Tiff's Spot

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Hello Friends and Family of MMCC’s 655!

 

We trust you are enjoying this most beautiful summer. We are blessed with one of the sunniest and warmest July’s in recent memory! Thankfully (very thankfully!) we are also blessed with air conditioning and the respite from the heat is very welcomed after we’ve gardened, played, and worked outside with our students!

 

As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, change is in the air with the coming revisions to Mainecare section 65/day treatment services. We have successfully hired nine new teachers to help in making the adjustment to these new requirements and will be introducing the newest additions to our 655 team in the months to come. I must, however, at least name them here! Welcome aboard Kelly Caufield, Matt Colby, Kyralea Cogill, Stephen Cobb, Staci Roy, Brian York, Val Dumais, Jan Wironen and Matt Moran (aka “Teacher Matt”)! We are happy to have you with us and are proud that you created your own Dodge Ball Team at our annual staff retreat. (You sure gave the Elite 8 a run for their title! That was close! Can we count on a re-match next year??!!)

 

Parents, please watch for our Satisfaction Survey which will be mailed to you at your home address in the weeks to come. We look forward to receiving your feedback so that we may continue to provide the highest quality educational programming for your child.

 

Until next month,

 

-Tiff

 

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End of Academic Year Bash

We have come to the end of another school year and for both staff and students, it’s a time of celebration. Thanks to the efforts of the Student Activities Group, there was enough fun and food to go around. Nature indeed did her part too, offering us a perfect day to get outside.

 

Students were treated to a bounce house and mega slip-n-slide which traversed most of our back yard before ending abruptly at our make-shift arresting gear of hay and weary yet willing souls. There was only one failure of this system throughout the afternoon as Lori took to flight, with grace rivaled only by the majestic albatross, only to vanish into the brambles.

 

Some students took to arms, chasing each other or their favorite teacher with water guns of varying range and capacity. Others, preferred to bat a ball around the yard, play catch or a variety of other games around the school. Others enjoyed the sun or just sat in the shade and took in the bright summer day. We were also lucky enough to have a visit by a couple of our new students that will be joining us shortly. We’re looking forward to their arrival and preparations are well underway to make sure they feel right at home.

 

The afternoon was concluded with ice cream as sun soddened kids and teachers retreated to the cool of the air conditioned classrooms. It was a day to portend those to come, where books are given for the beach and hard blue chairs given for van rides leading to warm adventure.

 

~C. Douglas McIntire

 

 

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New Beginnings

 

It isn’t the way we like things to go. It’s in our nature. We expect happy endings even when experience tells us that fate can be a funny thing. When people move on, not because they are following a dream that takes them to a different path but by a bureaucratic twist, it throws us; shakes our sensibilities and diminishes our faith in what should be a just system.

What, after all, should make a “good” teacher? It’s a question that has come up a number of times in staff meetings; calling each of us to list those qualities and see the similarities in the answers we all share. It’s no shock that not in the four years I have been here have I heard answers so arbitrary as “credit hours” or contrived certifications outside of Education Technician. Those qualities listed by our teachers, no one in a position of comfort and power can quantify in a bit of paper issued by a state agency. Caring, Trustworthy, Dedicated, Creative, Diligent, and Inspiring are but a few of the standards we use here. Daily it is tested and proven here that the truest qualification is nothing that can be hung on a wall or listed in a resume. Daily, it is strength of character that qualifies us, here and in our lives.

In that light, we are losing some of our most qualified teachers. It has been my privilege to work beside such gifted people and despite my conflicted emotions regarding their departure, I am hopeful; hopeful for their futures and what awaits. Sometimes, we cling to what’s comfortable, stable; reluctant to change our present situation for the unknown. While the end of one journey frightens us, it is necessary for the new one to begin; with all the fear, excitement, and challenges that accompany it. Rest assured that your family here at MMCC will be there beside you; pulling for you and your success, standing by you in difficulties, and looking forward to seeing you again, soon.

C. Douglas McIntire

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Good Luck, Chad!

It’s been four years since Chad and I started to confound students with the interchangeability of our names.

“Excuse me, Doug.”

“What’s my name?”

“Excuse me, Chad.”

For four years we at 655 have heard the daily exclamation, “Where’s Chad? The computer is doing something!”

Whether it’s his Purell, pocket Frisbees, or impromptu juggling we all came to know and appreciate Chad from our own unique perspective; a testament to his multi-faceted personality. To watch Chad prepare for a class is to witness an academic-meets-mad scientist approach; one that seems at once overindulgent and every kid’s dream as they’re taught to make goo and play ancient games.

It’s a quote for any movie, classic or cult. It’s a bank of knowledge, useful and otherwise. It’s the vault of Nerdtopia lodged between his ears that made every day working with him a pleasure. For those of us fortunate enough to realize it, Chad has the gift of knowledge that a few well placed ten penny words can hide a multitude of blue comments and, in the right company, make some people feel as if he had just said something profound.

You will be missed, Chad. And as much as we hate to see you go, it would have been more painful to see you tarry any longer. Your intelligence and your wit should not be confined to these walls. No, your chronic tardiness is needed elsewhere and you must start your journey now if you have any prayer of making the first day of classes.

 

 

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Teachers of the Month

 

 

Having worked closely with Kate over the years, it is no wonder I am once again called upon to sing her praises. Conscientious, professional, and caring, Kate stands; a silent reminder of all we work for. Each day her students expect, and receive, her very best as she strives to always keep her students engaged regardless of the task. Alone, or as a team Kate has proven herself time and again, an integral part of our crew at 655. Unshaken on the most trying of days, I have seen Kate walk from one chaotic situation, into the next room with complete serenity; leaving no trace and greeting her student with a freshness usually expended by ten. Thoughtful of both students and staff, Kate continually puts others before herself and makes sacrifices for the betterment of the whole. Thank you, Kate!

 

 

Captain Nate, a man of many talents. Writer, cruise captain, teacher, and if we threw in a guitar, perhaps the next Jimmy Buffett...er... maybe not. A fixture of the Clubhouse, Nate's talents are seldom seen by much of the school. Providing an easy nature and firm sense of direction, Nate is a natural fit for his students and could quite easily fit into any program in the school. Nate has the uncanny ability to read his students, giving him great insight when it comes to the push and pull of behavioral dynamics. His diverse background allows him to teach a reading class one minute, and help a student build a dog house the next. Well deserved, Nate! Thanks for all you do.

 

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They Called Him Pat

 

Army life can do strange things to a man: charge down enemy guns, stand long watches in various outposts around the globe, get a masters degree in psychology, work in special education.

 

Such a man was Pat McClosky. He came, as if out of nowhere, from a mythical land called Nevada; a land of brown. He dwelt amongst our people here for a time and even taught us how to say Nevada correctly in his native language. Punctual and diligent, he confused many among us with his ways yet even those people felt there was something yet to learn from him. He was quick with a joke, or to light… no, that was the Piano Man. Quick with a joke, or intellectual quote, Pat enlightened those closest to him; often regaling them with every remake of every pop song throughout history.

 

With his keen sense and power of persuasion, Pat was given authority to be the only Pat; forcing Patrick Dunham to always be referred to in the formal. He was known to spend time, secreted away, in the company of Dr. Johnson discussing psychology, or shamming as they called it.

 

Pat left our people just as he came; in a giant silver Nissan pickup. He has heard the call of all things brown and returned to dwell among his people once more. He has left his mark with us. Some may call it a bruise but rest assured; on a calm night, if you look up at the stars and tilt your head just right, you can hear Pat laughing at how ridiculous you look standing outside with your head all askew.

 

Farewell, Pat. Your legend will live on.

 

 

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The Doctor Is Out

 

 

To Dug:

 

Farewell’s are difficult to write. As a five year member of the Margaret Murphy Clinical Staff, I say goodbye to a wonderful community of students, parents and fellow staff members. I have had the privilege to work alongside some of the best educators in the state while honing my clinical skills. More importantly I had a great deal of fun! I will forever have the memories of the time well spent…and enjoyed at MMCC. Although I am shifting the direction of my professional life through taking a position as a faculty position at the University of Maine Presque Isle, I will continue to provide clinical services with students with special needs and will continue to work with the families and educators who support them.

Thanks again

 

Paul Johnson

 

p.s. I may moonlight occasionally in the Newsletter with the section entitled “The Dr. is Out”

 

 

 

~Paul Johnson Psy.D                   

 

 

 

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You Rock, Mike!

 

We at 655 would like to thank Mike Fecteau for his contribution out in our garden area. Mike has graciously been giving of his time and talents to display various rocks and minerals for our education and enjoyment. Whether it’s a rose quartz or granite that looks deliciously like a petrified lump of cookies and cream, it’s always a pleasure to see what he comes up with next.

 

 

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Recipe Corner

 

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Bruschetta