Innovative Educators is an evolving series conversation with educators from across the state of Maine. We believe that restructuring the state’s education system starts with deep listening to education professionals to learn from their thoughtful approaches to educating young people. Too often, education policy in Maine is driven by political interests rather than what is best for students, teachers, and families. These conversations offer an opportunity to engage teachers, and amplifying their professional voices to inform innovative educational policy. Innovation in education is more than finding new approaches to teaching and learning, it includes finding ways to allow teaching and learning to flourish within a less bureaucratic administrative and governance infrastructure. We hope you appreciate hearing the experience of the following, innovative Maine educators.
Click on one of the conversations to the right to learn more.
Scott Barksdale is the Head of School for the Harpswell Coastal Academy. Scott began his career as a musician but found that friends who were teachers seemed the happiest in their career choices. That change in career trajectory developed into and 11-year career...
Public Schools are filled with Innovative educators and leaders. In this interview, Aaron Churchill speaks with Julia Sleeper-Whiting, Executive Director of the Tree Street Youth Center and Jake Langlais, Superintendent of the Lewiston Public Schools. In this...
Fern Des Jardins has served her community of St. Agatha in rural Maine for all her professional life. Fern has influenced the lives of hundreds of students in her classroom as well as education leaders across the state and country. In this remarkable interview, Fern...
Early in his career as a middle school teacher in Philadelphia Travis Works realized the best way for a child to achieve success was to provide them what they need when they need it. Although most of the education research encouraged that, it not practiced in the...
EdForumofMaine · Cobscook Institute - Kara McCimmon Director Kara McCrimmon, is an educator who was able to forge creative alternative pathways for students desiring to engage in experiential learning not typically offered at a district schools. In a creative...
Erica Mazzeo is the Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment in RSU 57. Her unique educational history as researcher and teacher in public, private and public charter schools makes her an exceptional resource in Maine as the state endeavors to reimagine a...
After 31 years as an educator in the “bricks and mortar” public school system, Maine native Walter Wallace took on the role of Principal at one of the State’s two virtual public schools. Prior to the Covid pandemic, many were suspicious of virtual schools. Maine...
Kylie Bragdon, Head of the Maine Ocean School in Searsport is a self-described “Downeast Girl” who followed her family’s generational involvement with lobstering. Sensing a need to provide educational opportunity to students who did not fit into typical district...
Brittiny-Rae Perron was headed for a career in medicine when an internship at the Perkins School for the Blind outside Boston changed her career trajectory. Brittiny-Rae discusses with Aaron Churchill how her experiences with Teach for America in Nashville followed...
Matt Newberg is a master educator with 20 years’ experience in fostering student-centered learning. In this conversation with our host Aaron Churchill, Matt discusses topics that are subtle, innovative approaches to educational success practiced at the Maine Academy...
Our inaugural conversation with creative education leaders across the state of Maine features Heather King, Head of School for the Maine Arts Academy. Heather discusses how this charter school offers an integrated arts curriculum for students from rural areas in...
Matt Newberg is a master educator with 20 years’ experience in fostering student-centered learning. In this conversation our host Aaron Churchill discusses topics that are subtle innovative approaches to education success practiced at the Maine Academy of Natural...