By Scott Mitchell Johnson, Staff Writer
Two area elementary schools have been recognized for their leadership in building early aspirations in education.
Easton Elementary School and the Fort Street Elementary School in Mars Hill
have been recognized by Maine College Circle and the Perloff Foundation, two non-profits that have been supporting aspirations in Maine elementary and middle schools since 1992.
“These schools, their parents, and their communities stand out to us as leading the way in building aspirations,” said Bob Stuart, director of Maine College Circle. “Maine is a leader in this country in building early aspirations to guide learning. We can criticize education in Maine today if we want, but our schools are actually doing a very good job. We have a lot to celebrate.”
Stuart said people oftentimes underestimate the role of aspirations in the learning process.
“Learning has been a two-part process since its beginning. We need students who are eager and motivated to learn, and teachers who are excited about sharing their knowledge,” he said. “If we — in this state and this country — are serious about improving education, we, as communities, will help our children understand and build their aspirations, and we will let the professionals — the teachers — do what they do best.
“If we on the outside of the classroom walls prescribe education targeted toward disconnected learning results, there is a good chance we will engage neither the students’ motivation and aspiration nor the teachers’ desire to share knowledge in a way that will excite the learners,” said Stuart.
The Perloff Foundation — through its Fast Track Grants — has been building aspirations in science, technology and the humanities over the past 14 years in over 100 schools in Maine and Canada. Maine College Circle has talked with over 60,000 elementary and middle school students in 115 mostly rural Maine communities about colleges and career aspirations and has awarded over 800 College Aspirations Scholarships to students as a result of their aspirations effort and research.
A total of 12 Maine schools were recognized for their efforts to advance educational goals.
“These 12 schools are great. They deserve a lot of credit for the great work they do to help their students explore their aspirations for the future and to connect their education today to a brighter future,” said Stuart. “In my work over 20-plus years in schools, I can’t tell you how many times I have had teachers, principals, guidance counselors and parents come up to me and explain how just doing research on college and career aspirations has changed their student’s performance in school today.”
The 12 schools will each receive a small cash award to continue their efforts.
