Editor’s Note

Ifirst moved to Maine in 2001. I’d never been here before. Growing up in New Jersey, Maine might as well have been the moon. In fact, when I told my Nana, at the time, where I was going that’s exactly what she said- “why don’t you just go to the moon?”

When I first pulled off the exit in Bangor, I saw the big Paul Bunyan statue and, I’ll admit, I said where the heck am I? Needless to say, there weren’t any huge lumberjack statues in Jersey where I grew up. I immediately felt like I wouldn’t fit in-and trust me I didn’t. I talked differently, had different views because of how I grew up, and didn’t understand why I couldn’t find an Italian bakery with a good cannoli on every other corner. I was beyond sheltered to how people lived in more rural parts of the countryand yes, when you’re from New Jersey and go to college in Boston, Bangor is rural.

I’ve since learned so much about this great state and can’t imagine living anywhere else. I understand I’ll never be a Mainer, and nothing against Maine, but I don’t want to be. I’m proud of my roots, but also proud to raise two true Mainers who play and bike in the woods. Where I grew up there weren’t any woods. We had 6 Maine Educator • November 2019

diners, bowling alleys and malls. It was great for me, but I know my kids have it good—Maine is a great place to grow up. As the state celebrates its 200th anniversary there are so many interesting ways educators are using the resources Maine has to offer to teach their students. From the Swedish Colony in Northern Maine to the wildlife in the vast woods and now a Mainer in space, there are many lessons to be learned from the state’s history and environment. To learn more about how your colleagues are using Maine in their lessons turn to page 18 and page 24.

While Maine is a great place to live and work, it’s hard to ignore the state still lags behind in compensation for educators. While the MEA has been victorious in working to increase teacher pay and help raise the minimum wage, there is still work to be done. MEA believes it is important for members to have a complete understanding of how other educators in their areas are paid, so they can best negotiate for themselves, and also understand how other professionals, with similar education, are compensated as well. To that end, MEA continually compiles salary reports from around the state and publishes them in this magazine, and in this issue, we’ve put together data to compare teaching salaries with other professions. You can find that information on page 9.

As you continue to plug along through the Fall, and obligations seems to pile up, I encourage you to make sure you’re taking time for yourself, and if you need help in your career make sure you reach out to MEA. We always have your back.

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