By U.S. Sen. Angus King
(I-Maine)
Some of the most memorable people in our lives are our teachers. Their names often stay with us for years, along with the valuable lessons they taught us.
In Maine, Nancie Atwell is one of those teachers. In 1990, Nancie founded the Center for Teaching and Learning in Edgecomb, a non-profit K-8 independent demonstration school that focuses on individualized teaching in small classrooms with rigorous hands-on learning techniques that are both fun and engaging for students. Through her innovative approach, Nancie and the other teachers have, for 25 years, helped their students open new doors, and in the process, changed lives for the better.
As a result of her work, Nancie received the Global Teacher Prize from the Varkey Foundation. It’s been called the “Nobel Prize for Teaching” and Nancie is the first person in the entire world to receive it. In addition to the recognition itself, the award also comes with a $1 million prize.
And what is Nancie going to do with that $1 million? In a true testament to her generosity and dedication to her students, she plans to donate it all to the school to help ensure that it will have the resources, supplies, and funding it needs to continue to inspire and educate for years to come.
It seems fitting that this wonderful international recognition will also further the immense impact that Nancie and her colleagues continue to have in the classroom. And as Nancie herself has said, her victory in this global competition is really a victory for teachers everywhere. It’s a recognition of the irreplaceable role they play in shaping the hearts and minds our young people and in giving them the tools they need to not only survive – but to also thrive – in the world.
As the son of two public school teachers, I have a great appreciation for the joys and challenges that accompany life in education. It’s quite clear that there’s no shortage of joy at the Center for Teaching and Learning, and thanks to Nancie’s well-deserved award, there might be a few less challenges there, as well. I could not be more proud to have her here in Maine.
