Super Story - Inside Education

Welcome to Super Story, a podcast where we share informal conversations from within public education. I'm Maria Libby, superintendent of schools in a small coastal community in Maine. I'm excited to share real stories from people on the ground: students, teachers, bus drivers and everyone in between. With every episode, we'll take a closer look how they got here, what their experience means to them and where they think public education is going. Join me every two weeks as we explore the inner-workings of our schools and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs within our education system.

Sprinkling the Stardust 05/02/2025

Sprinkling the Stardust So this episode is a little different. I attended the National Conference on Education in New Orleans this spring and knew it would provide a great opportunity to hear from the diverse array of superintendent from across the country. I asked them all the same question: "What great things are happening in your school district?" I wanted to sprinkle the stardust around. The variety of responses was truly inspiring. There are interesting, innovative, and wonderful things happening in public schools from around the country. I hope you enjoy listening to these brief annecdotes as much as I did. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/36411115

Career and Technical Education 12/16/2024

Career and Technical Education If you like what you hear today, sign up for my If you have a story worth sharing, I visited several schools in Finland in 2015 as part of a school trip. There were a few things that really struck me. One was the fact that becoming a teacher in Finland was as competitive as becoming a doctor. Another was that students were in control of which teachers they had—they literally got to choose their teachers. And finally, I was impressed with the equal value and prestige placed on both the academic and vocational tracks. Something like 40% of students choose a vocational route and there was no stigma attached to it. For years in our society, a technical education has been viewed as less valuable than a college education. I will admit that there was even stigma attached within our own school system for those going to the tech school. For years we never even filled our seats that were allocated to us at our regional tech center. I’m proud to say that now our student interest outstrips our available seats. That stigma is fading, especially since the pandemic. Suddenly there was a shortage of plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and builders, and people realized how valuable those things are. Labor costs have soared. Many tradespeople are making more money than white color workers. The tide is shifting, and the question is whether we can keep up. All jobs in our economy and society play a role that help make the whole system work--they’re all valuable. My guest today is Bobby Deetjen, the director of the Mid-Coast School of Technology, which is the regional tech center that serves numerous school systems in midcoast Maine. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/34509145

Teachers, Turnover, and Tenants 12/02/2024

Teachers, Turnover, and Tenants If you like what you hear today, sign up for my If you have a story worth sharing, A few years ago, we hired a teacher from Texas, who struggled for months to find housing in Camden or Rockport, Maine. Despite two house hunting trips she found nothing. With her Texas home sold, she temporarily moved to Minnesota to stay with her father, while continuing her search. In mid-July, she arrived in Maine with her family and all her belongings, but still didn’t have a home. By early August, she was still empty-handed and was on the verge of declining the position. At the 11th hour, we located a rental property owned by a student’s parent narrowly averting a crisis. This story echoes across the nation. Teacher housing for new hires has become a critical issue in many communities. Today I’m joined by two superintendents from diverse regions to discuss this challenge. Brent Jayco from Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District in Texas and Debbie Jones from Bentonville Schools in Arkansas. This is the first episode that we are recording using Zoom. All prior episodes have been recorded from the comfort of my office, so hopefully the sound quality won’t be significantly compromised /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/34485825

Cracking The College Code 11/18/2024

Cracking The College Code If you like what you hear today, sign up for my If you have a story worth sharing, Today's guest is a woman in high demand this time of year. Clare Galloway is a college consultant who works with students mainly from the New England and New York area. She was an assistant dean of admissions at Colgate for two years, and then in the same position at Bates College for two more years, before becoming the Director of Overseas Admissions for the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland, where she served for eight years. Eventually she went into private practice, where she has been for the past twenty years. Clare helps countless high school seniors thoughtfully prepare college applications, diminish the many myths that swirl around in the heads of anxious families, and she helps to bring out students authentic self. She has great insight into the application process, financial aid, and in helping students find a college where they will thrive. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/33986152

School Through the Eyes of a Six-Year-Old 06/07/2024

School Through the Eyes of a Six-Year-Old My guest today is Camillo who is coming up on the end of first grade. I first met Camillo when I was visiting the elementary school last fall. He was friendly, outgoing, and dare I say dapper. A few months later he starred as the host in a video created for the school board to understand the elementary school schedule. Not long after that I was sitting at a high top in a local coffee shop one weekend when he came right up to me with a formal greeting. Again I had a great conversation with him. He is bright, charming and outgoing enough that I was convinced he would help us all see school through the eyes of a six-year-old. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/31655917

Jane's Sense of Self 05/23/2024

Jane's Sense of Self Today’s guest is Jane Self. She has worked as the assistant to a string of four different principals over the past twenty years at Camden Hills Regional High School. She is acutely attune to school operations and many consider her to be the de facto second principal. She had two children go through the school system and she rides her bike to work most days. She’s been a force of strength, stability and stamina, and this is her last season with the district as she retires at the end of this year. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/31434012

Moving On Up 05/13/2024

Moving On Up My guest today is Lucas who is currently an eighth grader in middle school. Most middle schoolers, at this point in the school year are ready to leave middle school behind and eager to start high school. That cycle happens all over again when they are seniors in high school and then again when they are seniors in college. Developmentally they are exactly where they should be, ready to move onto the next step in life. I don’t know Lucas, so I’m eager to find out what is important to him, what his hopes and fears for high school are and what he is most proud of. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/31261147

Let's Talk About Sex 04/28/2024

Let's Talk About Sex My guest today is Tanya Young, a woman who has been a school counselor for over twenty years and has been in our middle school for over fifteen years. In that time, she has seen and heard at all. From teaching sex education to making home visits to supporting anxious students on overnight field trips, Tanya has extended herself in ways that many people are never required to. Her expertise and experience, her nurturing nature, and her ardent advocacy for students are instrumental in the success of our student body. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/31016193

Show Up To Rise Up 04/12/2024

Show Up To Rise Up My guest today is Alison Babb-Brott. This is her second year teaching first grade in our school district though she’s been teaching for about a decade. Her family has a rich history in our town. Her great great grandfather was superintendent of the Knox Woolen Mill in downtown Camden from 1889 to 1956. He worked at the mill for total of 70 years. When I moved to Camden as a child in 1974, Ali’s grandfather was superintendent of the very same mill. I became good friends with Ali‘s mother and her aunt. Her father also grew up locally. Though Ali was born and raised in Massachusetts, it’s no wonder she feels this place is home. I have no doubt she can feel the presence of her deep heritage here. Our school district is so fortunate that she returned because she quickly became a beloved teacher at our elementary school. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/30802173

Game Time, Screen Time and Insights from High School Boys 03/28/2024

Game Time, Screen Time and Insights from High School Boys On today’s episode I’m talking with two high school boys: Mac Pierce, a sophomore and Finlay Fitch, a junior. Both are on the soccer team and Mac is my cousin’s son. We’ve lived in the same community his whole life so he’s like a nephew to me. We are going to talk soccer, phones and get some insight into being a teenage boy in high school. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/30586253

Where My Heart Was 03/15/2024

Where My Heart Was Today’s guest, fifth grade teacher Heather Butler, is the epitome of teaching excellence. She is highly skilled instructionally and has a spark in her eye that makes her students feel valued and loved. She’s the kind of teacher that parents pray for their child to end up in her class. We are so fortunate that she applied for an opening that we had three years ago. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/30390608

Perspective 03/01/2024

Perspective I feel like I have known Kristi Hardy-Gilson for my entire life. We both grew up locally and my now grown children both had her as their multiage teacher for three years. She is the teacher that parents want their children to have but it has not always been easy for her. The field of education has changed significantly since she started and she has witnessed many leaders come and go. That can take its toll. We will talk today about both her highs and her lows. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/30189453

Hidden Gem Part 2 02/15/2024

Hidden Gem Part 2 There are events in history, whose timestamp leaves an indelible mark on us. Etched into our memory is exact moment JFK was killed, when the planes crashed into the twin towers, or the day you laid eyes on the love of your life. Well, one of those memories for me was the day I met Jaime Stone, today’s guest. She is in her 10th year as principal at our middle school. To say Jaime is an inspirational and transformational leader seems like an understatement. She is truly exceptional. She is one in a million and that will shine through this episode. This is second part of our conversation which focuses on school leadership. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/29972178

Hidden Gem Part 1 02/01/2024

Hidden Gem Part 1 There are events in history, whose timestamp leaves an indelible mark on us. Etched into our memory is exact moment JFK was killed, when the planes crashed into the twin towers, or the day you laid eyes on the love of your life. Well, one of those memories for me was the day I met Jaime Stone, today’s guest. She is in her 10th year as principal at our middle school. To say Jaime is an inspirational and transformational leader seems like an understatement. She is truly exceptional. She is one in a million and that will shine through this episode. It turns out we had so much important ground to cover that we needed to split this episode into two parts so you’ll hear part one now and the rest will be released in two weeks. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/29664128

Repairing My Relationship with Learning 01/18/2024

Repairing My Relationship with Learning Today's episode marks a couple of firsts for me. It's the first occasion where I'll be hosting not one, but two guests on this podcast. Additionally, it's the first time I'm engaging in a conversation with individuals whom I haven't met before. Embracing change, I've decided to roll with it. What could possibly go wrong, right? My guests, Caroline and Danika, are a junior and senior in our high school's alternative education program called Zenith. The Zenith program fosters a close-knit community, and most students thrive within its supportive environment. Personally, I have a soft spot for this program as we have always shared the same building, making it feel like we're practically joined at the hip. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/29550878

Mother Knows Best 01/04/2024

Mother Knows Best My guest today is Ellen Curtis, a special education paraprofessional or educational technician at our middle school for 30 years. She provides individual in-class support and small group instruction to students who need an extra academic lift. She’s also been involved in our theater program for the past 12 years and has taken care of many of her coworkers’ dogs when they are out of town. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/29346558

Nature Nurtures 12/14/2023

Nature Nurtures I feel like we hit a jackpot when we hired Heather Bowen to lead our bold new nature-based PreK program. Some might say we stole her from a wonderful local (but private) preschool program in our community. Her love of children and belief in the outdoors as an effective classroom run deep in her veins. I am excited to talk to her about that experience. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/29086653

Hoops and Dreams 11/30/2023

Hoops and Dreams Today, I’m joined by Joel Gabriele, a 2011 graduate of Camden Hills. During his time in our school system, Joel played a crucial role in our basketball success, notably during the years when we were a dominant force in the sport. I vividly recall Joel’s eighth-grade year, a time when our middle school had to form two eighth-grade basketball teams due to the high number of students participating. Remarkably, we finished first and second in our league that year. His high school years were equally impressive, marked by multiple state championships. After completing college, Joel returned to his hometown and joined his mother and sister as educators in our school system. He initially served as an Educational Technician before transitioning to become a Special Education Teacher in our high school day treatment program, Rising Tide. Joel took on an additional role this year as the boys’ varsity basketball coach, showcasing his commitment to both education and athletics. For Joel, life has indeed come full circle. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/28852018

She Means Business 11/18/2023

She Means Business A huge sacrifice I made moving into district leadership was a direct connection with students. Building relationships with students had always been one of my greatest strengths and I miss it. Consequently, I always love having student guests on this podcast. Today’s guest is high school junior Tula Bradley-Prindiville. In many ways Tula is a typical well-rounded and high achieving student, taking all honors and AP courses, getting good grades, and pursuing interest in the arts. However, she is also willing to step off the beaten path to pursue some unique opportunities. Last year she was one of four female students who entered and won a national innovation competition. This year she is heading off for a semester program where she will shed her phone and the traditional trappings of school to rough it and learn through place-based education. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/28702433

Masterpieces In The Making 11/02/2023

Masterpieces In The Making I remember the year Kristen started working in our district. I was a slightly seasoned math teacher, and she was a hip, young, twenty-something. She is not quite as young, but she is just as hip. Kristen teaches art at our middle school, and she has created an incredibly welcoming environment where students explore their creative sides in so many mediums. From sgraffito to glass mobiles to traditional drawing and painting. I have dreamed about taking her class for years because it has always felt like the most relaxing and fun room in the school. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/28500044

Education In Our DNA 10/19/2023

Education In Our DNA Marcus Mrowka is the current chair of the school board for one of the districts where I am Superintendent. He has been on the board for four years and cares deeply about education. He moved to the midcoast after living and working in Washington, D.C. for twenty years. Marcus used to be the Communications Director for the American Federation of Teachers. Shortly after moving to Maine, he became the Communications Director for the Maine Department of Education. Marcus is an incredibly kind, thoughtful, and generous human being. We are lucky he landed in our neighborhood. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/28369853

Sweeping Success 10/05/2023

Sweeping Success Today’s guest is Maggie Massengale. I wanted to invite her in because she shined so brightly as a custodian, and I also wanted to hear about her transition to becoming an administrator. Maggie was a beloved middle school custodian for 23 years. During her time there, she wore many hats including track and cross-country coach and athletic coordinator. Students truly adored her. Her hard work and dedication paid off last spring when she was promoted to become the assistant director of transportation and facilities. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/28236554

Sailing In Larger Ponds 09/21/2023

Sailing In Larger Ponds My guest today is Imogen. I first met Imogen last spring at our elementary school when she was a 4th grader. I had a fascinating conversation with her. Months have passed since that time. Summer vacation is coming to a close and school actually starts next week. Imogen will be starting 5th grade in our middle school. In this episode we will hear her perspective of elementary school, what a 10 year old does during the summer time and whether she is nervous to be headed to the big leagues--middle school. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/28104050

Last Man Standing 09/07/2023

Last Man Standing Today’s guest, Scott Kady, is a rare specimen: a fourth-grade classroom teacher who is male. Only 11% of elementary teachers in this country identify as male. At our elementary school, only two out of the thirty-five teachers are men. We need more of them. All elementary students need male role models in a school setting. Scott has been in our district for five years and thank goodness he followed his wife (who is also a teacher) to our school district. Scott is patient, kind and into science. He is also an avid outdoorsman, which is great for us because he helped lead our charge to get students outdoors more. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/27972894

The Wheels on the Bus 08/24/2023

The Wheels on the Bus My guest today, Debbie Merchant, raised three boys in our community and is a tennis pro at the local indoor courts. She is an amazing tennis player as are her three sons. She is a local legend and even gave a lesson to John Travolta when he was in the area. We were incredibly lucky that a fellow tennis buff convinced her to become a bus driver. Her bright smile is just what students need to start their days. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/27840363

Sent to the Principal’s Office 08/10/2023

Sent to the Principal’s Office My guest today is Nell Dailey. Nell grew up in Maine and began her career in education as a social studies teacher at our high school. She is an exceptional teacher who has an unparalleled love of adolescents. After 18 years in the classroom, she sent herself to the principal’s office. She moved into administration where she is now assistant principal and has never looked back. I wanted to uncover what that transition was like for Nell. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/27707076

Stardust 07/27/2023

Stardust My guest today is Ella, a spunky and confident sixth grader who was a mere two weeks away from summer vacation when we sat down for a chat. Ella is already force to be reckoned with on the tennis court, but where she truly shines is with her voice on the stage. I was tempted to ask her to sing for us but resisted—we will have to wait for that. You will definitely hear her spirit in this conversation. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/27572208

You Can Always Come Home 07/13/2023

You Can Always Come Home Today’s guest, Noah Holt, graduated from Camden Hills in 2013. I actually went to high school with Noah’s mother, had a son who graduated with Noah, and have a son named Noah, so there are many connections between us. That is not why I asked to him come talk to me today, however. This is Noah’s first year of teaching and I was thrilled he came back to his hometown as our Latin teacher. Noah dropped out of a prestigious PhD program when he got a call from the high school department head asking if he would consider applying for our open Latin position. He’s had a smile on his face ever since. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/27451041

The End of the Line? 06/29/2023

The End of the Line? Bill Anderson has been in education for a long time. He tutored for 27 years before becoming a teacher, starting his career before half of our staff was even born. For the past 17 years, he has been at our high school, as a special education teacher. He has a penchant for those who struggle and he has witnessed a lot of change over his career. I wanted to tap into his wisdom and his love of students, so I invited him in for a chat. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/27310107

Who’s the Boss 06/15/2023

Who’s the Boss Katie Bauer is one of my closest friends. We met on Hurricane Island when I was an intern in the Bosun’s Locker, working under her. She stayed in the area and I eventually returned. She was an award-winning teacher for years in our district, first teaching at the elementary school and ending her teaching career at the middle school where I was principal. About seven years ago, she and her husband took a great leap of faith and relocated to Eluethera where she became principal of a small, private middle school there affiliated with the Cape Eluethera Research Institute and the Island School. After three years there, they returned and Katie landed a job as our elementary school assistant principal, the position she currently holds. I wanted to have a conversation with her about what that decision to uproot her life meant to her and how it impacted her career in education. /episode/index/show/3584387d-ce67-41d2-af00-213137408b8c/id/27139797

Super Story - Inside Education

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