Jayne at the Hall of Flags ceremony, State House
CONGRATULATIONS to Jayne and Greg!
On Friday, March 13th I had the pleasure of attending the Hall of Flags ceremony celebrating the work of 14 teachers who have been nominated for the 2010 Maine Teacher of the Year. Among the group are music educator Jayne Quinn Sawtelle and theatre educator Greg Scot Mihalik.
Jayne teaches music Grades, K-5 at Fred P. Hall Elementary School in Portland. At Jayne’s school in Portland students speak more than 20 languages so she incorporates a wide spectrum of traditions, instruments, songs and dances that enhance all students’ knowledge, appreciation and respect for the rich multiculturalism of the school community. Her enthusiasm does not end when the school bell rings. She organizes a community chorus, conducts a middle school jazz ensemble, and leads a steel drum band. You can learn more about Jayne’s program at her blog at http://blogs.portlandschools.org/sawtej/
Greg at the Teacher of the Year supper.
Greg teaches theater, grades 9-12 at Nokomis High School. The adage that “people make programs” truly represents what Greg did for the theater program at Nokomis. He puts is ninth through twelfth graders in the director’s chair, allowing them to create, direct and produce high quality theater productions. Greg teaches with so much energy it spills over into every inch of the classroom, leaving no student unaffected.
Please join me in congratulating Jayne and Greg in their nomination and wish them good luck as they progress in the process for Maine’s 2010 Maine Teacher of the Year!
