LIMESTONE, Maine — The Maine Council for English Language Arts, an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Maine School of Science and Mathematics are proud to announce this year’s recipient of the Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award: Anthony Dolan Scott.
Scott will join fellow English educators from around the state of Maine at the annual MCELA Conference on Friday, March 17 in Portland to receive this award.
Each year, Maine English teachers are nominated by a member of their communities. Through a rigorous application process, MCELA members select one educator who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, contributed to the profession, and shown a commitment to their communities.
Scott joined the MSSM English and Fine Arts Department in 2017 and has taught a wide range of classes, including African-American Literature, Indigenous Literature, Honors Composition, and Creative Writing. MSSM’s Academic Dean Dr. Helana E. Brigman stated, “We are so honored for Mr. Scott to win this award. He has been a model of the values many English teachers cherish: intellectual curiosity, hands-on learning, critical thinking, metacognition, creativity, and play.” She added, “In addition to offering students an inspiring, student-centered program, he is a model colleague to faculty throughout Aroostook County.”
MSSM is a residential, magnet program for Maine students. All students are required to live on campus. When he is not teaching, Scott is a regular participant in life outside of the classroom: he co-advises MSSM’s Student Senate and has organized many of the school’s theatrical productions. He is an engaged member of MSSM’s Board of Trustees Student Welfare Committee and has played an active role in conversations around student mental health and wellness.
Scott is also a published poet and scholar, one who takes the art of teaching poetry seriously and believes the best way to read and understand poetry is to become a poet. Now in his third decade of teaching, Scott has found a format that works well for him and his students. This approach hardwires connection, promotes intellectual curiosity, and amplifies student voice.
A Louisiana native, Scott can often be found cooking up batches of gumbo or fried chicken for MSSM students in the dorms. A true Renaissance man, Scott is also the lead singer of the band The Star City Syndicate (a mo-town/class pop big band of about twenty musicians from Aroostook County) and recently performed at schools around Aroostook County on Feb. 6. This performance benefitted not just the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, but also its regional partner, the Limestone Community School (a K-8 program).
Dr. Brigman thanks the MCELA “for recognizing Scott’s talent as an English educator in the state of Maine. MSSM is proud Mr. Scott will be representing our school as the 2023 Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator in English.”
