dr. Alec Lapidus, who employ her as their graduate research assistant.

Currently, Bravo has accepted a long-term substitute teacher position in the Gray-New Gloucester Middle School. She is hopeful about her future career as a world languages teacher.

To sign up for the Language Educators Newsletter, click here or reach out to April Perkins at april.perkins@maine.gov.

PWS Cleaning Crew: A Story of Inspiration and True Collaboration During a Difficult Time

Upon their return from winter break, the teachers and students of Philip W. Sugg (PWS) Middle School in Lisbon learned that their night custodian was going to be out for an extended period of time, along with two other night custodians at the district’s elementary school, who were also going to be out. This left the district with a skeletal crew that was struggling just to keep up with their regular cleaning schedules.

“I’m very well aware that middle schoolers are perhaps the most misunderstood humans on the planet,” said Nicole Sautter PWS 7th grade teacher and 2020 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year. “I knew this could very well be an opportunity for them that would not only allow others to see who they truly are, but also provide them a much-needed purpose in their life that would bring them a sense of power in a tumultuous time – and that is how the PWS Cleaning Crew came to be.”

Since early January, PWS Middle schoolers have stepped up and volunteered their time after school to keep the building clean: trash removal, recycling, vacuuming, sweeping classrooms and hallways while some staff clean bathrooms and refill toiletries, among other things.

Here is their story:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created many unanticipated challenges for the Lisbon students and staff over the last two years,” said Richard Green, Lisbon School Department Superintendent.  “It has been my observation that the students and staff within the Lisbon School Department have always faced and addressed these challenges with a real determination and effort that is unlike anything that I have ever seen. The effort from the Philip W. Sugg Middle School (PWS) students and staff to help coordinate the cleaning efforts within their school as a result of staffing shortages, is a perfect example of this dedication.”

Sautter adds that it’s refreshing to see middle schoolers excited about making a difference. They’re internally motivated and have shown a solid understanding of what it means to be an involved citizen.

“I’m so grateful for these kids. There’s no way we could cover this school without their help,” said Mike Powell, Lisbon Schools Department Custodian/Bus Driver/Maintenance.

“On behalf of the Lisbon School Department, I would like to commend and thank all of the PWS students and staff who have gone above and beyond to help keep their school clean and safe during these unprecedented times,” added Superintendent Green.

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).

Molly Ockett School 3rd Graders Study Maine Forests in Outdoor Classroom

Brian Cushing, a 3rd grade teacher at Molly Ockett School in MSAD 72 was looking to do something different with his students this past fall after a year of working indoors through the pandemic.

Inspired by a “Forests of Maine Teacher Study Tour” he took in the summer of 2021 at the Maine Outdoor Center on Millinocket Lake near Mt. Katahdin, Cushing created a lesson for his 3rd graders that gave them the opportunity to study Maine forests.

“Our field experiences [on the Forests of Maine Teacher Study Tour] were what inspired me most to have my students get outside and learn about forestry,” said Cushing. “Our teacher field experiences took us from harvesting and processing the harvest to retail operations.”

In a 10-session study that integrated reading, writing, technology, science, and geography components, Cushing collaborated with Tin Mountain Conservation to create something really special for this students. He worked with Tin Mountain to co-teach lessons on tree identification, internal structure/components of trees and how to tell how old a tree is when cut down by counting rings on tree cookies.

Cushing decided to use their local school site in Fryeburg, which is located on several acres of mixed woods on one side, for a place to set up their outdoor classroom.

“Students enjoyed having an outdoor classroom,” said Cushing. “Being indoors so much of the day during this pandemic can be monotonous, and even though protocols are in place for outdoor classrooms, it was a change, the air was fresh, and they were learning about a new topic.”

In addition to learning about tree science, the students also studied animal habitat, and what mammals live in the Maine woods. They kept science journals for their weekly lessons, the majority of which were outside at their school site. They also worked in teams of two or three and used their laptops to research selected Maine mammals such as black bear, moose, snowshoe hare, flying squirrels, and bobcat, and then created visuals to present their findings to their classmates, as experts on their chosen mammal.

“They were so enthusiastic to research and write about their mammal, and then to present to the class,” said Cushing. “This was the first time any of them had been able to do any kind of team work since the pandemic hit.”

As part of the collaboration with Tin Mountain, students also had the opportunity to assemble a Maine moose skeleton in class, as part of a traveling museum that came to their classroom. Students also got see a Maine black bear skin, a taxidermied pileated woodpecker, and a saw-whet owl.

“The best part for me was seeing how integration really makes sense to students,” Cushing reflected.

To learn more about Tin Mount Conservation visit their website. To learn more about Mr. Cushing’s study on Maine forests, reach out to him at brian.cushing@msad72.org.

What I Did with my Summer: MSAD 58 Social Studies Educator Finds Teaching Inspiration Through the Story of Ona Judge

(Book image from Amazon)

This past summer, Crystal Polk, a Social Studies Teacher at Strong Elementary School in MSAD 58 attended a 5-day session entitled “Slavery at Mount Vernon” offered through the George Washington Teacher Institute’s 5-day digital, professional development programs designed to educators.

“I applied to participate because I wanted to learn more about George Washington and slavery with a group of experts and teachers, so that we could also discuss how to best teach the content,” Polk explained. 

Prior to engaging in the program, participants read a book entitled, The One Avoidable Subject of Regret, by Mary V. Thompson, a compelling book about slavery at Mount Vernon. The program layout consisted of synchronous professional development sessions which were a combination of presentations by historians and teachers, virtual tours of different areas on the Mount Vernon estate, and discussions with other participants. In addition, asynchronous assignments were also given throughout the week to keep participants engaged.

“The ongoing support and professional development provided by the George Washington Teacher Institute is amazing and inspiring,” said Polk after finishing the program.

After fulfilling her goal to learn more about George Washington, Mount Vernon, and slavery in general, Polk purchased and read, Never Caught: The Story of Ona Judge, a resource that was discussed during the sessions.

“Ona Judge was a slave who escaped from the Washington’s and lived out her life in freedom in New Hampshire,” explained Polk. “The book was well written, so I used my stipend money from the Teacher Institute and purchased a class set of these books to use with students. I have used the books with a small group of seventh graders, and I am working on developing a whole unit centered around the life of Ona Judge. I am also working on developing a presentation to share with my local and state colleagues.”

Additionally, this year Polk has been working as a teacher leader with the EVER FI professional development series for Maine teachers. She is planning to share her knowledge and resources when the Ever Fi team presents their African American history content and the 306 online course information with Maine teachers. 

“After this experience, I was asked to serve as a member of the George Washington Teacher Institute Advisory Group,” added Polk. “This group of ninety-two teachers from around the United States will meet digitally on an ongoing basis to discuss content related to George Washington and professional development opportunities for educators.”

To learn more about the George Washington Teacher Institute visit their website. To learn more about social studies professional development opportunities and more, join Maine DOE’s Social Studies Listserv here. For more information and questions about social studies resources for Maine educators, contact Joe Schmidt at joe.schmidt@maine.gov.

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  1st 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 2nd 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