BELFAST and PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — All Maine educators are invited to the fifth annual S-T-R-E-T-C-H Your Teaching Workshop, which will be held in person from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast.
Elaine Hendrickson of Presque Isle, who was chosen Maine Teacher of the Year in 2001, will present from Aroostook County.
Since her retirement, Hendrickson has become aware of the need to get children outdoors learning about nature while enjoying it. In her presentation, “Observe Nature,” she will not only share with other educators how to plan a hike through the forest to help students become observant of the natural world around them through use of their senses, but take them on a hike.
Hendrickson leads hikes for students as part of the Katahdin Learning Project and the Francis Malcolm Science Center in Easton.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Elizabeth Hartford will be the keynote speaker. Hartford started her career as an outpatient public school counselor and watched the number of people with mood disorders grow. According to the Maine Children’s Alliance, Maine has had the highest rate in the nation of “children with current anxiety problems.” This only worsened as the pandemic spread.
Initial thoughts are that educators need to implement the latest evidence-based models of treatment and curriculum across schools, medical facilities and workplaces. Hartford’s thinking is that educators need to return to the basics. She has written two children’s books focused on teaching simple emotion regulation skills. Hartford will share this information, as well as her books, in her keynote address, “Connecting Mind and Body.”
Educators from all parts of Maine are invited to attend this workshop. Co-director, Donna Kennison, said participants can choose from eight sessions during this daylong workshop.
“Our goal is to help teachers S-T-R-E-T-C-H their thinking by learning new strategies to help students be more successful,” Kennison said.
Session topics include literacy and mindfulness, helping students deal with anxiety and sensory challenges, teaching outdoors, student engagement, nature studies, genealogy, using newspapers to teach about the Holocaust and increasing students’ caring quotient.
The registration fee of $40 includes snacks, lunch, door prizes and 5.5 contact hours. College students can attend for only $10. Registrations are due by March 11 for those who would like lunch.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H Your Teaching Strategies is sponsored by the Maine State Organization of DKG International, a world-wide professional organization dedicated to providing professional development and personal growth for educators.
For further information or to receive a registration packet, please contact Kennison at mimiken7@gmail.com or Hendrickson at elaine.hendrickson@gmail.com. The registration packet may also be found on the web at Maine State Organization of DKG International, https://dkgmaine.weebly.com/pd-opportunities.html.
