LITTLETON, Maine — Laughter, hugs and smiling faces filled the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum on Tuesday, June 25, when retired teachers from the north to the south of Aroostook County gathered for the first of four summer meetings.
Amanda Barker, a science teacher at Ashland District School, was the guest presenter. She shared highlights of her experience as Maine’s representative to the National Geographic Institute’s GEO Inquiry Learning Process program. “Ask, Collect, Visualize, Create and Act” are stressed in finding solutions to problems. National Geographic’s focus is on action. Having information is wonderful, but what will be done with that information to solve the problem is most important.
Retired educators met at the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum for the first meeting of the summer June 25. Guest speaker was Amanda Barker from Ashland. Barker worked for the Department of Conservation for 18 years. She currently teaches at Ashland Commuinity School. Nearly 60 retired educators from Ft. Kent to southern Aroostook enjoyed a meal of roast turkey catered by the museum volunteers. Officers of the group include from left: David Madore, assistant treasurer; Linda Hawkins Pelletier, corresponding secretary; Betsy York, recording secretary; Bernard Paradis, vice-president; Rena Kearney, president and Bob Souther, immediate past president.
(Contributed Photo/Karen Donato)
Following the presentation, a turkey dinner with all the fixings, including homemade pies, was served for which the cooks and servers were given a round of applause. The business meeting followed. The current membership is 341; to meet last year’s membership and to maintain the largest membership of all the counties in the state, 123 more members are needed.
Janet Woods announced the Bulging Backpack recipient for 2019 is Van Buren Elementary School. The presentation at the school will be held on Oct. 14. She also thanked the group for their donations made at the first meeting.
Woods was recognized for receiving the Leadership Award at the State Convention. Rena Kearney and Ben Paradis demonstrated the AREA shirts and lapel pins that are for sale. Verna Johnson was the winner of the cash door prize. The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. The second meeting will be held on July 30 at Nowland Hall on the UMFK campus. The guest speaker will be Joe Hennessey, Maine Teacher of the Year.
