Essay Contest Winners Two students and their teachers are batting a thousand after receiving the first ever MEA award for the “My Hero Works at School” essay contest. Samuel Lamontagne and Katie Hallee won tickets for themselves, their families, and their school employee hero to a summer Sea Dogs baseball game. Each student received their award during an on-field ceremony. Both students wrote about how their teachers helped them in class with schoolwork and also helped them grow as individuals. The two MEA members selected as heroes by their students were Marsha Wood (Oxford Hills EA) and Kathy Moody (RSU 23 EA).
“The evening was made even better when we realized we’d be sharing Sam’s special night with his hero, Mrs. Moody!” - Thank you note from Sam Lamontagne’s family
2014 Maine History Teacher of the Year Janice Eldridge (MSAD 60 TA) was named the 2014 Maine History Teacher of the Year. Eldridge teaches American History at Noble High School in North Berwick. Eldridge began her career at Noble in 2002 and has been teaching there ever since. Congratulations Janice!
“It’s such a huge honor.” - Janice Eldridge
Teacher Scholars Attend Acadian Culture Summer Institute Way to go Carolyn Horth (Orrington TA) and Lynda Millar (Bar Harbor TA) who were among only 20 other educators selected nationally as National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Scholars to attend an Acadian culture summer institute. Horth and Millar participated in the institute entitled Borders and Borderlands: The Acadian Experience in Maine. The institute focuses on the culture and history of French Acadians from the St. John Valley in northern Maine.
MEA Wins Grant to Promote Public Education Thanks to an NEA media grant received by the MEA Communications Department the Association will be able to promote a positive message about our educators and our schools to the public. The State Association Media Grants, which all state affiliate communications departments are entitled to apply for, are intended to advance the cause of public education and publicize the role of the Association and its Affiliates in improving the quality of public education. The State Media Grants proactively advance the Association’s mission through image and reputation campaigns that strengthen the Association’s image among key audiences and the public. The MEA Communications Department applied for the grant last year and the NEA recently awarded the Association $26,528 to air commercials highlighting the great work of our members. While the MEA has applied for this grant in years past, this is the first year it received any funding to help spread the good work of our members. These new commercials, featuring MEA members, will run statewide for six weeks and are already on air, so keep your eyes peeled!
As seen on TV...
To watch the latest videos from MEA log on to: www.vimeo.com/maineed
MEA Members Recognized by Portland Board of Education
Larry Nichols (with Superintendent Emmanuel Caulk and Sarah Thompson) has “the X factor that he brings to [his] building.”
Congratulations to Larry Nichols (Portland EA) and Joni Connolly (BASE) who the Portland Board of Education both recognized for their excellent work. Nichols’ peers chose the technology teacher to receive the University of Southern Maine’s Russell Award for excellence in teaching. In the nomination process his colleagues praised him for his “general sense of humor, supportive nature, general expertise and the X factor that he brings to this building.” Connolly is a lead secretary, who upon retirement, was praised by the Board for her ability to make staff, students and parents feel comfortable and welcome at school. During her 20 years of service peers say Connolly has always had a positive attitude. Good luck in retirement, Joni. September 2014 • www.maineea.org
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