By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
On Thursday, Sept. 15, the approximately 500 students at Caribou High School, along with their teachers and administrative staff filled the Caribou Performing Arts Center, patiently waiting for the scheduled, “Anti-bullying Assembly” to begin. However, when CHS Principal Mark Jones took to the stage, with several other individuals seated on either side of him, it became obvious to many students that just maybe things weren’t exactly what they thought they would be.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Alana Margeson, an English teacher at the Caribou High School, was named 2012 Maine Teacher of the Year during a surprise assembly at CHS last week. Joining her during a reception which followed the presentation of the award are her sons, Reid, Evan, Nicholas and Noah.
“You’ve probably figured out by now,” said Jones to both students and teachers, this isn’t the anti-bullying assembly. Please forgive me for bending the truth a little bit, but I think you will all agree, it has been for a noble cause.
As Jones spoke, individuals, in single file, approached the front rows of the theatre and immediately students, recognizing the family members of one of their teachers, erupted into thunderous applause, standing as one, loudly shouting their approval and excitement. Well aware of the nomination of their own CHS teacher, Alana Margeson, last year for Maine State Teacher of the Year, and impatiently waiting for further word on this award, they realized what was unfolding.
Alana Margeson, a grade 10-11 English teacher at CHS was formally named the 2012 Maine Teacher of the Year by Jennifer Pooler, Teacher of the Year coordinator for the Maine Department of Education. Pooler also read a message of congratulations from Stephen Bowen, education commissioner, who was not able to attend the award ceremony. A video message from Gov. Paul LePage was also viewed.
Pooler said that Margeson ‘brings enthusiasm, energy and a natural positive outlook to her classroom. Her nominating committee wrote ‘that she engages students in debate, inquiry, research and discussion in a safe environment that encourages taking risks, thinking outside the comfort zone and a-ha moments,’” said Pooler.
In remarks sent via Pooler from Commissioner Bowen he said, “We can debate education policy all we want, but on one point there is no lack of clarity: quality teachers like you, Mrs. Margeson, are at the heart of our educational system. We owe our thanks and gratitude to you and the thousands of Maine teachers who dedicate themselves every day to providing the best possible learning experiences for our children.”
“As I reflected on why Mrs. Margeson has achieved the honor of being chosen Maine Teacher of the Year, several factors came to mind, stated CHS Principal Jones. “First would be her values, curiosity and work ethic, nurtured by her many family members and friends. She has had great teachers and role models along her journey and being a CHS graduate, that includes many CHS teachers who are in the audience today who instilled a love of learning and unquenchable thirst for knowledge.”
“Mrs. Margeson has an uncanny knack of identifying resources, often passed over and unseen by others that provide unique and relevant learning opportunities to build her lessons around. Her public service announcement and Cold War units come to mind as such experiences,” Jones added. “She has wonderful colleagues with whom she eagerly shares and gathers ideas to constantly improve and refine her teaching — she is a master craftsman in her classroom, encouraging her students to think beyond the obvious and to always strive to be their best. Most importantly she builds strong relationships with all of her students, letting each and every one of them know they are valued and unique,” he stated.
“The norm in her classroom is an environment of safety and mutual respect where students can learn and thrive with no fear of ridicule and knowing that each and every one of their voices will be heard and appreciated,” added Jones.
Jones remarked that if the six factors he previously mentioned (personal values, family influences, the teachers she has had, her ability to identify and provide relevant learning opportunities, her collaborative relationship with all staff, her outstanding craftsmanship,dedication/enthusiasm for teaching and her purposeful connections with students) and assigned a color, green, red, blue, white, orange and yellow, the colors found on, if you will, an educational Rubik’s cube, you would realize that “on a daily basis Mrs. Margeson, with seemingly endless positive energy, analyzes that cube, considers the countless variable and then proceeds to solve her educational Rubik’s cube, aligning every piece in a way that best serves each student.”
Jones concluded his remarks by saying, “being named Maine’s Teacher of the Year is a great honor — in Mrs. Margeson’s case, it is indeed justly earned and is a true reflection and recognition of her service to the teaching profession. On behalf of the students, parents, staff and administration of Caribou High School and RSU 39, and the communities in which you devotedly serve: A most heartfelt congratulations — we could not be prouder.”
“Alana Margeson is the complete package, a dedicated wife, mother, daughter, educator and friend,” stated Kenneth Atcheson, Caribou High School social studies teacher and NHS adviser. “Alana succeeds in addressing the most important aspects of being an educator; she cares about her students learning and their daily lives.”
“I do not possess the words to truly show how very proud I am of her,” said Atcheson. “I remember her as the young lady in my room having to do a report on the second day of school and now she is Maine Teacher of the Year. I count it a blessing that I was fortunate enough to be one of her high school instructors and even more honored to now be one of her colleagues,” Atcheson added.
“Caribou High School is a better place because of the hard work and dedication of people like Mrs. Margeson. Alana Harrington Margeson is a credit to her family, her faith, her community and to the honorable profession of being an educator,” the CHS teacher said.
Earlier in the afternoon, prior to the award presentation Mary Kate Barbosa, member of the Caribou City Council, remarked that “some time ago when I first congratulated Alana on being nominated for this recognition, she had said, “I’m really kind of embarrassed, there are so many others in my department — in the school — who deserve this nomination.”
An emotional and visibly surprised Margeson, stepped to the podium later in the ceremony, she immediately asked for her family members to share the stage with her. Commenting that when she had noticed several people from the community coming into CPAC earlier, she had thought, “that’s interesting,” — then I saw my mother!” Linda Szczeparska, Margeson’s mother, traveled from Warsaw, Poland, to witness her daughter being named Maine State Teacher of the Year.
“I’m so proud. So happy that she is being recognized for her work. Of course, to me as her mother, she’s always been number 1,” said Mrs. Szczeparska.
Margeson offered sincere thank you to her friends, family members and colleagues for bringing out the Red Carpet. “That’s the Caribou way,” she said.
“I’m here because of you,” the CHS teacher addressed to the students, “you make me passionate about teaching — I love what I do.”
To her peer educators , administrators and staff, she said, “You are part of my family, you have sustained me, you have been my cheerleaders.”
Caribou native Shelli McNeal Moody, a former school friend of Margeson’s, and the 2011 Maine Teacher of the Year, participated in recognizing Margeson during the ceremony, passing along the TOY torch while explaining to the CHS students the need for patience with their coveted teacher, as she fulfills the duties that come with this award throughout the coming year. She compared the coming year to an Olympic year — as all athletes have prepared themselves to compete — “I am confident that Mrs. Margeson is ready for this.”
Some of the events that Margeson will participate in include in January, attending the National Teachers Session in Dallas; in May she will meet with President Obama in Washington, D.C.; in July she will share her leadership skills at Space Camp in Alabama, and in September she will help name the 2013 Maine Teacher of the Year.
Moody reflected on Margeson’s success as a teacher citing her love for each of her students and her commitment to the teaching profession.
Moody has taught in grades 3-5 at Williams Elementary School in Oakland since 1999. She created her current grade 3-4 looping classroom in 2007. Her mother, Claudette McNeal, taught for many years in the Caribou school system.
Prior to the ceremony Frank McElwain, RSU 39 superintendent stated, “This is a very special occasion — the first in the history of CHS. This reflects the excellence in the staff and students here — where there has always been a strong tradition of both.”
While friends, family members and colleagues gathered in a “separate secret area” prior to the assembly, as the element of surprise has been a Maine tradition in presenting this recognition. Susan White, Caribou Middle School principal, reflected on Margeson. “I taught with Alana and I was her mentor at CMS while she was doing her internship, earning her master’s degree in educational leadership. She is very deserving of this award, the committee couldn’t have made a better choice. This is good for her, the RSU 39 and good for northern Maine.”
Caribou City Manager Steven Buck said, “It is an extraordinary honor for any teacher to even be nominated let alone be chosen Teacher of the Year for the State of Maine.”
Two other friends, also fellow educators, of Margeson’s, Courtney Boma and Jola Hebert were also on hand to share in their friend’s award. “We are extremely proud of Alana,” said Boma. “Alana is very deserving of this award,” added Hebert, “We’ve always known she’s a fabulous teacher — now we can let the rest of the nation know.”
Other remarks made by Caribou individuals regarding this event include Lois Brewer, assistant superintendent who said, “This is such an exciting day, Alana will do a tremendous job representing our school district and the state of Maine.”
Dale Gordon, chairwoman of the RSU 39 Board of Education stated, “This is such a thrill. It is important to see such wonderful work being recognized. It is so rewarding for the community and justly deserved.”
“I knew it was just a matter of time, “ said Rep. Peter Edgecomb of Caribou, who is also an educator, “It is most exciting that the teachers in Aroostook County are finally being recognized,” he added.
Margeson, a graduate of Caribou High School, received a dual bachelor’s degree in elementary and secondary education from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and a master’s in education administration from Saint Joseph’s College.
“We are so pleased to see an UMPI alum receive this recognition for her excellence and for her dedication to her students,” said UMPI President Don Zillman. “Alana, a member of the UMPI Class of 2000, worked very hard during her time at UMPI — earning two bachelor’s degrees in education and working in the admissions office as a work-study student — and the drive and passion she exhibited have served her well in the classroom. We are proud to see UMPI represented as well through Alana and her commitment to excellence in teaching.”
Also present during the surprise award ceremony were Tap Fitzgerald, community relations specialist with Hannaford Supermarkets, which since 1996 has sponsored the operating costs of Maine’s Teacher of the Year Program; and Al Noyes, president of Walch Publishing Company, Portland, who represented Bangor Savings Bank and the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education. Bangor Savings Bank will provides reimbursement to the winner’s school district for the cost of substitutes while the Teacher of the Year is out of the classroom on official duties.
The 2012 Maine Teacher of the Year resides in Stockholm, with her husband Eric and their four sons, Noah, Reid, Nicholas and Evan. She will go on to compete in the selection process for the 2012 National Teacher of the Year, whom will be announced in April 2012 at the White House.
The nomination process for the next Teacher of the Year begins this November. Those interested in nominating a teacher should contact their school principal or go to the Maine Department of Education website at www.maine.gov/ededucation/toy.
