MaineEducationLeaders2021

 We were hopping on March 11!   We started at IDEXX in Westbrook, learned about the booming Companion Pet Care business and saw the large and impressive manufacturing operation that runs round the clock. Before we left we got some great IDEXX loot, most unique was the keychain with a pooping dog..sure to be a hit with all of our children or students when we return to class!  Here is a picture of the famous keychain..you have to get your hands on one to see the magic! Having once worked on the building design for a new middle school I was fascinated by the great use of space and collaboration areas that we saw throughout the building, here are a few examples... I LOVED this idea board, these were ideas that the floor workers had about how to improve their experience.  Each idea was then sorted and some were implemented, or moved to longer term plans.  What a way to give voice to your employees! Super quiet phone booth with its own ventilation system, perfec...

February trip- We prepped for our trip to Augusta to learn about the Maine State Legislature.  We met many leaders including Senate President Troy Jackson, who charmed us with his story of his Mom beginning a teaching career with the whopping salary of $15,000 and how he topped that right out of high school as a logger!   Ed Cervone gave us an informative overview of the state budget process. Many of us were a little uncertain about what it would be like to testify in front of a committee, but I'm happy to report we all survived the process! We also were joined by the Maine Teacher of the Year nominees, here was my group that debated  LD 1373 "An Act to Keep All Students Safe by Restricting the Use of Seclusion and Restraint in Schools" It was interesting to see that our group did not vote the same as the legislature did! We learned more about what the process is really like from State Representative Dave McCrea.   The overall message of the day was really ...