Educators Honored

Giving to music education

MMEA Music Educator of the Year awardee Dana Ross with his college friend and music educator Steve Muise

Recently, the Maine Music Educators Association (MMEA) conference provided an outstanding professional development opportunity for its members at a 2-day conference at UMaine, Orono. Congratulations to the planners who spent hours planning the many details! I heard over and over how worthwhile the workshops were and how impressed participants were with the content. One of my favorite parts of the conference is recognizing our peers for their contributions. All three educators who were honored this year are outstanding and well deserving of the recognition. Congratulations and a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the recipients!

Music educator Lonnie Westcott with Traip Academy Principal and MMEA Administrator of the Year awardee Eric Waddell

Hampden school district/RSU 22 Dana Ross received the Music Educator of the Year award. Longtime colleague of Dana, Heidi Corliss who teaches at Hampden Academy, introduced Dana. Many of Dana’s family and friends were in attendance. The pride was evident! Thank you Dana for your many years of dedication and service to students and assistance to educators.

Traip Academy Principal Eric Waddell was awarded the Administrator of the Year. Music teacher Lonnie Westcott nominated Mr. Waddell and was there to introduce him. No stranger to music education, Eric was in Presque Isle for many years so he has supporters and appreciators of his work from both ends of Maine. Thank you Eric for your commitment to music education and the students of Maine!

MMEA President (now past president) with David Watts

Music educator David Watts was recognized for his many years of service to MMEA as the treasurer. David left his teaching position at Freeport High School a year ago but continues in the field of education providing his expertise. Thank you David for your expertise and years of balancing the budget for the association!