Northern Penobscot Tech Region III Names Katahdin Javner as CTE Student of the Year

Northern Penobscot Tech Region III is pleased to present Katahdin Javner as its 2020-2021 Career and Technical Education Student of the Year.

During the last two years, Katahdin has had the opportunity to enroll in two programs per year at NPT Region III. He has successfully completed two years of Construction Technology, and one year each of Information Technology and Automotive Technology.

In addition to Katahdin’s excellent attendance and outstanding academic performance, he sets an example of work ethic, dedication and accountability that is unmatched at Region III. Faculty, staff and students all consider Katahdin to be a leader and a positive influence in our school.

Not only does Katahdin set a great example with his academic and hands-on work at Region III, he is also the President of SkillsUSA for the State of Maine. In his role as President, he has exercised his leadership skills both locally and statewide. For example, Katahdin was instrumental in laying the groundwork for a long-term commitment by Region III to participate in SkillsUSA in a much more meaningful way by working to establish a local SkillsUSA chapter at Region III.

Learn more about Northern Penobscot Tech Region III by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Van Buren Regional Technology Center Honors Alexis Violette as CTE Student of the Year

Mrs. Amy White, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director from Van Buren Regional Technology Center, is pleased to announced the selection of Alexis Violette as the Student of the Year for the 2020-2021 School Year.

Alexis is a student in the Machine Tool and Business programs at our school. Alexis has excellent attendance and is described by her teachers as an intelligent and exemplary student. She is not afraid to work outside her comfort zone, which is evident in her Machine Tool class.

Her Machine Tool teacher says “I strongly feel that no matter what task or skillset that I ask Alexis to attempt she will do so with such a tenacity that there is no doubt in my mind that she will complete it.”

Alexis works with extreme precision and does not hesitate to jump right into the task assigned in class and is always willing to lend a hand to her teachers or other students, often without even being asked. Alexis is known as one of the hardest working and most pleasant students in our center.

Congratulations, Alexis Violette! We are very proud of you!

Learn more about Van Buren Regional Technology Center by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Get to Know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Michele Mailhot

Maine DOE team member Michele Mailhot is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Michele in the question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I am the Penquis Regional Representative and Secondary Mathematics Specialist on the Secondary Education Integrated Instruction (SEII) Team which is part of the Standards and Instructional Support (SIS) Team in the Office of Learning Systems.

What do you like best about your job?

I love the variety of work I am able to engage in here at DOE which includes offering professional learning, technical support, and teacher leader development. I work closely with classroom teachers, administrators, superintendents, and various other stakeholders involving mathematics education. I also collaborate across multiple teams at DOE providing assistance with the state assessment, supporting identified schools, and identifying connections with Career and Technical Education (CTE). I enjoy honoring excellent mathematics teachers by co-coordinating the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching program for Maine.

How or why did you decide on this career?

I knew by the time I was in middle school myself that I wanted to be a mathematics teacher. Math has opened so many doors for me, including opportunities to work with NASA, that I wanted to share this with others so doors could open for them as well! So when the opportunity came to work at the state level, I knew it was time to leave the classroom and reach a larger audience and share all the great things the mathematics can do.

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

I enjoy spending my time visiting with my kids and grandkids, as well as working in my gardens!

Mid-Maine Technical Center Names Paige Dudley CTE Student of the Year

Paige Dudley has been enrolled in the Outdoor Leadershttps://sites.google.com/mmtc.me/mmtchip program for the past 2 years. In that time, Paige has taken on new challenges and stepped outside of her comfort zone with increasing confidence and skill. Paige is a role model for others, taking the lead on applied projects, supporting her peers, and being prepared for class each day. Paige seamlessly applies lessons learned in the classroom to her work in the field.

Paige was at her best while spearheading our effort to develop guiding resources for the local community. Paige created a trail guide for a defunct trail system and a Fishery & Wildlife guide for the Messalonskee Stream. Due to Paige’s efforts, many people, including staff and students of area middle schools, are able to enjoy Maine’s outdoors while learning important lessons about our environment.

Paige has been recognized for her outstanding achievement by being inducted into the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. Outside of school, Paige volunteers for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, Home for Little Wanderers, as well as supporting events in her own hometown.

Paige will attend the University of Maine in the Fall to pursue a career as a Wildlife Biologist.

Learn more about Mid-Maine Technical Center by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Early Learning Office Hour on Summer Learning Opportunities

On Thursday, May 27, from 3:30-4:30, members of the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE’s) Early Learning Team will host an open office hour to discuss ideas for supporting young learners over the summer. Those wishing to join should pre-register.

DOE recently released Maine Summer Learning Guidance to assist and inspire prek-12 schools. The document includes Early Learning Team summer learning guidance to support schools and communities in thinking about how to help young learners stay engaged over the summer and transition into school. Additional resources can be found on the Maine DOE’s Summer Engagement Opportunities website. For more information, contact Nicole.Madore@maine.gov.

Mid-Coast School of Technology Names Emily Miller CTE Student of the Year

Mid-Coast School of Technology is pleased to recognize Emily Miller as Mid-Coast School of Technology’s 2021 MACTE Student of the Year.

Emily has been a standout student since her very first visit to the school. Her teacher, Brandon Soards said:

She showed off illustrations that looked like that of high-end professional, almost to an extent that I didn’t believe. In her three years in Design/Technology, she has continued to excel, soaking up every opportunity to learn new skills and transforming herself from an outstanding illustrator into an outstanding graphic designer.

Lately, she has put her focus on learning all the production capabilities we have on hand. She has used those talents to support the school, creating shop and student of the month shirts for her peers. I have had to become cautious about what projects to bring up because she will always be the first to volunteer if it’s something the school needs. This is particularly important as she has some other important projects: a stellar Maine State T-Shirt design for SkillsUSA and a very personal entry in the Arrive Alive Competition in which she is sharing her own experience of the hit and run and her long road to recovery.

Emily Miller has become a Design/Tech paragon, setting an example of conduct, professionalism, and practice. She is the ideal candidate for MACTE Student of the Year.

Next year, Emily will return to Mid-Coast as a post-graduate student and start building a freelance design business.

Learn more about Mid-Coast School of Technology by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Maine Region 10 Technical High School Names Wyatt Shepard CTE Student of the Year

Wyatt is a two year member of Maine Region 10 Technical High School, participating in both our Building Trades program and our Pre-Apprenticeship program. A member of the National Technical Honor Society, he has won multiple Student of the Quarter Awards in both programs, and has been an exemplary student throughout his career at Region 10, accumulating a 4.0 GPA in both programs.

Wyatt secured an apprenticeship position at James & Whitney Construction in his senior year. He has worked there for over seven months, and has been offered a full time position upon graduation. He has worked as a Carpenter’s Helper, gaining experience in all aspects of commercial and residential building. Upon graduation, he will also be trained in the sales and marketing departments of his company.

Wyatt is an incredible young man with outdoor interests. He is home-schooled, and heavily involved in the Cornerstone Baptist Church, as well as its many community service activities. He is a fantastic representative of our community and our school, and well deserving of this award.

Learn more about Maine Region 10 Technical High School by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Foster Tech Honors Haley Walsh as CTE Student of the Year (Corrected)

Foster Career and Technical Education Center is pleased to announce Haley Walsh a senior at Mt. Blue High school as the CTE Student of the Year. Haley is a member of the CNA & Biotechnology program at Foster Tech and her parents are Erik and Lisa Walsh (corrected).

Haley is a testament that hard work can lead to academic success. She is a member of our Bridge Program and has earned 37 college credits while in high school. Haley is one of the sweetest, kindest students I have had the privilege to work with.

Along with her work at Foster Tech, Haley has also been involved in Football Cheerleading (11-12) Senior Captain, Competition Cheerleading (9-12) Senior Captain, Tennis (9-12) Junior Captain & Senior Captain, Soccer (9-10), National Honor Society (11-12), National Technical Honor Society (11-12), Biotechnology Student Ambassador (12), KVAC All Academic Team (12), and KVAC First All-Conference Team (11).

Her parents describe her as:

“She has always been a great kid and works hard on everything she attempts. She loves to learn things, currently she is pursuing a career as a dental hygienist for which I am so proud of her but I also know that if she wanted to be a dentist in the future she could absolutely do it!”

Haley plans to attend the University of Maine in Augusta, Bangor campus, to study Dental Hygiene. Upon graduation she wants to stay in Maine and work as a dental hygienist.

Learn more about Foster Career and Technical Education Center by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Lewiston Regional Technical Center Honors Colin Merritt as CTE Student of the Year

Lewiston Regional Technical Center (LRTC) is proud to honor Colin Merritt as its Student of the Year. Colin personifies the very best of CTE and has distinguished himself amongst his most talented and committed peers.

His Plumbing/Heating Instructor said:

“He wants to work. He wants to do well. He works great as a leader or support in any group project. He always does the best he can and always strives to improve himself. He is a model of the kind of worker every company wishes they could hire. I’m very proud to have had him as a student.”

Colin is a SkillsUSA local medalist in Plumbing (slated for State competition in 2020) and earned a place on the Plumbing/Heating class honor role for two years.

Colin is a member of the NTHS and has earned his OSHA10 card, Genie lift and Werner Ladder Certifications. During the COVID shutdown he volunteered to deliver meals to disabled veterans and senior citizens. Colin plays on the Varsity Hockey, Baseball and Golf teams for Edward Little.

After graduation Colin will sit for his Plumbing JIT license and attend MEMA for oil, gas and refrigeration licenses while he works.

Learn more about Lewiston Regional Technical Center by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Lake Region Vocational Center Honors Omar Elalam as CTE Student of the Year

The Lake Region Vocational Center’s Student of the Year is Omar Elalam. Omar is a senior in the Advanced Computer Technologies II program.

Omar is a respectful and conscientious student who is fully dedicated to his course of study. He consistently produces work of the highest quality, and is a leader in the classroom, frequently assisting other students with understanding course content. Omar is an officer in our school’s chapter of SkillsUSA, and is a leader on the soccer team at Lake Region High School, where he attends his academic classes. He has been a member of the math team there as well.

Omar recently achieved almost a perfect score on the ASVAB test, and has been accepted to SMCC where he will pursue a degree in Computer Science and will continue playing soccer. Omar will graduate with twelve college credits earned through his Vocational Center program. His career goal is to work in the computer technologies industry. He is the son of Abdenbi Elalam of Bridgton. Congratulations, Omar!

Learn more about Lake Region Vocational Center by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video: