News & Views

Remember when we were younger, playing in a sandbox? We weren’t concerned with whether or not our castles were perfect; we learned what worked and what didn’t by experimentation. How much water? How much sand? How tall can we build before it collapses? Yet somehow that sense of play and creativity fades over time as we age.

When it comes to education, there is no lack of public opinion. Since virtually everyone has had some significant experience in the classroom, we have also formed our own opinions on education. These opinions are built from our own unique vantage point and often vary widely.

Teachers would like to think we send our students off for a happy vacation of fun, sleeping late and socializing with friends. Sadly, however, that’s not always the case.

The power of one plus one is exponential. Our community learned this firsthand five years ago when a landscape architect and a cookbook author reached out to our elementary school.

The greatest barriers to school success for K-12 students have little to do with anything that goes on in the classroom, according to the nation’s top teachers: It is family stress, followed by poverty, and learning and psychological problems.

It is impossible to discuss education today without uttering the words, “Common Core.” Today, these two words have achieved the same status as Harry Potter’s nemesis Voldemort, or “he who must not be named.”

Fifteen Maine companies and organizations have committed to help strengthen the chance that today’s college students will find full-time employment by hiring more than 140 paid computing and IT interns this year. Students will get real-world experience and earn a paycheck, averaging $16 per hour.

Do you know a great teacher? Someone who inspires students? A teacher who is a leader in the profession? Here is your chance to nominate them for County Teacher of the Year!

The board of Educate Maine, a business-led education advocacy organization, is pleased to announce that Edmund "Ed" Cervone has joined the organization as executive director.

Educate Maine has launched "Educating Maine", a campaign to engage Mainers about the roles they can play in student educational experiences and educational attainment.