RANGELEY – Saddleback, Maine, a mountain known for its relaxed vibe, hand-cut glades, and affordable skiing, announced today that it will recognize Maine’s 16 Teachers of the Year with a season-long commemoration, which starts with free 2014-2015 Season Passes, valued at $13,200, and is followed by a “Wall of Fame” placed in the Saddleback Base Lodge and two pre-scheduled “Maine Teacher Days” at Saddleback, where any Maine public schoolteacher can buy one ski ticket and get one free.
“Saddleback wanted to do something notable that would shine a spotlight on some of our most dedicated citizens, our public schoolteachers,” said Bill Berry, owner of Saddleback, Maine. “As a family-owned mountain that cares deeply about the future of Maine’s youth, we couldn’t think of a better way to express our commitment than to celebrate Maine’s public schoolteachers,” he added. Saddleback made the surprise announcement on November 15 at the Cross Center in Bangor, where Maine’s 16 Teachers of the Year were being recognized and celebrated as Maine’s most outstanding educators.
The Maine Teacher of the Year initiative builds upon Saddleback’s popular PEAK passes (Promoting Education and Activity for Kids), which offers $149 season passes to any K-12 student who makes their school’s honor roll. “Our PEAK passes were started as a way to encourage students to perform well in school and stay active in the winter,” said Saddleback General Manager Christopher Farmer. “This year we wanted to extend our gratitude to Maine’s public schoolteachers who make a difference every day in their classrooms.”
“We all know that good teachers can have a powerful impact on their students,” said Dolly Sullivan, Program Director of Educate Maine. “The Maine Teacher of the Year Awards are one public way that we recognize some of our very best educators and thank them for their service. We are delighted that Saddleback is helping celebrate their impact too.”
Sullivan added that State and County Teachers of the Year serve as advocates for the teaching profession, education and students. Selecting a Teacher of the Year is an exceptional way to celebrate the many outstanding, dedicated, and professional educators teaching in Maine schools. The Teacher of the Year Program does not attempt to single out any individual as the best teacher in Maine; rather the Maine Teacher of the Year represents the thousands of excellent educators in Maine.
Each year, Educate Maine identifies 16 Teachers of the Year, one for each county, including one statewide Teacher of the Year. This year’s recipients are as follows with Somerset County’s Jennifer Dorman named Teacher of the Year:
1. Androscoggin – Gordon “Skip” Crosby, Poland Regional High School, grades 9-12, Spanish
2. Aroostook – Kara Beal, Valley Rivers Middle School, grade 8, English Language Arts
3. Cumberland – Sarah Brokofsky, Westbrook Middle School, grade 5, Language Arts,
4. Franklin – Sarah Reynolds, Cascade Brook School, Farmington, grade 4, All Subjects
5. Hancock – Andrea Beardsley, Ellsworth High School, grades 10-12, Science
6. Kennebec – Daniel Crocker, Hall Dale Middle School, grades 5-8, Math
7. Knox – Kristi Todd, Union Elementary School, Kindergarten
8. Lincoln – Cordelia “Cory” Chase, Boothbay Region Elementary School, grades 7-8, Language Arts
9. Oxford – Jeffrey Bailey, Mountain Valley High School, grades 9-12, Technology
10. Penobscot – Victoria Grotton, Glenburn School, Pre-K, Early Childhood
11. Piscataquis – Dyan McCarthy-Clark SeDoMoCha Middle School, grade 6-8, Social Studies
12. Sagadahoc – Eric Varney, Morse High School, grades 9-12, Science
13. Somerset – Jennifer Dorman, Skowhegan Area Middle School, grades 7-8, English Language Arts – Also named statewide Teacher of the Year.
14. Waldo – Phyllis Frkuska-Heeren, Edna Drinkwater Elementary School, grades K-5, Literacy and Math
15. Washington – Ann Luginbuhl, Charlotte Elementary School, grades 6-8, All Academic Subjects
16. York – Kate Smith, Central Elementary School, grades Pre-K-3, Music
Saddleback will open for the season on December 13, and will offer Maine Teacher Days on Sunday, December 21, and Sunday January 11. The mountain recently announced significant improvements, which includes expanded glade terrain and new energy-efficient snowmaking guns to ensure deeper snowpack. In addition to its Maine Teacher Days, Saddleback will also offer five Maine Days throughout the season with $39 all-day skiing for Maine residents. “Our Maine Days fall on the first Sunday of every month and are just one way we say ‘Thank You’ to our Maine residents, who make up the vast majority of Saddleback skiers,” said Farmer. “We are committed to preserving Saddleback’s laid-back atmosphere, and this includes keeping prices affordable.”
This year, Saddleback was voted #3 in the East for Best Value by Skinet.com. Last year, it was voted first in overall satisfaction, first in value, best family resort, and best grooming in the East by Ski Magazine, Snow East and other leading industry publications. Only an extra 10 minutes farther than Sugarloaf from Farmington, the mountain has been touted as “The trail less skied,” Farmer added.
In 2003, Saddleback was purchased by Bill and Irene Berry, with the distinct objective of protecting its economic significance for Rangeley and its historic importance for Maine. The family has invested heavily in the mountain since taking ownership – including building a new base lodge, adding several new trails, and installing two new quad chairlifts. In 2010 they hired Franklin County native Christopher Farmer to be general manager.
Thank you again, Bill and Irene Berry of Saddleback Maine! Your recognition of the hard work teachers do is much appreciated, not to mention all you do for the students of Maine through your PEAK pass program. It is rewarding to know that businesses like yours support the dedication of students and teachers to education. My family and I look forward to hitting the slopes on December 21st! I know many teachers and their families who will be joining in the fun at Saddleback that day as well!
congratulations Jen and Sarah!