The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce that the following individuals have been appointed by Governor Paul R. LePage and Acting Commissioner Robert G. Hasson, Jr. to serve on the Maine STEM Council.
Established by a 2011 bill submitted by Governor LePage following unanimous support from the Maine State Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, the Maine STEM Council develops strategies for enhancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education from prekindergarten through postsecondary education.
Jon Amory
Engineering/Robotics Teacher
Baxter Academy
Jon Amory studied naval architecture, philosophy and engineering at Trinity College and received his master’s degree in design studies from Harvard University. Currently a member at the newly founded Baxter Academy in Portland, Amory has extensive experience in engineering having worked at Boston Dynamics designing robots, in addition to teaching engineering for four years in Freeport middle school and high schools. He has focused his teaching career on building skills through large-scale, student-led, real world projects, such as a wind tunnel that clocked the highest wind speeds ever recorded in Maine. One of the original team that started the Baxter Academy, Amory worked to design the Academy’s unique Flex Friday program.
Jason Judd
Program Director
Project>Login at Educate Maine
Jason Judd has worked for the last 12 years in a variety of educational roles, including as a teacher, college and career counselor, director of studies, and academic dean at Maine Central Institute (MCI), a town academy in Pittsfield. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Farmington in secondary education English, a master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine in educational leadership, and a doctorate in organizational leadership studies at Northeastern University. His dissertation is focused on how school leaders foster and support innovation at their schools. Jason is a 2000 graduate of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics and chairs the Board of Trustees for the Limestone-based magnet school.
Jennifer Mallett
Math Faculty
York County Community College (YCCC)
With a BS in Mathematics from Gordon College and MS in Mathematics Education from University of Massachusetts, Mallet has taught in both public and private high schools and in addition to her current position at YCCC, she has been an adjunct instructor at the University of New England. She is also a mother of two children ages 12 and 14, whom she homeschools. Mallett enjoys helping students break down big concepts into smaller more manageable chunks and watching their confidence increase. Her professional experience has also allowed her to work with the International School Project, partnering with Russian teachers in an exchange of ideas.
Amanda Nguyen
Digital Learning Specialist
Maine Department of Education
The Commissioner’s designee, Amanda Nguyen recently joined the Maine DOE team to help schools develop programs related to leveraging technology for deeper learning and to increase student engagement and leadership using technology. Prior to DOE, she taught high school math and science, worked with English Language Learners and students with learning differences, and facilitated professional development for adult learners ranging from computer skills to strengthening English and math skills. Nguyen has an A.B. in Biology and Education Studies from Bowdoin College and a Master’s in Education Technology, Innovation and Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
James Ritter
State Librarian and Chief Administrator
Maine State Library
An employee of the Maine State Library since 2012 and a former member and Chair of the Maine Library Commission, Jamie Ritter focuses on extending the library’s services relating to emerging technologies and research & development initiatives. During his time leading the Maine State Library, he has reorganized public areas and launched a “remaker space” to allow public access to technology to facilitate the digitization of photos, audio and video. Ritter is also active on the Board of Maine Infonet, a statewide collaborative of academic, public, school, and special libraries that provides leadership in resource sharing, promotes cost effective solutions for quality library information services, and supports the cultural, educational, and economic development of Maine.
Prior to joining the Maine State Library, Ritter served as Deputy Director of the Camden Public Library and also worked for MBNA as Vice President in Administration and Community Relations, and for Camden National Bank as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning. During Ritter’s employment at MBNA, he oversaw the creation of the MBNA Foundation Library Grants Program.
Robert Neely
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Maine System (UMS)
With 17 years of experience in public higher education, Robert Neely has been a biology professor, researcher, department chair, and an academic leader. Under Neely’s leadership at the University of Maine System, he helps each of the public universities collaboratively expand access to learners of all ages, backgrounds, and locations while developing a strategic portfolio of academic programs that increases the capacity of public higher education to serve critical state needs and attract attention, resources, and talent to Maine. Prior to his current role, Neely served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas Woman’s University.
Maine DOE Newsroom 