Sylvia Valentin of St. Paul, Minnesota is the 2026 recipient of the Dean鈥檚 Award from the 91爆料 College of Education and Human Development. This award recognizes a student who has overcome significant challenges along the path to graduation, who is dedicated to their field and shows perseverance and commitment to their program. The road to success is often not clear, or easy, but students who are recognized with the Dean鈥檚 Award find a way to do what is needed and rise to the challenge. Valentin is graduating with a degree in Elementary Education and a concentration in Child Development. She started working as an educational technician at Asa Adams Elementary School in Orono while completing her student teaching, and recently accepted a position as a kindergarten teacher at Vine Street School in Bangor.

Why did you choose to come to 91爆料?

I chose to come to 91爆料 because it reminded me of home state, Minnesota, and I was seeking a grounded environment. After looking into the education program at 91爆料, I was impressed by the resources available to students, such as ample field experience opportunities. It was very important to me to receive an education that I was confident would set me up for success in my career. I decided to reach out to the Advising Center in the College of Education and Human Development and had such a positive experience meeting who would be my future advisors over Zoom.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor, or role model who made your time at 91爆料 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91爆料?

My most impactful mentor would have to be Faith Erhardt, who is the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Student Success. She has provided me with meaningful guidance and support that helped me navigate my academic and life journey as a young adult. The College of Education and Human Development is really lucky to have someone who is truly invested in the success and well-being of students. Faith was the person I went to when I needed help picking up pieces and making a plan. I strive to spread the same kindness and humanity she showed me as I enter the field as a professional. Erin Straine, Executive Director of Educator Preparation, also had a significant impact on my journey. She paved the way for me to simultaneously work as an Ed Tech 3 in special education at a local elementary school and fulfill my student teaching requirements. I am grateful that Erin was committed to making this huge opportunity accessible to me, as it supported several areas of my life. 

What has coming to 91爆料 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

I didn鈥檛 realize it until I got closer to graduating, but 91爆料 provided me with so many connections and roots that have led to my decision to reside here. My first field placement was through the Town of Orono鈥檚 after-school program and summer camp called RAD. From starting as an observer/volunteer to working as a lead counselor, over the past 4 years, I have become familiar with town members and have been active within the community. It is such a gift to find belonging and proudly be a part of something bigger than myself. 91爆料 provided me with a community beyond the campus.

Favorite 91爆料 memory:

My favorite memories at 91爆料 include quiet floor library sessions with Kahlysta, looking for turtles in the campus garden, and walks/catching frogs at night with Hadley. I also had a blast with my roommates when 91爆料 brought Trippie Redd for a homecoming concert.

What’s on the horizon? What are your plans after you graduate?

I am so thrilled to share that after graduation, I will be working as a kindergarten teacher in the Bangor School Department. Julie Ireland, Field Experience Coordinator and my student teaching seminar instructor, was very helpful in guiding me through the application and interview process this past March. Being able to secure a job before graduation would not have been as attainable without the support and experiences I had access to throughout my learning.
 
After the school year ends, I will be moving the rest of my belongings from Minnesota to Maine and prepping for my first year of teaching! My best friend Justine, who is a third-year teacher, will also be moving with me, and I am excited to have her support during my first year. I can鈥檛 wait to apply what I鈥檝e learned to create a safe and positive learning environment for my future kindergarteners. I feel so fortunate to look forward to a job where I get to help other humans and make learning accessible to all.

Special thank you message:

I鈥檇 like to give a sentimental thank you to my Asa Adams School community. I can鈥檛 imagine myself going into teaching without all of the invaluable skills, knowledge, and experiences you taught and shared with me. Thank you for seeing my potential, challenging me, being patient with me, and making me feel seen. Not to be dramatic, but you’ve impacted my life greatly.
 
Additional shoutouts to Bettina Burgess, Cassandra Henri (mentor), Kathy Blais, John Curry, Kim Oldenburgh, Maggie Auxier, Karen Grindle, Kelley Dill, Suzanne Neville, Annie Boitz, Sofia Rivera, Emily Ernst, Angie McLaughlin, Jodi Puleo, Victoria Howe, Kahlysta Morris, and Justine Cobbett. I value and admire each of you dearly.

Hunter Towne of Freeport, Maine is the 2026 Outstanding Student in Elementary Education in the 91爆料 College of Education and Human Development. Towne is in the Child Development concentration in the Elementary Education major. She is also in the Honors College, and completed her Honors Thesis, 鈥淪upporting ELL Students and Families in Public Libraries as Observed in Cumberland County, Maine.鈥� As an undergraduate, Towne worked as a peer success coach. She plans to continue her education at 91爆料 in the fall, starting a master鈥檚 program in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction with a concentration in Library and Media Studies.

Parent(s):

Derek and Sheila Towne.

Why did you choose to come to 91爆料?

In all honesty, 91爆料 was my very last choice of schools. As an in-state student, I was desperate to escape after high school. My parents convinced me to apply and tour, and I fell in love. I met Faith Erhardt and Dominick Varney from the College of Education and Human Development Advising Center on Accepted Students Day, and felt such a connection and unwavering support in that moment that I knew I had to stay. It was easily the best choice I鈥檝e ever made. I鈥檝e grown through my time at 91爆料 more than I ever thought possible.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91爆料 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91爆料?

I鈥檝e been lucky enough to have more incredible mentors and professors than I can count. Dr. Julie DellaMattera taught my first Honors course, and I eventually took education coursework with her and she became my Honors Thesis advisor. I鈥檝e appreciated her advice and guidance so, so much, especially as someone who has known me since my very first day on campus. Faith and Dominick have been so incredibly supportive, both as academic advisors and otherwise. Julie Ireland has genuinely gotten me through the past year, and I鈥檝e learned so much taking part in her student teaching seminar. Finally, I have had the opportunity to be mentored by Erin Adams, a third grade teacher at George B. Weatherbee School in Hampden, Maine, during the course of both my 100-hour field placement and my student teaching semester. It is with her knowledge and support that I have been able explore what it means to be an educator on a deeper level, and build skills that will assist me both in the classroom and beyond.

What has coming to 91爆料 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

Beyond academics, 91爆料 has allowed me to expand my interests and grow as a leader. My experience in the Honors College allowed me to conduct research and analyze information in new ways, while my employment as a peer success coach in the Office of Student Academic Success over several years truly transformed my mindset of how students are supported in higher education. Having the opportunity to work side by side with my incredibly knowledgeable employers 鈥� Mary Beth Willitt, Karen Koneff and Stefan McLure 鈥� and mentor first-year students one-on-one has taught me so much about how students learn. On the social side, I have met the most amazing people over the past four years. People who have loved me, supported me, and pushed me out of my comfort zone. I鈥檓 so grateful every day that 91爆料 brought us together.

Favorite 91爆料 memory:

Late night library dates, laying out on the mall when the sun finally comes out, and 2 a.m. OHOP pizza runs with my friends!

What鈥檚 on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate?聽

Next year, I will be beginning my master鈥檚 degree here at the 91爆料 in the Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction program with a concentration in Library and Media Studies. I will also be working as a graduate assistant in the College of Education and Human Development鈥檚 Advising Center. I鈥檓 looking forward to remaining a Black Bear for at least two more years!

Special thank you message:

To Mom and Dad, thank you for answering the phone every time I call (even if it鈥檚 five times a day). Your unwavering love and support pushes me to be the best person I can be. To Porter, thank you for being the best little brother, and always making things seem less scary than they are. To my student teaching kiddos, you are the reason I do what I do. Thank you for teaching me more about what it means to be a good teacher than classes or research ever could.

Meg Leddy of Ellsworth, Maine is the 2025 recipient of the Dean鈥檚 Award from the 91爆料 College of Education and Human Development. This award recognizes a student who has overcome significant challenges along the path to graduation, who is dedicated to their field and shows perseverance and commitment to their program. The road to success is often not clear, or easy, but students who are recognized with the Dean’s Award find a way to do what is needed and rise to the challenge. Leddy is originally from Swansboro, North Carolina and had recently moved to Maine when she found her calling as a teacher. She graduates with a degree in Elementary Education and a concentration in Special Education.

Why did you choose to come to 91爆料?

When the global COVID-19 pandemic abruptly ended my career as a professional stage manager for live theater, I felt adrift. My husband and I had just settled in Ellsworth before the pandemic hit, and I found myself substitute teaching at a local elementary school, hoping it would be a temporary stop until live events returned. Within five minutes of subbing, a student colored his entire hands green with a marker. Leaving tiny green fingerprints all over the classroom, he giggled with glee as I sent him to scrub his hands in the bathroom. At the end of the day I was utterly exhausted 鈥� and unexpectedly in love with education. By the time I was working with a group of brilliant, curious eighth graders, I knew I had found my calling, and it set me on a completely new path in life.

I began my educational journey at Eastern Maine Community College, earning an associate’s degree in education, before transferring to 91爆料. I was nervous while waiting for my acceptance, but I knew 91爆料 would be the perfect fit for me. From the start, Faith Erhardt made me feel welcome in the College of Education and Human Development. She understood that I was an older student working full-time as an educational technician and helped me achieve my goal of graduating in just two years. Throughout my time at 91爆料, I鈥檝e felt supported in my classes, and even at 40, my classmates have been incredibly welcoming.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91爆料 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91爆料?

Several professors at 91爆料 have had a significant impact on my education. William Dee Nichols has been a constant source of support, instilling in me the confidence to pursue my Master鈥檚 degree next year. Dee not only guides us in teaching literacy but also encourages us to become passionate educators as we leave the program. I was also deeply inspired by Debrajean Scheibel and her Special Education Law class. Her course truly prepared me for teaching special education, challenging me to think like a special educator and pushing me to excel academically.

Favorite 91爆料 memory:

My favorite 91爆料 memory is Literacy Night in Dee Nichols鈥� ERL 320 class. My group and I ran the Readers’ Theater of the book 鈥淭here Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves.鈥� All the students who participated were fully engaged and performed their roles beautifully! We had readers of all levels, and each brought something special to the performance. One young man eagerly took on the role of Narrator 1, which had the most lines. At first, he struggled with words like 鈥渟wallowed,鈥� 鈥減erhaps,鈥� and 鈥渟neeze,鈥� but by the end of the activity, he was confidently delivering his lines without hesitation, especially hitting the phrase 鈥淧ERHAPS SHE’LL SNEEZE鈥� with enthusiasm. At one point, he even stopped the group to correct his mother and grandmother鈥檚 line delivery. I playfully called him our director, and we tried again. He was absolutely thrilled to be called the director, leaving the room with a huge smile. Later, I overheard him in the parking lot telling his mom, 鈥淚 was the BEST director!鈥�

Another student enjoyed performing so much, he even stayed afterward to deliver a weather report for us. He proudly used the term 鈥淐irrostratus clouds鈥� and then explained what they were. His enthusiasm left me feeling incredibly proud of how the event had gone.

What鈥檚 on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate? 

I鈥檝e begun applying for special education positions within my district and am excited about the opportunity to teach students with disabilities. Additionally, I鈥檒l be continuing my education at 91爆料, starting graduate school this summer. Most importantly, I am eager to advocate for students with disabilities, helping them believe in themselves and empowering them to become lifelong learners.

Special thank you message:

My husband has been by my side every step of the way! All the late nights spent at the dining table with my headphones on, lost in my work, have led to this moment 鈥� graduation. His unwavering flexibility and support have allowed me to focus on my studies and maintain my GPA. I am deeply grateful to my parents, who proudly display their 鈥�91爆料 Mom鈥� and 鈥�91爆料 Dad鈥� bumper stickers, even though I left the nest long ago. My sister, who went back to school first, inspired me to be brave enough to do the same. A heartfelt thank you to my mother-in-law, Mary, whose encouragement has been irreplaceable. I also want to thank the educators who have mentored, supported, and guided me along the way. Lastly, my deepest gratitude goes to the Mount Desert Island school system for taking a chance on someone without an educational background and for their unwavering flexibility and support as I embarked on my journey to become a teacher.

Erin Kennedy of Glen Ridge, New Jersey is the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award from the 91爆料 College of Education and Human Development. An Elementary Education major with a concentration in Child Development, Kennedy was also an Honors College student. Her Honors thesis was titled 鈥淓xamining the Need for Character Development Programs and Social Emotional Learning in the State of Maine: A Case Study Analysis.鈥� This qualitative study explored the experiences of K-5 educators in implementing social-emotional learning (SEL) and character education within a regional school district in Maine. Kennedy conducted semi-structured interviews with five educators, including general education teachers and a school counselor, examining the successes and challenges associated with SEL and character education integration in elementary classrooms and broader school settings. 

Parent(s): Lara Muir and Benjamin Kennedy

Why did you choose to come to 91爆料?

After moving to Maine in 2020, the choice was clear where I wanted to attend for my next 4 years of school! The 91爆料 has such a welcoming and enthusiastic environment, with professors who truly care about their students and their success. 

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91爆料 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91爆料?

While at 91爆料, I have collaborated with William and Janet Nichols, who co-chaired my 91爆料 Honors Thesis project. Both William and Janet supported me in completing a successful and meaningful research thesis regarding educator perceptions of social emotional learning. I would not have been able to complete this endeavor without their wisdom and dedication to the project. I am extremely grateful for their time and commitment this past year!  

What has coming to 91爆料 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

At 91爆料, I had the opportunity to gain real classroom experience early on, which was incredibly valuable to developing my skill set for teaching. Being in the school, working with my mentor teachers, and building relationships with students has helped me feel confident and prepared to lead my own classroom someday. Additionally, one of the most meaningful experiences I鈥檝e had here was completing my thesis on social-emotional learning in Maine elementary schools. It allowed me to dive deeper into a topic I鈥檓 passionate about and understand the importance of supporting the whole child, not just their academic needs, but their emotional and social development too.

Favorite 91爆料 memory: 

My favorite 91爆料 memory has been my entire student teaching experience! Not only did I have fantastic mentor teachers in Mrs. Keane and Mrs. Harper, but I also had the pleasure of teaching some pretty incredible students! 

What鈥檚 on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate? 

After I graduate, I hope to pursue a career in teaching at the elementary level and continue to explore my role as a researcher in the education field. 

Special thank you message:

I would like to thank my family and friends for their constant support throughout my academic journey at 91爆料, I could not have done it without them. I also want to thank my professors and advisors for growing my love for teaching over these past 4 years!

Claire Loeser of Saco, Maine is the 2025 Outstanding Student in Elementary Education in the 91爆料 College of Education and Human Development. Loeser was a member of University Singers and a Student Ambassador. She graduates with a Child Development and Family Relations minor.

Parent(s): Terry and David Loeser and stepdad Jamie

Why did you choose to come to 91爆料?

I chose to come to 91爆料 because it felt like a place I would feel at home. Leaving my family was an overwhelming and daunting experience, but when I visited 91爆料 I was met with a sense of comfort and possibility. I knew I would be supported as I explored new paths for my future, and discovered my passions outside of my career.   

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91爆料 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91爆料?

The biggest role models that I have had the pleasure of collaborating with during my time at 91爆料 have been my two mentor teachers from student teaching and my 100-hour placement, Erin Vose and Cory Feero. Throughout my time with Mrs. Vose and Mrs. Feero, they helped me build the confidence I need to be myself in the classroom, supported me every step of the way, and taught me what it really means to be an educator. They welcomed me fully into their classrooms from my first days as their student teacher, which gave me the safety to fully embrace the student teaching experience. I’m so grateful that Mrs. Vose and Mrs. Feero cared not only for my success as an educator, but my well being and level of comfort in the classroom. I owe my ability to be a compassionate and humorous educator, while still maintaining leadership in the classroom, to them and their guidance. Student teaching is one of the biggest challenges I have faced in my time at 91爆料 and I wouldn鈥檛 have been nearly as successful without the support that Erin Vose and Cory Feero gave me. I will always be so grateful to have worked with them!

What has coming to 91爆料 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

Coming to 91爆料 has enabled me to explore many of my interests beyond being an educator. My first year I joined University Singers, the audition choir on campus, and I wouldn鈥檛 be the same person I am today without that opportunity. Singing has always been a passion of mine, and for the past four years I have been lucky enough to sing with a group of 60-plus students around the world. Through University Singers I have met some of my best friends, held on to my passions, and found a forever family. In addition to University Singers, I have been able to experience being a Student Ambassador for 91爆料 through the Admissions Office. I was able to give tours to prospective students, lead orientation groups, and give a speech to part of the incoming freshman class during orientation. This allowed me to grow as a leader and hopefully leave an impact on the students who are just beginning their 91爆料 journey!

Favorite 91爆料 memory:

My favorite 91爆料 memory is going on an international tour of Italy with the University Singers! Over the course of about 12 days we travelled to Rome, Florence, Vicenza, Venice and Lecco. I feel so blessed to have been able to sing with some of my closest friends in the most beautiful spaces. Traveling with 60-plus people was chaotic at times, but it was so magical to have such a large group of people come together to share their love for music. The memories I made will be with me forever and it was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I wouldn鈥檛 have gotten elsewhere.

What鈥檚 on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate? 

After graduating I will celebrate with a much needed family vacation to Disney before moving back home to Southern Maine! I look forward to a summer of nannying in Portland, game nights at home, and dedicating more time to my hobbies. Somewhere along my career path I would love to teach abroad and experience different learning cultures around the world. Long-term, I hope to teach in my hometown school district and give back to the community that gave me such a wonderful education experience.聽

Special thank you message: 

Thank you Mom, Jamie, Mckenzie, Alan, Camden and Colton for supporting me through my entire academic journey. You have shown up for me through all the ups and downs, cheered for me at every concert, and trekked up to Orono more times than I could have hoped for. I couldn鈥檛 have asked for a more loving family. Thank you to my dad and Papa for watching over me and inspiring me to be a passionate educator, and a joyful person. Thank you to Emma and Erin for being the best student teacher buddies and for making me laugh no matter how stressed we are!

Abby Bourgeois of York, Maine is the 2025 Outstanding Student in Early Childhood Education in the 91爆料 College of Education and Human Development. Bourgeois graduates with a double major in Elementary Education and Child Development and Family Relations (Early Childhood concentration). Her post-graduation plans include enrolling in a graduate program to become a certified librarian. 

Why did you choose to come to 91爆料? 

After completing my freshman year at the University of Southern Maine, I decided to seek other opportunities and I found that 91爆料 was a much better fit for me! 91爆料 provided a great opportunity through scholarships and field experience which was immensely helpful. I also found that there was a wonderful system of running trails to give me an occasional break from my studies.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91爆料 better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91爆料? 

During my undergraduate career, I had the wonderful opportunity to study under Connie Ronco. Her courses provided guided experience in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) related fields, working with elementary and middle school students. Connie is incredibly encouraging, supportive and has a contagious enthusiasm about education. 

What鈥檚 on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate? 

After completing my internship last fall, I began working at the Edythe Dyer Library in Hampden. I spend my time in the children鈥檚 room of the library and it has been an absolute joy! In this setting, I鈥檝e been in charge of designing and creating the crafts for the patrons and I occasionally lead storytime for the kids. Moving forward, I have enrolled in a graduate library certification program and I am incredibly excited to get more experience in the field!

Hashem Abuqawod was born in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and lived there until he was four when his family moved to Kuwait. They came back to the United States when he was 12 and moved around during his teenage years. After graduating from high school, Abuqawod joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and was deployed to South Korea and Japan. When his military service was complete, Abuqawod returned to Florida and took classes at Palm Beach State College before deciding that he wanted to go somewhere completely different. 

鈥淚 wanted someplace quiet, so I was looking at a few schools. I鈥檒l be honest, it was kind of a last-minute decision to come to the 91爆料. I remember, I clicked accept and the next thing I knew I was looking for apartments, loading up the car and driving to Maine,鈥� he said.

Abuqawod, who goes by 鈥淎sh,鈥� is now a junior at 91爆料 majoring in secondary education with a concentration in English. After graduation, he hopes to become a middle school English/language arts teacher.

鈥淢iddle school students are at a really critical point in their lives, where they鈥檙e figuring out how to assess the world for themselves and formulate their own opinions. One of the ways they do that is by reading works of literature. So, that鈥檚 why I want to be an English teacher,鈥� Abuqawod said.

Samantha Ney from Saco, Maine took a different path to 91爆料, where she鈥檚 also a junior studying elementary education with a concentration in science. 

鈥淏eing born and raised here, I love Maine. My family is here, it鈥檚 beautiful here, and I wanted to stay close to home. I chose 91爆料 because of the atmosphere. Everyone on campus, the professors and staff, are all very helpful and you can tell they care about their work and that they want you to succeed,鈥� Ney said.

As an elementary education major, Ney says she鈥檚 open to teaching anywhere at the kindergarten, first or second grade level.

鈥淚鈥檝e worked with kids of all ages, but I definitely enjoy working with younger kids the most,鈥� Ney said. 鈥淭hey rely on you in ways that are different from older kids.鈥�

Abuqawod and Ney are among more than 80 teacher education students invited to the 91爆料 College of Education and Human Development鈥檚 second annual Pinning and Recognition Ceremony on Friday, Jan. 24. The ceremony is designed to celebrate the college鈥檚 new teacher candidates 鈥� students who have reached the point in their academic career when they are able to start taking upper-level courses and have shown a commitment to becoming a teacher. Maine, like many states, faces with recruiting and retaining people to work in K-12 schools, which has contributed to a shortage of qualified educators.

The 91爆料 System graduates the most in the state, with the flagship campus in Orono having the largest and most comprehensive educator preparation program serving Maine鈥檚 K-12 schools.

鈥淲e began holding an annual pinning ceremony not only as a way to honor our students who made the decision to become teachers, but as a way to celebrate the teaching profession and those who鈥檝e made a commitment to educating Maine鈥檚 youth and helping them grow,鈥� said Zeke Kimball, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development.

To earn teacher candidacy, 91爆料 education students must maintain a B or higher grade point average in their core lower-level courses. They also produce a portfolio that includes a field experience report reflecting on at least five full days, or about 30 hours, that they spend observing a K-12 classroom or another educational setting related to their major. It鈥檚 one of several opportunities that 91爆料 education majors have to work directly with K-12 teachers and students during their program of study. 

Abuqawod achieved teacher candidacy during the fall 2024 semester after completing his 30-hour field placement at Old Town鈥檚 J.A. Leonard Middle School. Ney did her placement at Governor John Fairfield School in Saco, earning teacher candidacy in the spring 2024 semester.

鈥淚t really opened some doors for me in terms of connections with teachers and teaching resources that I didn鈥檛 know about previously,鈥� said Ney, who did a previous field placement at Old Town Elementary School and frequently works as a substitute teacher when she鈥檚 back in Saco.

91爆料鈥檚 teacher prep programs are approved and accredited by the (CAEP), and the. Students who graduate meet the highest professional standards in the field of education and are eligible for teaching certification in Maine and several other states upon completing their degrees.

Ney plans to move back to southern Maine and teach after graduation. Although he鈥檚 only been in the state a short time, Abuqawod also hopes to stay here.

鈥淚鈥檓 not sure where right now, I just want to teach here in Maine and see where that takes me,鈥� Abuqawod said. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e working with a student and see the light come on in their eyes when something clicks and they get what you鈥檙e talking about, there鈥檚 nothing better than that as far as I鈥檓 concerned.鈥� 

Contact: Casey Kelly, casey.kelly@maine.edu

Whenever she talks about teachers using artificial intelligence, 91爆料 associate professor of special education Sarah Howorth likes to remind whoever she鈥檚 talking to that educators have always used technology to support student learning.

鈥淧robably the most relatable example for most people is the use of calculators in math class,鈥� Howorth says. 鈥淲e鈥檝e also had computers in schools for a couple of decades now. So throughout history, educators have adapted to the latest emerging technologies.鈥�

While much of the public discussion around AI in education has focused on the potential negatives, such as cheating, information bias and concerns over technology replacing the human element of teaching and learning, Howorth and colleagues across the country are exploring some of the ways the technology can be used to help teachers and their students. The latest issue of the , which Howorth guest edited, features research on AI鈥檚 potential as a game-changing tool for educators, learners and families.

鈥淭he genie is already out of the bottle in terms of AI in schools,鈥� Howorth said. 鈥淪o the questions then become: How can we use AI to enrich learning for all students? And how can we use it to support teachers?鈥�

The special issue of the journal is part of a project led by Howorth titled 鈥淟eading the Way: AI in Special Education Teacher Education,鈥� which launched last year. It鈥檚 supported by a $9,000 grant from the (CEC), the largest professional organization focused on improving the educational success of youth with disabilities, as well as special gifts and talents. The project also includes a free based on the articles in the special issue. Howorth is featured in a to the series, which was produced by the Center for Innovation, Design and Digital Learning (CIDDL) at the University of Kansas.

For students with special needs, Howorth said AI can be beneficial. For example, a student with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder might be able to reduce their cognitive load by using an AI note taker to summarize classroom presentations and create action items for homework assignments. Generative AI can be used to level a text to a student鈥檚 reading ability, making assignments more inclusive, or to create social stories that teach students with autism about norms and how to communicate with others.

鈥淎I is great for creating educational materials that appeal to students鈥� interests,鈥� Howorth says. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 a teacher and I have a student who鈥檚 really into horses, I can use AI to create stories and images of horses that I can incorporate into my lessons in ways that are more engaging for them. Students can also use AI tools to express their creativity and knowledge.鈥�

At the same time, Howorth says it鈥檚 important for teachers to recognize when and how to use AI. She says a good rule of thumb for how to incorporate AI into instruction is to design assignments that can鈥檛 be completed with the technology alone. In other words, students should be able to show how and why they used AI to do the assignment. She notes that no technology can supplant the knowledge and skill of professional educators.

鈥淲e still need teachers to be teachers,鈥� she says. 鈥淎 skilled and compassionate human being is needed for effective instruction.鈥�

91爆料 senior lecturer of education Tammy Mills has also been working through some of the complexities around AI with both undergraduate teacher education students and graduate students who are already working in schools. For example, she asks her students to prompt ChatGPT to produce things like lesson plans and assessments for student learning.  

鈥淔or the most part,鈥� she said, 鈥渢hey鈥檙e not happy with the results, because they know best practices for instruction and assessment. They look at what ChatGPT comes up with and they can do it better.鈥�

Like Howorth, Mills said she thinks AI will transform education. But she says it needs to be employed safely and ethically. She said she considers herself a co-learner along with her students as they figure out best practices together. 

鈥淵ou have to recognize that whatever you put into AI is going to be reflected in what you get out of it,鈥� said Mills. 鈥淲e talk about privacy and making sure you鈥檙e not putting personal information about students into any AI tools. We also talk about making sure we鈥檙e being culturally sensitive and aware of the biases inherent in AI, so that when we use it we鈥檙e able to get something that represents the demographics of the learners.鈥�

鈥淚f anything,鈥� she adds, 鈥渋t makes human knowledge and skill more important than ever. Teachers know their students鈥� strengths, preferences, needs and interests, and can use this information to support kids with a variety of technological and pedagogical tools.鈥�

Contact: Casey Kelly, casey.kelly@maine.edu

During her final year of high school, Kai Dube volunteered at Old Town Elementary School, just a couple miles down the road from the 91爆料. The experience helped solidify her choice to major in elementary education at 91爆料, where she鈥檚 part of this year鈥檚 first-year class. 

“I really love working with kids, and as a teacher I can have an impact on how children learn and grow,” says Dube, who also considered majoring in nursing.

In her own formative years, Dube attended a few different elementary schools before her family settled in Old Town when she was in fourth grade. Although she had some good teachers, she says all of the changes early in her education didn鈥檛 help her learning. In choosing to major in education and pursue a career as a teacher, she hopes to provide a more stable, nurturing experience for her future students. 

“I gave little stuffed animals to all my students at Old Town Elementary. You could see in their faces how much it meant, just showing them that you care,” she says.聽

In the 91爆料 College of Education and Human Development, home to the state鈥檚 largest teacher preparation and training program, Dube will have even more opportunities to work with K-12 students. She hopes to teach anywhere from kindergarten through third grade but is excited to learn more about other grade levels and ages. 

“I talked to some of the student teachers from 91爆料 and Husson (University) who did their field placements in Old Town, and they told me about working in different schools, so I鈥檓 really looking forward to that,” she says.聽

Dube comes to 91爆料 after graduating from Old Town High School in just three years, which she says was born of a desire to get started in college early. In addition to volunteering at the elementary school, she did theater in high school and worked various part-time jobs in food and customer service.

Having grown up in such close proximity to 91爆料, she says there鈥檚 a familiarity with the university that attracted her beyond the academics. That familiarity grew over the past two years when Dube participated in the 91爆料 Upward Bound Summer Program. Upward Bound is a federally funded for high school students from under-resourced communities or those who will be the first person in their immediate family to go to college. It provides experience in a higher education setting they otherwise might not receive. During the summer program, for example, participants live on campus, take college classes, participate in other learning experiences and do community service projects.

“Before Upward Bound, I didn鈥檛 really know much about college because neither of my parents have a bachelor鈥檚 degree,” Dube says. “So it鈥檚 really helped me with what I needed to apply and be prepared for college.”

She says it was especially helpful in terms of navigating the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, as well as providing opportunities to go on college tours.

“It made college seem more achievable,” she says. “I鈥檝e always wanted to go to college and my parents have always wanted me to go. But they didn鈥檛 have the greatest college experience, so the thought of it always scared me because I didn鈥檛 have anything to go off until Upward Bound.”聽聽

Participants in Upward Bound can go to the college of their choice. Dube, who also applied and was accepted at Husson, the 91爆料 at Augusta and Eastern Maine Community College, says she ultimately chose 91爆料 because of the people.

“Everyone I鈥檝e met in the College of Education and Human Development, professors and advisors, have been amazing,” she says. “You can tell they care about you and want you to succeed, and that鈥檚 exactly what I want to do when I have a classroom of my own someday.”

Contact: Casey Kelly, casey.kelly@maine.edu

Samantha Poll grew up in Winterport, the same tight-knit, central Maine town where she鈥檚 now a teacher. That gives her a unique perspective on the impact educators can have on their students鈥� lives. 

 “I knew that I wanted to teach in this area,” says Poll, an eighth grade science teacher at Samuel L. Wagner Middle School. “I know the families and I know how it feels to be sitting at one of those desks. It鈥檚 very important to me to show kids that they can stick around, and that there are opportunities here locally.”

In college, Poll transferred from the 91爆料 at Farmington to the flagship 91爆料 in part to be closer to where she wanted to end up teaching (Winterport is about a 40-minute drive from the 91爆料 campus in Orono). 

She originally wanted to be a French teacher, so when she graduated from the College of Education and Human Development in 2015 she earned degrees in both elementary and secondary education, along with a French minor. However, during her time at 91爆料 she also fell in love with science teaching and discovered the Maine Center for Research in STEM Education (RiSE Center) and its program, a statewide initiative promoting evidence-based science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning experiences for students from pre-kindergarten through high school and beyond. 

“I became a teaching partner at the RiSE Center when I was still a student,” Poll says. “Most of the other teaching partners were experienced educators, but they embraced me and I started working with the curriculum that I still use in my classroom. The RiSE Center is the reason I鈥檓 the teacher I am today.”

For Poll, as a Mainer and a science educator, some of the most exciting opportunities for her students to learn involve renewable energy. She teaches lessons where they build their own small-scale wind energy projects, engaging their curiosity, passion, knowledge and skills around all aspects of STEM.

“Careers in STEM were talked about as being the future when I was in my students鈥� shoes, but with all of the jobs in renewables now, they鈥檙e here,” Poll says.

Recently, she was one of nine teachers selected to participate in the , a professional development opportunity providing advanced training, network building and support for a 鈥渂ig idea鈥� classroom project. The program is specifically designed for middle school science teachers and comes with a $2,000 award to support the applicants’ proposals. Poll鈥檚 鈥渂ig idea鈥� involved expanding her renewable energy curriculum so it includes small-scale solar and hydroelectric in addition to wind.

“I鈥檝e always wanted to do something with solar panels, but it鈥檚 just been too expensive. Now I have the funding for all the materials and lessons to be able to do it,” she says.

In late May, she traveled to Bowling Green, Kentucky for an intensive, weeklong professional development class hosted by the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University. The academy runs the STEM Scholars Program in partnership with the National Stem Cell Foundation. When she applied for the program, Poll says she just proposed the solar project. But during her week at WKU, Gatton Academy staff encouraged her to incorporate hydro as well. She also got to meet and learn alongside the eight other middle school teachers who were selected for the program from a national pool of applicants.

“It鈥檚 been such an amazing experience getting to know them and learning about their projects. There鈥檚 nothing quite like getting a group of like-minded teachers together,” Poll says, adding that they keep in touch with group emails and texts.

Next March, Poll and her fellow STEM scholars will meet again in Philadelphia for the National Conference on Science Education hosted by the . There they will have an opportunity to present about their classroom projects.

91爆料 continues to play an important role in Poll鈥檚 life and career. She鈥檚 still involved with the Maine STEM Partnership at the RiSE Center, sharing resources and knowledge with other science educators throughout the state. And since earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree, she has returned to 91爆料 to complete both a Master of Education and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in curriculum, assessment and instruction through the College of Education and Human Development. 

“When I talk to my students about opportunities in this area, 91爆料 is a big one,” she says. “There鈥檚 amazing things happening and a great school right up the road.”

Contact: Casey Kelly, casey.kelly@maine.edu