Aroostook Aspirations Initiative recently announced recipients of their Mentor of the Year, Innovative Educator, and Business of the Year awards presented during the second annual Night with the Stars Gala in September. Amy White, the business technology instructor at the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center, was named the 2015 Mentor of the Year. The Mentor of the Year, sponsored by Cary Medical Center, is nominated by Aroostook Aspirations Initiative’s Gauvin Scholars and recognizes individuals who have a positive and supportive impact on the students’ lives. Bill Flagg, Cary Medical Center’s director of community relations, and 2015 Gauvin Scholar Bailee Robichaud presented the award. Robichaud nominated White for the award because of the confidence she builds in her students.
“Amy White was my teacher all four years of high school,” Robichaud read from her nomination letter. “As a freshman she pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and join Skills USA, and because of that push, last year I was the Skills USA Maine State Secretary. Over the years, I have seen her motivate and encourage many commonly shy, reserved kids. She encourages students to do the best they possibly can.” Dr. Jennifer Bourassa was recipient of the Innovative Educator Award, sponsored by MMG. This award recognizes educators who implement new programs, strategies, techniques and devices in the classroom to better serve and engage students. The award, which includes $500 to help pay for costs of technology in the classroom, also recognizes the importance of technological innovation and its ability to build workforce skills and help build better connections between students and their community. Bourassa, an English teacher at Presque Isle High School, is no stranger to utilizing technology in the classroom. Ben Greenlaw, principal of Presque Isle High School, said in his nomination letter, “Jennifer supports her students through the use of technology and models the anytime, anyplace learning experience that technology provides. “Jennifer Bourassa also regularly utilizes a ‘flipped classroom’ model in her AP classes,” Greenlaw said. “In this model, the teacher videotapes or makes a screencast of the class lecture for the student to watch at home.” MMG’s
Chief Operating Officer, Matt McHatten, presented the award. “MMG is proud to sponsor the Innovative Educator Award through support of the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative,” stated McHatten. “Given the continued influence of technology in our daily lives, leveraging it as part of learning is extremely important in preparing students for the future. We also appreciate Aroostook Aspirations’ recognition of our county’s teachers in this area. We have some of the best educators in the state and this award helps to reaffirm the great work they do every day.” The Business of the Year award is presented to a business that reflects the mission and values of Aroostook Aspirations Initiative through their support, their leadership in the community, and through workforce development. Pineland Farms was the recipient of the Business of the Year Award, and Rodney McCrum, Pineland president and COO, accepted the award. The company offered an official statement: “Pineland Farms is honored and proud to be recognized for the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative Business of the Year Award. With a corporate focus to help grow the workforce and business opportunities in Maine, our involvement with AAI is well aligned in supporting their overall goal and initiative — to provide opportunities to students in Aroostook County. “First and foremost, we believe in supporting the opportunity for students to continue their education. It is our hope that with our financial assistance, students can remain in the local area and utilize their college degree. Our financial involvement is a start to help with the education process, in which Pineland Farms believes is a business duty to our local area and encourages other businesses to become involved with AAI.” In addition to the Mentor of the Year, Innovative Educator, and Business of the Year Awards, Aroostook Aspirations Initiative plans to add a new award to recognize young entrepreneurs at next year’s third annual Night with the Stars Gala, scheduled Sept. 10, 2016. For more information about Aroostook Aspirations Initiative, call 760-0558 or visit www.gauvinfund.org.
