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Hello All,

I grew up in a small town in Upstate New York, near Albany. I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in Architecture and practiced in Princeton, New Jersey. I have attended university abroad, a semester abroad in Rome, Italy, a post-graduate project in Gothenburg, Sweden, and then I attended the Architectural Institute of London, England. My studies after college focused on urban design and planning, and upon finishing at AI, I returned to Princeton to work as an urban planner.

As I continued to explore my professional interests, I was asked to teach an Architecture class at Princeton Day School (PDS). That was the day that I found my passion for teaching high school students. I was hired as a full-time math teacher at PDS and worked there for four years. I then wanted to learn more about teaching and taught a few different private schools in New England. I have always been interested in education at public schools, but I was without a teaching certificate. Then, I learned that Gorham High School needed a math teacher, and due to a teaching shortage, I needed no teaching certificate. I have been teaching at GHS ever since.

Currently, I live in central Maine - outside of Augusta, with my husband - our three adult sons are making their way in the world. I am excited about education policy and would like classroom teachers to make education policies in Maine.

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Hi everyone! My name is Rika Judd and I am currently working as the Director of Graduate Admissions at the University of New England, a position I've held for just over 2 years. Unfortunately, in the two years that I've lived in Maine, most of it has been spent in lockdown mode, so I still have a long list of places to visit in this beautiful state! Professionally, I've spent my entire 20+ year career working in graduate admissions/enrollment management and have a specific specialty in health professions education. When I am not at work, I volunteer a couple of times a week at an equine therapy/para-dressage facility, as well as other animal-related organizations.

During this program, I hope to focus my research on access to graduate education as it relates to DEI, as well as researching the opportunities and challenges of graduate education for those that come from non-traditional backgrounds.

On a personal note, I have one son who is currently a student-athlete at USM and plays both ice hockey and lacrosse for the university.  My husband (who is a Mainer) and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary at the end of September, which is also exciting. I look forward to getting to know everyone better over the next 3 years as we take on this educational journey together!

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Hello! Seems we are starting off with professional roles...so: I am the executive director at Education Action Forum of Maine, just took the role up over the last few months. We are all about providing collaborative, generative spaces for people to come to gather to learn about, create, and support high quality responsive options for students in the public education system in Maine. This looks like working with DOE, Charter Commission, districts, charters, magnets, principals, superintendents, school boards, etc. I am also the co-founder of the Source School, a group working to leverage the Innovative Schools legislation (2011) to bring a "safe" way for responsive and innovative methods and approaches that value connection to community, nature, and self to grow in districts Maine. Last, I'm an entrepreneur in the process of developing an app for a project my daughter Zoe and I started over the winter called SHARELocal, with the support of the Alfond Foundation through Tortoise Labs, to reduce food insecurity while supporting locally owned markets.

I've run an independent school in Manhattan, been the ED of a Waldorf charter school in Colorado, and taught 1-8 at Maine Coast Waldorf in Freeport. I've also provided art therapy to children and their parents, done graphic design and marketing for architecture firms, and perhaps most importantly, raised three powerful young women who now reside in NYC, DC, and VA. My husband, Jason, is an architect in Boston, and my chi-weenie, Joey, spends her time warming our couch cushions in Freeport, where we have lived since 1997. (Yup, it meant a lot of LONG commutes once our last child was in college!)

I have an MEd from Antioch New England Univ., a professional training in art therapy from Tobias School for Art and Therapy in the UK, and a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School / HGSE. Most anything art or architecture related, reading, playing piano, cross country skiing, and spending time in nature are my non-professional pursuits. I am THRILLED to be with you all in this next phase of my education.

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Was great to see you all on Saturday! I live in Rockport but work remotely as Deputy Executive Director for State Leadership at the Council of Chief State School Officers in DC, which is the national membership organization for the state commissioners of education.  We provide a host of supports for our members (we have teams that work in various content areas and run a series of networks and conferences each year), including a set of programming we call the Leadership Academy, which is designed to support our members in their leadership of these state agencies. As a part of that, we run a summer leadership convening, and will often travel out to states to help them plan and build their capacity to lead. This is also my area of interest in terms of research for this program--what are the distinct  leadership challenges that these state leaders face (especially in these very divisive times), and what leadership strategies and approaches might be most impactful for them to adopt?

Before joining CCSSO in 2013, I was Commissioner of Education here in Maine, having come to that role from a short stint in the governor's office and several years working on education policy at a public policy think tank. I served in the Maine legislature as well, from 2002-2006, being first elected to that position while I was teaching social studies at Camden-Rockport Middle School. Altogether, I spent 10 years as a middle and high school teacher both in Virginia and here in Maine.

My wife is Pre-K teacher just launching a new outdoor Pre-K program up the road at our local elementary school, our daughters are 19 and 22, and we share our home with our sweet old yellow lab, Brady.

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Hi all-

I’m Will. I’m currently an Assistant Principal at Kennebunk High School. Before coming to Kennebunk, I was an English teacher and department head at Gray-New Gloucester High School for eleven years. Before that, I served as a special education teacher at Good-Will Hinckley, a private special-purpose school in central Maine.

A while back, I became interested in proficiency-based education and decided to self-design a Master’s program at USM based around investigating what would truly make the philosophy work for students, which was thankfully accommodated in the Abilities and Disabilities program. Public Policy, it seems to me, would be an interesting next step in influencing the direction of education.

Continuing my career in administration has been interesting and challenging, for sure, and I look forward to continuing my journey exploring the promotion of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in public education. I am particularly interested in rethinking traditional structures that foster separation and division in the way we serve students. There are also tons of opportunities in professional development for teachers to help foster greater equity for students.

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Hello!  My name is Terri.  I am currently the Director of Student Support and Development at UMA in Augusta. I came to higher education six years ago now and thoroughly enjoy working with adult learners in my current role. I have oversight of 3 vastly different areas of student support.  Each day the work presents unique and interesting challenges, as there is never a dull moment.

Prior to this work, I served as a clinical social worker across many different settings from residential treatment facilities, within k-12 public and private school settings, I maintained a private practice, and was also employed in outpatient clinics.  My very first career after completing my undergraduate degree in Biology, was as a high school science teacher.

I live in Hallowell with my partner, one of our 2 daughters, (13), (our other daughter is living on her own after just graduating from nursing school!) our two dogs (1 is a puppy  - yikes!) and our cat.  I love anything outdoors, going on adventures, listening to music, and being a dance mom.

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Hi to you all!

I am a social worker. I received both my BSW & MSW from USM. I also hold a Certificate in Principled Negotiation from Harvard Law School. The bulk of my career has centered around working with families experiencing high conflict separation, divorce, post divorce and step families. I also work with victims/ survivors of intimate partner violence. I currently serve as the president of the board of directors at the Kids First Center where I also facilitate and work on the re-design of our continuum of care. I have a private practice where I continue this work as well.

This will mark my 10th year at Portland Public Schools where I have held a variety of roles as a social worker including school social worker, day treatment clinician, McKinney-Vento Liaison, co-coordinator of the social work department and this year I will be full time at Portland Adult Education.

I am a solo parent of a 20 year old son, an almost 17 year old daughter and 3 golden retrievers.

I am looking forward to being on this journey with you all!

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Hi everyone! I am the funder and CEO at  Gateway Community Services, an organization that provides mental health and other community support service to refugees and immigrants. We have offices in Portland, Lewiston, Biddeford and Augusta. I have worked in the social service and mental health fields for the past 15 years. I have recently started a small Media organization (Boundless MEdia) and working on an app-based delivery business. I am also involved in a real estate work in Kenya.

I am originally from Somalia but spent most of my life in Kenya. I came to the united States in 2009 and was resettled in Lewiston, ME. I have lived in Portland since 2011.
Like many others, I am the first generation college student and the only college educated member in my family. I have received my undergraduate degree in Social Science (and minor in economics) from USM in 2014. I have enrolled in a graduate program at the end of 2014 at the Southern New Hampshire university and received Masters in Justice Studies  with concentration on Public Administration in 2016.
I am excited and looking forward to this new journey!

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Hi all! I am the Coordinator of Education Abroad at the University of Southern Maine and I also serve as an adjunct faculty in the Tourism and Hospitality department. I teach courses on Cultural Tourism and Group Tour Management. I moved to Maine about five years ago and live in Westbrook with my husband and our new puppy Lettie, who we just brought home a week ago!

I am originally from Chicago and studied Sociology at the University of Illinois. I worked in Chicago for about four years managing a student travel company where I planned and led cultural exploration programming for high school exchange students.

I then moved to Nashville where I earned my K-12 ELL teaching license and taught second grade for two years.

I received my Masters in Public Policy a couple years ago and am excited to continue my education and am looking forward to getting to know you all!

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Hello all!  Emily MacKinnon, here! The slide has Bio info. My platform:
First- I'd like to see an amendment to the Constitution that guarantees a Free Appropriate Public Education to all our US children, ages 6-18 because of the variance in state constitutional wording.
Second- My focus in this year's Maine DOE LDP cohort has been how to better engage all learners in their public education which fosters academic achievement. Our work has  focused on research and readings from  National Center on Economics and Education (NCEE formerly NISL- National Institute for School Leadership).
I believe all children need opportunities to think critically and creatively, to stretch and be challenged at appropriate levels. Often, these experiences happen only in accelerated/advanced/gifted and talented classes. There ARE a range of profoundly, highly and gifted students who need significant modifications to their academic/fine arts academic content, the heart of Maine's Chapter 104 legislation. However, in our academic meritocracy Pk-12, if a student does not qualify or even just misses that local percentage talent pool of up to 5%, the opportunity cycle is broken for academic and fine arts challenges or enrichment, creative problem solving, etc.   In case studies we've been reading, when the level of rigor and expectations for all are increased, school wide and systemwide transformation in academic improvement occurs!   https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/publications/human_rights_magazine_home/2014_vol_40/vol_40_no_2_civil_rights/educational_rights_states/

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It's great to read about everyone! My name is Mara Sanchez. I am a Policy Associate at the Cutler Institute, which is housed at the University of Southern Maine. My focus area is youth and criminal justice policy research, program development, and evaluation, but I am particularly passionate about educational pathways for students who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system. I co-lead the Opportunity Scholars initiative at USM, which seeks to build bridges to education for justice impacted individuals. I also co-lead the Place Matters (https://placemattersmaine.org/) portfolio of projects which supports building an opportunity landscape across all Maine communities.

I received my Master's of Policy, Planning, and Management from USM and have been working in my current role for 5 years. Before this, I worked as a documentary and then news producer at MSNBC and then the local NBC affiliate, before stepping away to have my kids and shift careers.

Those kids are now 10 (my son Donovan) and 12 (my daughter Adelin)! I live with them, and my husband, Matt, in Falmouth. We also have a dog, Sunshine. I love listening to and discovering music, traveling to new places (especially in this great state!), cooking (and also eating), baking bread , (I've been making all my own bread since 2013), reading (historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy), and either swimming in or being near to the ocean.

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Hello! For the past four years, I have been working at Camden Hills Regional High School as an Assistant Principal. In many ways, CHRHS feels like home and has been a great fit for me personally and professionally. Prior to CHRHS, I worked at a neighboring school for six years. During my time at Oceanside High School, my progression involved teaching all content areas of science, transitioning to a quasi-leadership position as an Instructional Leader and then finally spending my last two years as Principal. I often tell people that I am still teaching every day but my classroom looks vastly different.
I received my master's in science education at Montana State University, which was a majestic setting for exploring hands-on / inquiry based science teaching practices. Subsequently, I received my CAGS at UNE in Educational Leadership.
I live in Rockport, Maine with my husband and two children, Bailey and Bryce. For the first time in my career, I will have both of my kids at the school where I work. I feel honored to live, work and raise our children in the same community. I love the great outdoors and being active with my kiddos. We enjoy skiing, hiking, paddling and biking.

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Hello everyone!  My name is Daniel (Dan) Leclair.  Five years ago, I started a new program at the University of Maine at Augusta in remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) where I am currently the Director of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Education and Research. Prior to that I worked as a consulting engineer for both government and private enterprises and prior I served for 20+ years in the US Air Force in the communications field.

I have a M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from the University of Maine, a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Instructional Design also from UMaine, and a BS in Aviation from UMA.  I hold an FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with over 2,000 hours flying traditional aircraft and hold an FAA sUAS Remote Pilot certificate with over 1,000 hours flying RPA’s.  I volunteer for the US Air Force Auxiliary where I serve as a Command Search & Rescue pilot and on the Inspector General team at the national headquarters.  I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Wreaths Across America and have served on numerous other boards over the years.

I am married to Pam Rowe Leclair who I met in Latin class in the 9th grade and we currently live in Minot Maine with our two dogs CoCo & Pearl.  Hobbies include camping, ham radio, and anything I can fly either from the flight deck or from the ground.  I look forward to meeting you all and to our discussions.

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Hi everyone! I currently work as a Research Associate at the Institute for Health Policy and Practice (IHPP) at the University of New Hampshire. IHPP is an applied research institute located within the College of Health and Human Services, there are five focal areas at the Institute, and each team contributes to the implementation of evidence-based strategies and the improvement of population health. Of these focal areas, I work within the Health Law and Policy division. Some of our current projects include providing technical assistance for the NH Medicaid to Schools program, drafting the NH 988 suicide prevention lifeline implementation plan, and providing policy support to the state opioid response team on the 'Doorways' program.

Before UNH, I served as the Town Manager in Jackman, Maine for almost three years. As a local government official, I played an essential role in increasing equitable healthcare access for the Jackman region through two separate projects. Through collaborative community efforts, we expanded the regions emergency medical service infrastructure and enabled fixed-wing Life-Flight capabilities at our municipal airport.

I have a master's degree in public policy, which I earned on an academic scholarship in Dublin, Ireland. I specialized in citizenship rights and focused my research efforts on global education disparities and access inequalities.

Although my fiance and I have relocated to New Hampshire, we are both Mainers. We recently added a puppy to our household, he is four months old and a handful in the best way. His name is Archibald Corgnelious, and yes, he is a Corgi! Archie, like his humans, is also from the great state of Maine.

I am truly looking forward to starting this academic journey with all of you, and I hope you make every attempt to enjoy what's left of the summer before then.

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In 2001 I graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy focusing on Feminist Theory, Ethics and Social Justice.  I have held two full-time, tenured faculty positions in Philosophy and Women’s Studies at the College of Southern Nevada and Northwestern Michigan College spanning sixteen consecutive years (2003-2019).  In January 2019 I became a certified Experiential Education Instructor through the National Society for Experiential Education.  This proved to be a turning point in my career as my focus began to shift away from thinking solely about my personal teaching philosophy and pedagogy to examining the connections between the ancient teachings of Socrates on education with that of the more contemporary approach that emphasizes high-impact, transformative learning.

In Book VII of The Republic, Plato, using Socrates as his mouthpiece, provides an in-depth analysis on the meaning of a genuine education, and thus what it means to be “truly educated”.  He describes learning as an “intellectual journey” that each willing individual must engage in on her/his own.  As this description suggests, learning is an active, personally intimate experience, as opposed to the more passive approach of transmitting impersonal information from one source to another.  What’s more, the contemporary teachings of experiential education echoes many of Plato’s ideas on learning.  I am captivated by the intersection of these ancient and modern ideas and how they might translate to the larger academic community.  As such, I recognized the need to return to school to expand my knowledge of higher education, public policy, and especially educational leadership.

I live in Portland with my husband Chris and our 5.5 year old son Cole. I so look forward to sharing this next intellectual journey with all of you!

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I have served as the principal of Greely Middle School 6-8 for the last eight years. Prior to my current role, I was the assistant principal at Greely High School for three years and an eighth grade math and science teacher for about ten years. I am deeply committed to supporting the academic and social-emotional growth of middle level learners.

I hold a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut, an M.S. in Teaching and Learning from USM, and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Ed. Leadership from USM.

I live in Topsham with my husband and our dog. We have two daughters, ages 21 and 19, who pop in from time to time when they are on break from their respective colleges. In our spare time, we like to go boating, hiking, and kayaking when we can.

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I currently serve as the vice president of planning at Colby College, a position I’ve held since 2016. In this role, I’m responsible for integrated planning across the institution and advancing strategic initiatives, including the development of new academic programs, enhancing the student experience, strategic partnerships, and the physical/campus environment. I have direct oversight of the College’s economic and community development efforts in Waterville; Facilities Services, which includes a nearly-$500 million capital program, sustainability, and campus operations; College-wide events and ceremonies (e.g., commencement); and more. Prior to be named vice president, I served as assistant to the president and director of planning at Colby and held a series of strategy and planning roles in the president’s office at the University of Chicago.

I earned a BA in government and law and art at Lafayette College in 2004 and a MPPM from the Muskie School in 2007. I’ve also participated in several management and leadership development programs at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Harvard Graduate School of Education. I serve as Secretary of the Central Maine Growth Council and a Director with the arts organization Waterville Creates.

I’m originally from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and currently live in Winslow with my wife (also a Maine native) and my son, who just celebrated his 7th birthday. I enjoy mountain biking, playing guitar, and enjoying Maine’s incredible food scene.

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Hello! I am the Director of Kennebunk Free Library and have been at this great place for almost 6 years. Prior to that I worked briefly in Westbrook at Walker Memorial Library. Before moving to Maine, I worked at the Long Island (NY) Maritime Museum for 4 years. I am originally from NY and went to Queens College where I received my MLIS. I spent time as the Maine representative for the Maine Library Association to the New England Library Association. I currently sit on the board of my local library and recently joined the Networkmaine Council.

I live in East Waterboro with my husband, Justin, and our tiny humans, Sophia (4) and Maximilian (19 months). I equally enjoy being an athlete and a gamer and love every opportunity to learn and explore.

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Greetings! I am the Director of Innovative Teaching and Learning at the Maine Department of Education. I have worked at the Maine DOE for the past 7 years where I held the positions of Visual and Performing Arts Specialist and then Coordinator of Secondary Education and Integrated Instruction before moving into my current role nearly 2 years ago.
Before coming to the Maine DOE, I was an English and theatre educator and administrator at the middle and high school level for 10 years in both Maine and Connecticut.
In addition to my day job, I am a MSAD 49 School Board member as well as an Advisor for the Olympia Snowe Leadership Institute, where I mentor a group of young high school women through their 10-12 grade years.
I received my BA from Lawrence University with majors in English, education, and theatre and my Ed. M from Harvard University in School Leadership with a concentration in teacher leadership.
I live in Fairfield with my husband, Greg, our two daughters, Lillian (17) and Paige (10), our dog, Allie, and cat, Rocky.
I love performing in and directing local community theatre. I just completed a run performing the role of Carrie in Lakewood Theatre's Drinking Alone and am currently directing The Dinner Party at the Waterville Opera House, which is set to open September 3rd.

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I work at the University of New England as the Director of Student Conduct, a position I've held since 2016. Prior to UNE, I worked at Southern Maine Community College from 2003-2016.

I'm originally from Woodland, Maine (Aroostook County), I'm a proud first-generation college student and graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington with a B.A. in Psychology and Northeastern University with a M.S. in Counseling Psychology and College Student Development.

I have worked with college students for over 20 years in the areas of residential life, student involvement, student conduct, academic advising, veteran services, career and transfer services, new student orientation, and as a Psychology instructor. I am very involved in my professional association-NASPA, Student Affairs Adminstrators in Higher Education and  I currently serve as the NASPA Region 1 Public Policy Division representative and have previously served as the NASPA Maine State Director and a number of other volunteer leadership positions with NASPA.

I live in Portland with my wife, Meg, and two Children Maddie (16) and Leo (12). I enjoy camping and hiking, and since 2015 have hosted a weekly classic hip-hop show on USM's WMPG community radio station.