#WEAREMEA THE FACES OF YOUR ASSOCIATION
The MEA is nothing without its members. Too often, from outside groups, the MEA is talked about as an entity, an “it” not a who. The truth, as we know it, is the MEA are the men and women who are doing the hard work of educating the children of Maine. Maine Educator felt it was important to highlight this fact, and share the stories of its members, because #WeAreMEA.
Working in collaboration with NASA to infuse STEM curricula into classrooms
Sarah
Hirschfield is one of just 50 teacher advisors from across the country, and the only from Maine, to be selected by the education team at Boston public media producer WGBH to help design digital resources for nationwide STEM curricula entitled, “Bringing the Universe to America’s Classrooms.” The initiative will create new instructional models and digital media tools for STEM learning. The digital learning resources will be produced by WGBH in collaboration with NASA, and will be distributed free of charge through PBS LearningMedia, which the MEA proudly supports through donations to Hirschfield, Science teacher, Maine’s local public television, Maine Public. “The fact that this is a collaboration with NASA is really cool! The Yarmouth High School graphics are extremely visual and you get a perspective from space looking down at earth that is unique. There are so many great resources to use and help for teachers to learn how to use them—there is guidance on what the topics are, essay samples, discussion questions that you can use with your students—it’s exciting. PBS LearningMedia is available free to all educators and reaches millions of students and teachers nationally.
Bringing History to Life in the County
Garrett Martin, Social Stud ies teacher, Fort Fairfield Middle/High Sc hool
As a lover of the outdoors, Garrett Martin makes a point to take his students out into the world around him. Making the most of his community in Aroostook County, Martin recently partnered with the Frontier Heritage Historical Society in Fort Fairfield as well as the Fort Fairfield Town Library to provide students studying U.S. History with the opportunity to make the connection between a historical period and their local community. Specifically, students were in the midst of learning about the Industrial Revolution and were working on learning goals related to its impact on American Society and specifically rural communities. Students toured the Town Library (a gift from Andrew Carnegie) as well as the Block House, Train Depot, McIntosh School House, and Friend's Church. Volunteers including Jim Everett, Jennifer Gaenzle, and Ken Peters presented to students at each location and answered their questions. Following the field trip, students were asked to reflect on specific connections between changes in their community and those brought on by the Industrial Revolution. Feedback from students was very positive, and they indicated that trips like this help to make the history they are studying more real and relevant.
Connecting aspiring educators with current members and together helping school communities
d tired E e R y t n ou York C (YCREA) 12
ucators
YCREA completed another very successful and rewarding Day of Caring Project. This year, the MEA Retired members worked with the Dayton Consolidated School in Dayton to weed, plant and mulch an area around the school sign. In addition, the group, including members from local associations and pre-service teachers weeded and replanted a garden by the front entrance, painted two bathrooms, a classroom and the back wall of the stage, stained the stage stairs and painted games on the blacktop. The group accomplished an amazing amount of work, proving even in retirement MEA members continue to help students succeed.
