Fast Facts

Fast Facts

Interesting facts and quotes about Association membership and public education in Maine and beyond. Have an idea or stat you want shared? Send it along with your name and local to gbechard@maineea.org

“HONESTLY, I FEEL THIS IS WHERE I AM SUPPOSED TO BE, WORKING WITH HIGH SCHOOL KIDS IS MY GIFT.”

Dr. Richard Nickerson said in the Portland Press Herald after being named one of the 10 national finalists for the music educator Grammy Award. Among his many other distinctions, Nickerson has been recognized by Choral Director Magazine as one of 10 “Choral Directors of Note” in the United States.

“THE MEA AND ITS MEMBERS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH DR. BOB HASSON. DR. HASSON IS AN EXPERIENCED EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL WHO WILL BRING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE TO A DEPARTMENT THAT NEEDS STABILITY, ESPECIALLY NOW AS EDUCATORS WORK TO IMPLEMENT NEW STATE AND FEDERAL MANDATES.” Lois Kilby-Chesley, MEA President after announcement Bill Beardsley would step down as the head of the Department of Education

INSIDE

THE NUMBERS 61%

Percent of Teachers in the United States make in salary compared to other similarly educated full-time non-teachers. Ranked 11th in the world according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

44,634

Highest starting teacher salary with a Bachelor’s Degree in Maine - located in the WellsOgunquit CSD

30,000

Lowest starting teacher salary in Maine - 12 different districts including; Southern Aroostook Region 2, Princeton, RSU 86 (Fort Fairfield), Calais, RSU 88 (Van Buren), RSU 32 (Ashland), RSU 79 (Presque Isle), Madawaska, Machiasport, Machias and Cutler

UNITED STATES TEACHERS EARN 61% OF WHAT SIMILARLY EDUCATED NON-TEACHERS EARN According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

$47,095

Median Maine household income, according to latest Kids Count data

46.8

Percent of Maine school children eligible for free/reduced lunch, according to the latest Kids Count data