Central Aroostook Council on Education is proud to present CACE Day 2024-Nurturing Growth, Inspiring Excellence. This year’s event showcases 5 different schools around Central Aroostook County, all providing unique professional development opportunities for our incredible educators.

Please take some time to review this year’s offerings and select the venue that best suits you when registering!

We sincerely hope that you enjoy this year’s edition of CACE Day, and that you are able to take the guidance provided by these Maine Educators back to your schools and classrooms.

Be sure to register soon! Registration closes at noon on September 16!

Keynote: “Trust Filled Schools”
Dr. Andrew Dolloff, Superintendent of Schools, Yarmouth School Department.

Dr. Andrew Dolloff is a 37-year veteran of public schools, having begun his career as a high school chemistry teacher and serving in a range of leadership positions from faculty chairperson and Athletic Director, to High School Principal and, for the past 15 years, as Superintendent of Schools. Andrew has led three National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence and at various points in his career has been recognized as Maine Principal of the Year, Maine Superintendent of the Year, and in 2020 received the Outstanding Superintendent award from the New England League of Middle Schools.

Andrew has served on the International Advisory Board for the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Principals’ Center, and as the Board Chair for the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) and the University of Southern Maine’s Educational Leadership Advisory Board, where he is an associate professor. Andrew’s book, The Trust Imperative, was released in 2022 and is being used in leadership preparatory programs and professional development settings as a resource for aspiring and veteran school leaders.

Andrew lives in Gorham, Maine with his wife, Brenda, who is also an educator of more than 35 years.  They have four grown children, each of whom was educated in Maine’s public schools before completing successful undergraduate and graduate programs throughout New England; you’ll hear more about their entertaining experiences throughout Andrew’s presentation.

Site 1-Paraprofessionals and Support Staff
Presque Isle Middle School

Julie Sotomayor
Occupational Therapist
“Supporting Students”
What are some best practices for supporting both teachers and students in the classroom? Julie Sotomayor will bring us up to speed!

Dr. Paul Johnson
Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Maine at Presque Isle
“Behavior Management/Self Care and Wellness”
Dr. Johnson will provide participants with current behavioral management techniques for Ed Techs to utilize in their classroom. In his second session, Dr. Johnson will review the importance of self care in an extremely selfless profession!

Site 2-Pre Kindergarten-Grade 5 Teachers
Caribou High School

Brittany Morrison
Elementary Teacher/PBIS Coach, SAD #1
“Classroom Management-The How-Tos of the Classroom”
Tips and tricks to help you have a successful year managing the behaviors in your classroom.

Andrea Logan
MTSS Specialist, Maine Department of Education
“Multi-Tiered Systems of Support”
In Maine, MTSS is defined as a comprehensive framework designed to address the academic, behavioral, and social–emotional needs of each student in the most inclusive and equitable learning environment. More than RTI, MTSS is a whole-school framework that organizes the people, programs and policies into an integrated support system that begins in tier 1. 

Candace Fuller
Social Emotional Learning Coordinator, Easton School Department
“SEL in the Elementary Classroom”
Day to day tactics and tips teachers and staff can use to incorporate SEL into daily classroom activities and  classroom level interventions

Site 3-Grade 6-Grade 12 Teachers
Presque Isle High School

Dr. Andrew Dolloff
Superintendent of Schools, Yarmouth School Department
“Continuing the Conversation on Trust”
Following up on the keynote address, participants will engage in dialogue and activities aimed at fostering trust in their classrooms and schools.

Dr. Jennifer Bourassa
Curriculum Director, MSAD #1
“AI in Instruction”
This breakout session will provide updated uses for Artificial Intelligence in our 6-12 classrooms.

Dr. Beverly Wagner
BSW Program Director, Assistant Professor of Social Work, University of Maine at Presque Isle
“Self Care: A Practice We Cannot Ignore”
This is an interactive presentation in which participants are challenged to identify, plan, and implement their self care strategies. Roadblocks to self care, and burnout are discussed as well as tuning and creating self care plans.

Site 4-Preservice and New Teachers
(Years 1-3)
University of Maine at Presque Isle

Kim Barnes/Heather Anderson
Aroostook County Teachers of the Year, RSU #39
“From Surviving to Thriving: The Journey of a New Teacher”
Get some great tips and tricks from a couple of the best teachers in the region on how to grow and thrive in the profession.

Dr. Wendi Malenfant
Director of Education, University of Maine at Presque Isle
“Peer Support”
The early years in the classroom can be treacherous! You have a support group of fellow educators to lean on right here in Central Aroostook County!

Chris Hallett
Principal, Zippel Hoyt Elementary School, MSAD #1
Heidi Garrison
Principal/Superintendent of Schools, Central Aroostook High School, MSAD #42
Dr. Leland Caron
Principal, Caribou Community School, RSU #39
Dan Duprey
Principal, Mapleton Elementary School, MSAD #1
Administration Panel
This will be an informal Q+A between administrators and pre-service/new teachers to discuss the relationship between teachers and administrators and what expectations they have in order to make your early years a success!

Site 5-Art, Music, Health, Physical Education Teachers
Ashland District School 

Susan Beaulier
Art Teacher, Aroostook County Teacher of the Year, MSAD #32
“Artificial Intelligence in the Art Classroom”
Michelangelo said, “A man paints with his brains, not his hands.” AI is to the 21st century what linear perspective was to the 15th century. This workshop will offer some readily available ways to encourage readily available ways to encourage responsible student and teacher use of AI in the Art Classroom.

Ellyn Smith
Art Teacher, Presque Isle High School, MSAD #1
“One Art Teacher’s Toolbox for Teaching Useful Stuff”
Join Ellyn Smith as she shares some of her favorite ways to get kids to care about creating meaningful personal artwork in the classroom. And because we are smarter together, there will be time to share your strategies too!

Jenn Holmes/Jon Simonoff
Music Teachers, MSAD #45/MSAD #32
“Jammin’ in the Classroom”
Get ready to rock! We have tailored lessons and ideas to unleash your students’ musical talents for PreK to 12th graders. Don’t forget to bring your instrument to join in on the fun! We will have guitars, keyboards, ukeleles, and a drum set to round out the gear!

Kelly Morin
Health Education Teacher, Fort Fairfield Middle/High School, MSAD #20, 2024 Aroostook County Teacher of the Year
“Assess Without the Stress”
No need to reinvent the wheel! This session will include tips, tools, techniques, and resources that aid in assessing your students knowledge and skills.

Carolyn Gross
Physical Education and Health Education Specialist, Maine Department of Education
“Using MIYHS Data to Positively Impact Health Education Classes”
How do you help students be advocates for health education class? The MIYHS data released in December 2023, indicates positive and concerning trends for Maine’s youth. Incorporating

Lori Kruczek
Special Education, Winslow Elementary School
“The IEP: Implications, Expectations, and Procedures for Teachers”
This session will touch on key aspects of the IEP process and how PE/Health teachers can support students with accommodations.