Maine Educators Present Forum on High School Education

The Camden Public Library will host Beyond AP: Rediscovering the Value of a High School Education, a forum of Maine educators, on Thursday, November 10, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The panel features Maine Principal of the Year Derek Pierce, Founding Principal of Casco Bay High School, Will Galloway, Head of School at Watershed School, and Jude Masseur, Alternative Education Program Director at Ellsworth High School.

At a time when AP tests drive much of the secondary school curriculum and add significant stress to the lives of young people, colleges are turning toward other measures of success that emphasize collaboration, creativity, civic engagement, and critical thinking. This forum will discuss how educators can balance the demands of high stakes testing with the need for young people to develop a love of learning, connection to their community, and healthy relationships with peers and adults. The panel will also explore how communities can rediscover the value of high school where young people learn and grow best through close teacher-student relationships in the context of a supportive and enthusiastic learning community.

The conversation will begin with a round-table exchange among the three educators, and will then expand to include the full audience in attendance.  All are welcome, and the event is free of charge.

Derek Pierce is the founding principal of Casco Bay High School. He was previously a principal at Poland Regional High School and an English teacher in Gorham. He lives in Portland with his wife (who works at Portland Adult Education) and two daughters (grades 9 and 12 at Casco Bay). He joined the PEF board in fall 2016.

Will Galloway is the Head of School at Watershed School in Camden. He was previously an Education Consultant for the Maine Department of Education and a teacher at Waynflete School in Portland. He and his wife (a college advisor) live in Hope, Maine with their three children, all Seniors at Watershed.

Jude Masseur is the Alternative Education Program Director at Ellsworth High School. Previously she was the Dean of Students at Watershed School. She lives with her husband and daughter in Hope, Maine.