We Are MEA
Congratulations to Karina Escajeda, Augusta EA, who received an NEA Learning and Leadership Grant to study Arabic in Egypt this summer. Escajeda was also selected to participate in the Fulbright DA (Distinguished Award in Teaching) program in the second semester of the 20192020 school year. She is one of 26 teachers, nationally, who have been selected, and one of two teachers who will be placed in Greece. “I am looking forward to representing Maine overseas as a citizen ambassador with the Fulbright program, and I am looking forward to improving my Arabic this summer for the benefit of the Augusta Schools community,” said Escajeda.
Congratulations to Thornton Academy TA member Jodi Thomas who was named Maine Art Education Association Teacher of the Year!
Thomas has taught at Thornton Academy since 2002 and has instructed a wide range of visual art classes. Additionally, Thomas ran a Summer Arts for Kids and Summer Arts for Teens camp. “Ms. Thomas is willing to help; she allows students space to grow as individuals and to become more independent. I think this is the most notable aspect of the class environment she creates–– students are comfortable enough to express creativity, while still understanding the effort that they must put in to succeed,” student Megan Bainbridge told Thornton Academy’s online publication.
Lynn Snow has been named the 2019 Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. She
is a 5th grade Science and English teacher at Thomaston Grammar School. Thomaston Grammar School is a K – 5 school serving approximately 200 students. Lynn has taught 5th grade at the school since 2007.
Michele Lawless and Anais Aguirre from Portland EA made their way to NEA headquarters in Washington, D.C. for
a training on Race and Equity, to learn more about how help our students and how to encourage people from diverse backgrounds to enter the profession. 18
Maine Educator • June 2019
In the fall of 2009, Lynn and three of her colleagues decided to take on the task of transforming an abandoned high school ropes course area into a school garden. Together, these individuals began what is now known as the TGS Common Ground Garden & Outdoor Classroom. It is this project that set Lynn in motion to integrate agriculture into her teaching. Today, Lynn serves as the lead garden teacher at her school and uses much of the garden’s harvest in her classroom that is equipped with a full kitchen. Over the years, Lynn and teammates have worked with hundreds of 10year old students that consistently claim that the “garden” was the best part of their 5th grade year! Learn more about the TGS Common Ground Garden and Maine Ag in the Classroom by heading to the Maine Educator Online. Here are the links for the online magazine: https://www.agclassroom.org/me/
