Maine’s new education commissioner steps into a position that has been in flux for 8 years. The former teacher, principal and superintendent joins us to talk about her priorities, including restoring faith in Maine’s public schools, addressing the teacher shortage, and determining the role of charter schools.
Guests
Pender Makin, From 1997 to 2003, Makin served as a classroom teacher at Fred C. Wescott Junior High School in Westbrook. She served as principal at The REAL (Regional Education Alternative Learning) School on Mackworth Island in Falmouth, from 2003 to 2015. Before her appointment as Commissioner of Education, she served as the Assistant Superintendent of the Brunswick School Department.
Eileen King (by phone), Deputy Executive Director, Maine School Management Association; Executive Director, Maine School Superintendents Association
Grace Leavitt (by phone), President, Maine Education Association
Sen. Matt Pouliot (by phone), representing Maine Senate District 15 (Augusta, China, Oakland, Sideny & Vassalboro)
Resources
- Mills nominates Brunswick school administrator to be Maine’s education chief
- Meet Pender Makin and what she wants to do for schools
- Maine’s new education chief pushes back against mandates, pressure from businesses
- Retirements creating teacher shortages in Maine
- Maine Teachers Are Underpaid Compared To Those In Other States, But Several Bills Could Change That
- Database: Maine teachers’ starting salary by town
- Teacher’s Union Testifies Against Proposal To Relax Certification Standards
- Proposal would require Maine students to learn about Holocaust
- Opinion: Why Maine businesses support expanding public pre-K education
- Four groups intend to apply for last charter school slot in Maine
- How Maine Democrats aim to clamp down on charter schools
- Restorative justice in Maine schools
- It's A New School Year, And Maine Schools Are Taking New Safety Measures