Do you have memories of childhood that still resonate today? I mean sweet ones. I know others surface, of course, but for now, I am wondering about how the good stuff of the past can inform our days today. Maybe they can brighten them or give us a hint how to live into our future. […]
Forecaster opinion
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Through My Lens: Doctors need to understand immigrants’ traditional healing practices
Doctors and nurses across Maine not only need interpreters, but they also need to be informed of the traditional systems of healing to create a more inclusive and culturally sensitive health care system. For three years I worked as a certified interpreter in the Maine health care system and I have observed a disconnect between […]
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Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: My tenure more than payroll issues
After nearly seven years of writing here, this is my last column. When I became superintendent of the Portland Public Schools in 2016, I considered the role the capstone of my career. Now I have stepped down, with my last day in the office Jan. 13. I am very proud to have had this opportunity […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly, The Forecaster
Mainewhile: You can’t fix the world, but every act of love counts
My old horse, Little Henry, has had a fall. I don’t want to alarm you – he’s going to be OK, but for a while there, things looked pretty bleak. Henry is a funny old thing. Born and bred down in Florida to be a racehorse, his bloodlines are pretty impressive – he traces back […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Why attendance matters, now more than ever
“School attendance is a powerful predictor of student outcomes. In fact, irregular attendance can be a better predictor of whether students will drop out of school before graduation than test scores.” […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: State needs more progress on dental care coverage
I haven’t conducted a formal poll or anything, but I’m willing to bet that a quite a few of us made at least a few New Year’s resolutions that center on health. Maybe we want to eat better or walk more or do yoga. Maybe we are resolving to get better sleep or reduce the […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Life Unwound: Let yourself be drawn by what you love
New Year’s resolutions. Ugh. Do you make up rules that you break within days, hours or minutes? “I will not eat sugar, all year, or maybe never, starting now.” It lasts until you crave, or hunger or question, “Who created this stupid rule?” It happens to everyone, I assume, at some point, that moment when […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Brunswick Superintendent’s Notebook: Hungry for knowledge or just plain hungry?
I want our kids to be hungry – hungry for knowledge, hungry for sports, the arts, clubs and for play. What I don’t want is for our students to be hungry for regular nutritious meals or to worry about where their food is coming from. Unfortunately, many of our students routinely come to school feeling […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Through My Lens: Immigrant visits to small towns can be mutually beneficial
Visiting remote towns in Maine can be a wonderful way to discover new experiences. It is common for members of the immigrant communities to assume that the distant small towns – some as far as a six hour drive from their homes – will often be politically unwelcoming to them. While some of that may […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Lakes Region Weekly
Mainewhile: How many times must power go out before we make changes?
Me here, checking in with all of you. How are you? Did you make it through the storm OK? Did your roof stay on and basement stay dry? Do you have power back yet? This storm made me aware of how lucky I am, and I am very aware that for those without a woodstove […]