SCHOOL STAFF

We're proud of our staff and their superior decication to our students.

Leslie Appelbaum, Teaching Strategist (appell@portlandschools.org)
BA from Bowdoin, MA from Iowa

Ms. Appelbaum has taught English, literacy, and social studies in schools ranging from Waynflete to Portland Adult Education. During her recent tenure at the Southern Maine Partnership, she authored a booklet on "instructional differentiation" based on her observation of Maine teachers. Ms. Appelbaum coaches our faculty and oversees our Intensives program.

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Nick Bresinsky, Humanities (English) (bresin@portlandschools.org)
BA from UMO, ETEP at USM

Nick joins us after successuflly teaching an array of English courses for four years at Portland High. Mr. Bresinsky is an accomplished writer with a passion for filmmaking. He was the co-leader of PHS's film club, and we are thrilled to have his enthusiasm and intelligence on our staff.

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David Burke, Math (burked@portlandschools.org)
BA from St. Lawrence, MA from UVM

Mr. Burke is an exceptional mathematician who is well versed in the teaching of integrated mathematics. He joined us from Poland Regional High School, where he was a founding teacher. His interests range from boomerangs to soduku. Mr. Burke is responsible for CBHS traditions from cardboard boat races to the Junior Journey.

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Alex Carter, Humanities (English) (cartea@portlandschools.org)
BA from Vassar

Alex Carter returned to Portland after a year at Mt. Ararat Middle School. Ms. Carter taught 6th and 7th grade five years previously at King Middle School. Outside of the classroom, Alex has helped students with peer mediation, theater productions and literary journals. Ms. Carter is on leave for the 08-09 school year.

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Kathy Cole, Partnership Developer( colek@portlandschools.org)
Westbrook College

Ms. Cole is an experienced partnership developer with deep community connections. She also serves as Portland's Service Learning Coordinator and the partnership developer at Riverton and East End. Kathy will bolster our volunteer corps and enrich the resources our students and staff can access during expeditions.

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Jen Coose, Humanities (Soc. Studies) (coosej@portlandschools.org)
BA from Barnard and ETEP at USM

First at Mt. Ararat and last year at Moore Middle School, the students in Jen Coose's classes have undertaken compelling learning expeditions. One former supervisor notes, "because she makes learning relevant, authentic and iteresting, students willingly work hard to meet and exceed expectations."

Visit Ms. Coose's Humanities blog!

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CC Davies, Special Education (daviec@portlandschools.org)
BA from Yale, MA from Middlebury

Ms. Davies’ teaching career includes stints at NYC’s El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice and, more recently, King Middle School and Deerfield Academy. She possesses expertise in areas ranging from carpentry to improvisational theater, from Spanish to creative writing. Ms. Davies will be on leave during the 08-09 school year.

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Stephanie Doane, Humanities(Social Studies) (doanes@portlandschools.org)
BA from VPI and MS from USM

Ms. Doane was a stalwart at Deering High School for the last six years where she taught US history and Street Law. A former colleague lauds her “enthusiasm for teaching and learning” and her “boundless energy,” concluding, “She is an intelligent and talented person who strives to learn more everyday.”

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Claire Doheny, Librarian( dohenc@portlandschools.org)
BA from Rutgers and MA from U of MInnesota

Claire Doheny is a great fit as the CBHS-PATHS founding librarian. Ms. Doheny was the long time Library Director at Berwick Academy, and she was responsible for transforming both the library and the way students do research. Her colleagues laud her competence, dedication and caring. Ms. Doheny is also a certified yoga instructor.

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Frank Donovan, Wellness( donovf@portlandschools.org)
BA from UConn and MA from Mitchell College

A former ropes course instructor and the current owner of a small recording company, Frank Donovan moved to Maine after several years of teaching health and physical education in Connecticut. A former colleague lauds Mr. Donovan's teaching style as "positive, encouraging and motivating." Mr. Donovan was married in August.

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Joe Grady, Humanities (Social Studies) (gradyj@portlandschools.org)
BA from Boston College

Joe Grady joins us after four years at the Meeting School in New Hampshire as both a social studies teacher and the Dean of Students. Prior to that Mr. Grady helped launch the Global Village curriculum at Bonny Eagle. His interests range from sheep farming to hockey.

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Nancy Hagstrom, Spanish( hagstn@portlandschools.org)
BA from Gettysburg and ETEP at USM

Ms. Hagstrom joins us with a stellar background in Spanish, outdoor adventure and progressive education. A former colleague from Scarborough High School asserts, " I have never met a more talented, organized, well respected and beloved teacher as Nancy." Ms. Hagstron spent part of July trekking in the Andes Mountains.

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Michael Hale, Director of College, Career and Citizenship (halem@portlandschools.org)
BA from Nebraska Wesleyan

Mr. Hale worked previously as the Gear Up Post-Secondary Advisor at King, and as a special education teacher at Lyman Moore. Michael’s myriad of talents includes team building, theater, video and music. Michael’s experience includes running summer camps in his role as the coordinator of our Crew program.

Visit Mr. Hale's College, Career and Citizenship Website and Blog!

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Nancy Jones, Learning Strategist( jonesn@portlandschools.org)
BS from UMF and MS from UNH

Ms. Jones is a clinical speech and language pathologist as well as a certified teacher with years of experience with Portland special education, most recently at Riverton, where whe will continue to be the part time learning strategist next year. Ms. Jones's three children keep her busy outside of school with events from hockey to dance.

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Deb Kierstead, Administrative Assistant (kiersd@portlandschools.org)-

Ms. Kierstead has been invaluable in the successful launch of CBHS. For several years she was a mainstay int he Jack Elementary School office, and more recently she worked for the Portland Partnership. Ms. Kierstead ascends Mt. Katadhin each summer.

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Mona Leavitt, Special Education (leavim@portlandschools.org)-
BA USM and MA in process at USM

Mona Leavitt pursured a career in marketing and underwriting before getting into education in 1999. After five years at Lyman Moore, Ms. Leavitt served as the learning strategist at Reiche last year. As energetic as she is compassionate, Ms. Leavitt's hobbies range from travel to weight-lifting.

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Jeri Levesque, Registrar-Receptionist (levesj@portlandschools.org)-

Jeri's diverse responsibilities include keeping track of student records and scheduling student visits. Ms. Levesque has an array of experience in customer service, especially in the food services industry. She adeptly balances an array of roles, including multiple jobs and parenting teenagers - with an ever present smile.

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Anne Loughlin, Science (lougha@portlandschools.org)
BS from UMass., MS from USM

Ms. Loughlin has been teaching science in Portland Schools since 1991. Prior to CBHS, she was at King Middle School. In 2003, Ms. Brown earned recognition as one of the nation’s top teachers by winning the prestigious Milken Award.

Visit Ms. Loughlin's Blog!

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Susan McCray, Humanities (English) (mccras@portlandschools.org)
BA from Yale, Ed.M. from Harvard

Ms. McCray was involved in one of the first Outward Bound high schools (in the South Bronx) and was a former course instructor in North Carolina. Since then she has wowed colleagues and students at the Graham and Parks School in Cambridge and Portland’s own King Middle School.

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Patricia McLure, Educational Technician (mclurp@portlandschools.org)
BA from UMASS Amherst

Ms. McLure joined us after a successful tenure working with special education students at Portland High School. She bring her passion for working with teenagers and expertise in areas ranging from the law (she has a law degree) to gardening.

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Karen Mooney, Nurse (moonek@portlandschools.org)
BS from Cornell

Ms. Mooney has been a nurse in the Portland Public Schools since 1983, primarily at Deering High School. Colleagues, students and parents laud her deep competence and caring. Ms. Mooney helped found the CBHS Natural Helpers.

Visit Karen's webpage

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Kevin Murray, Special Education (murrak@portlandschools.org)
BA from Puget Sound and MS from USM

Mr. Murray joins us after five years as a beloved special educator at Poland Regional High School. His passions range from science to basketball. A past colleague notes, "Kevin has a wonderful rapport with students. He is an invaluable resource for teachers."

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Nathan Nichols, Math (nichon@portlandschools.org)
BA from Cal State

Nate Nichols returns to his home state after a two-year stint at Venice High School in Los Angeles. Mr. Nichols worked in the school's New Media Academy and taught web design- as well as math. Prior to teaching. Mr. Nichols was a computer programmer and filmmaker. This year, Mr. Nichols will be our technology coordinator.

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Alison Perkins, ELL Instruction (perkia@portlandschools.org)
BS from UVM, MAT from St. Michael's

Allison Perkins has extensive experience working with Portland's non-native English speaking population, both through Portland Adult Education and Portland High School. For many years, Ms. Perkins has also been active in supporting Maine's international exchange students.

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Derek Pierce, Principal (piercd@portlandschools.org)
BA from Brown, Ed. M from Harvard

Mr. Pierce was formerly the principal and Dean of Faculty at Poland Regional High School. He has taught English, theater and American Studies in schools from Los Angeles to Gorham. He has lived in Portland with his family since 1993.

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Peg Richard, Art (richape@portlandschools.org)
BA from UMO, MA from Lesley

Ms. Richard has taught art to Portland students for 15 years, including 12 years at Baxter and more recently at King. Her artistic affinities range from watercolors to bookmaking. Ms. Richard’s career in the arts included a stint directing the Ram Island School of Dance and another as costumer for the Boston Ballet.

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Vic Serio, Science (seriov@portlandschools.org)
BA from Binghamton

Mr. Serio was on the faculty at Lyman Moore where he adeptly taught a range of subjects, including his passion, science; Mr. Serio spent a rectne sabbatical doing biological research at USM and is on leave this year to complete his master's research project. Mr. Serio is an avid Buffalo Sabres fan.

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Scott Shibles, Director of Student Life/Wellness (shibls@portlandschools.org)
BS from Castleton State and Ed. M from UMO

For the past decade, Mr. Shibles has been the athletic director at Deering. Cultivating student-athletes and programs that win with integrity has made him a respected name in Southern Maine sports. Scott’s experience includes stints as a college coach, a whitewater guide, a ski instructor and an athletic trainer.

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Brooke Teller, Chemistry (telleb@portlandschools.org)
BA from Smith College; MS from Central CT State

Ms. Teller was nominated as "Teacher of the Year" by her colleagues in Connecticut. Ms. Teller has taught chemistry for ten years, most recently at two start-up high schools. Her last principal lauds her by saying, "I have yet to meet other teachers who have Brooke's vast repertoire of instructional techniques."

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Helen Weigel, Math (weigeh@portlandschools.org)
BSME from UVT and ETEP at USM

Helan Weigel ran a Day Care and was a Lead Engineer at BIW before turning her focus to math teaching. Ms. Weigel's last supervisor said, "the combination of her deep content knowledge and her desire to create anengaging mathematics classroom appear to be a perfect fit for your school." We agree.

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