Your Association
Candidates for Election 2017
Take the Lead….Your Vote Does Count. Members set the
course for the MEA by deciding the issues the Association
supports and the ways to achieve success for every Maine
student. Delegates are elected to speak for the 23,500 MEA
members they represent on important issues.
MEA candidates may publish a biographical sketch in the
Maine Educator according to the Standing Rules. Candidates
for the MEA Board of Directors and the NEA Representative
Assembly (RA) appear on the following pages.
At MEA’s 2017 RA on May 20-21 in South Portland, delegates
will elect an NEA Director for Maine and a Trustee for Maine
Public Employees Retirement System.
Election information and forms are available online at www.
maineea.org in the “Members Only” area under Elections.
Certificates of election for local MEA RA delegates must be
received by March 6.
Questions about elections should be directed to the office of
the Executive Director at 1-800-622-4418 ext. 2218 or email
[email protected].
MEA Board of Directors Candidates
Robert “Bo” Zabierek – District A
I am the current member of the MEA Board of
Directors for District A and have been a Delegate
at the MEA Representative Assemblies (RAs), in
Portland for two terms and have served two terms
as an at-large Delegate at the NEA Representative
Assembly (NEA-RA); where I am a member of the
CTE (Career and Technical Education) Caucus. I also
serve on the MEA Government Relations Committee.
I am also the Past President of the Southern Aroostook Vocational
Educators’ (SAVE) Association. I feel that it’s important that CTE
schools have a voice on the Board and that all facets of the Maine
educational landscape be represented. I’m on SkillsUSA Maine’s
Board of Directors. I’m also the current President of ACTE-Maine
(Association of Career and Technical Educators-Maine). I work at
the Region Two School of Applied Technology in Aroostook County,
my wife Suzie and son James have taught Aroostook County students
at Katahdin High School. I bring a fresh and unique perspective to
the conversations and issues at the MEA and am asking for your vote
for the position of District A Board member, I would be honored to
continue to represent all Aroostook’s Teachers and ESPs in Augusta.
Jesse Hargrove – District C
Working with students and young educators continues
to be the best career a person can have. It’s hard to
believe that I’m on my 15th year of teaching, 8 as
a Special Educator and 7 as a High School Social
Studies teacher, currently at Hermon High School.
I’m grateful for the support of my two brilliant sons,
Aden and Rylan, and a creative, artistic wife, Ciara, the choral director
at Waterville Schools. My MEA career has evolved from MEA-RA
delegate, to local positions as Treasurer and now President. I have
also served as a delegate to the NEA-RA for the past 3 years.
The past years as Director has introduced me to charismatic leaders
and educators across the middle of Maine, from Dover-Foxcroft to
Lincoln and places in between. Thank you for the support as I run
for re-election. I love doing this work.
Bob McCully – District K
I am a veteran Mathematics teacher at Falmouth
High School with substantial experience in member
advocacy. I currently serve the FEA as Chief
Negotiator, and have continually served as either
Chief Negotiator or President. I have previously
served on the MEA Board for ten years and am
eligible for another term. I have been a delegate to both the MEA
and NEA Representative Assemblies for years. I have served
on many MEA committees (including Policy Review, Statewide
Bargaining, and Resolutions), and I have served on the NEA
Resolutions Committee. I have served on the Boards of ATOMIM
and ATMNE (mathematics associations) and currently serve on a
Board for the Cumberland County Teachers Federal Credit Union.
I am very concerned about ongoing attacks on our profession,
and the lack of respect being shown to education practitioners.
Educators always look for ways to improve their practice, but we are
being bombarded by mandates from individuals far removed from the
reality of a public school classroom. It is imperative that the MEA
continues to function as a union protecting its members’ interests,
and also function as a professional association to serve our members,
our students and our communities well.
District L - no candidates
Neil Greenberg – District P
About 10 years ago, I decided to become active in
my union (UMPSA), and, not being one who likes
to sit back and watch others do the work, I jumped
in with both feet. I applied for, and was accepted
to the NEA’s Emerging Leaders Academy, and am
now president of my statewide local. I currently
represent District P (ACSUM, UMPSA, MPBN) on the MEA Board
of Directors, am a delegate to both the MEA and NEA RA’s, and
was chosen last year to be on the editorial board for the NEA’s peer
reviewed journal, Thought and Action.
Gary McGrane – District R
After retiring from the Bureau of Labor Education, University of
Maine I went to work for my Native American brothers and sisters
of the Penobscot Nation. What I liked about my job(s) was not only
working from a curriculum but working from experience. Working
for BLE gave me the opportunity to share the experiences I had
gained over the last forty years working in a union environment.
The MEA and the NEA have made great strides in Standing Up for
Students, and now we must not let the politically elite pull the rug out
February 2017
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Your Association
from under us. As teachers we built a public school system so that
every child and young adult would have a chance for a better life, a
society that allowed aging workers to retire with dignity, and created
communities of first class citizens. If elected I want to continue with
these efforts. I truly believe we are all better off if we invest in the
future together. As a retired teacher I want to work with like-minded
teachers that are willing to make a positive difference.
Thomas (Tom) H. Moore III – District R
I was born in Portland, Maine, but spent my early
childhood years in Puerto Rico, Dominican
Republic, and Jamaica, B.W.l. After attending
Eastport Grammar School, I graduated from Shead
Memorial High School, 1959. I graduated from
University of Maine at Orono, 1963, with a B.A. in
Romance Languages. I was awarded a French Government Teaching
Assistantship in English at Lycée Périer, Marseille, France, academic
year 1963-64. I earned an M.A. in Spanish at Middlebury College,
Vermont, 1972. I taught from 1964 to 2008 in public and private
schools: Hamilton-Wenham Regional H.S. (MA), Fryeburg Academy
(ME), Gardiner Area H.S. (ME), William Penn Charter School
(Philadelphia, PA), Germantown Academy (Ft. Washington, PA), and
Upper Kennebec Valley H.S. (Bingham, ME).
I served on MEA Board, District C, 2004-2008; as delegate to MEA
RA, 2003-2008, as an alternate in 2009, and from 2010 to present. I
was elected delegate to NEA RA, 2007 & 2008 and 2010-2016. As
Information Chair for Somerset-R, I have edited the newsletter
“Electromediagram for Somerset Retired Educators” since 2009.
I was elected MEA-R 2nd Vice President (2011-2013), 1st Vice
President (2013-2015) and President (2015-2017). I understand
our issues and would represent you with indefatigable tenacity. Thank
you.
NEA RA At-Large Candidates (alphabetically) for 2-year terms
Stacie Cocola – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
For the past two years I have been fortunate to attend
the NEA-RA as an Alternate At-Large Delegate. They
were amazing experiences and powerful reminders
of the work educators do beyond just the curriculum
they teach. I have been a high school English teacher
for almost two decades, teaching literature, writing,
public speaking, and myriad electives, and earned my National Board
Certification in 2014. At the local level I have proudly served as a
building rep, vice president, and am currently in my fourth year as
president. At the state level I have been a Representative for the
MEA-RA for the past five years, served two years on the Government
Relations Committee and am currently on the Instruction and
Professional Development Committee. Beyond my classroom and
union work I am a PLCSS mentor and facilitate PD opportunities on
using technology in the classroom.
Teaching is an art and a science and it is my goal to continue to
advocate for our profession at the local, state and national levels;
your vote for me as an NEA-RA At-Large Delegate will allow
me to continue that work on behalf of us all. Thank you for your
consideration!
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Maine Educator • February 2017
Rebecca Cole – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
Rebecca is a first grade teacher and 20-year veteran
staff member in RSU #14. As President of the
Sebago East Shore EA, she values every opportunity
to advocate for her students and colleagues in
working to foster the best possible learning and
teaching environment for all.
Rebecca serves on a number of district-level committees and is the
Chair of the Instruction and Professional Development Committee
for the Maine Education Association. When not engaged in
professional pursuits, Rebecca participates in several local community
theatre groups and enjoys reading, kayaking, traveling, and spending
time with her family.
Andrew Doak – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
It is hard for me to put myself “out there” and self-promote, but let
me give it a shot:
After 3 years on committee and participating in our own RA, I am
ready to lend my voice. I am 27 and a Special Ed Teacher in rural
Maine. I led negotiations at 23 on a contract as an Ed Tech, and am
on the team of the third contract I have been a part of. I have worked
in Day-Treatment, coach two sports, I have been a part of a grassroots political campaign, and have a deep passion for the direction
of teaching. It terrifies me, as I am sure it terrifies you. All of the
background work I try to do has pushed me to try for a bigger, more
impactful experience.
With these experiences, not only do I know how to use Assessments
to inform instruction instead of as a competitive marker, I
understand budgets and contract language. I am a Social Studies
turned Ed Tech at a Day-Treatment program turned Special Ed
Teacher who understands the cruel nature of our profession. Thank
you for your time and consideration.
Beth French – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
My name is Beth French and I have been an active
MEA member and passionate public school educator
for fifteen years. I am a full time wife, mother of three
sons, and third grade teacher in my hometown. It has
been my honor and privilege to serve my community
as a distinguished member of my East Belfast School
Leadership Team, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma,
and Local Union Vice President in RSU 71 Education Association.
I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge and experience on committees
for; TEPG, Negotiations, Standards Based Report Card Writing,
and CCSS Curriculum Alignment. I currently serve as MEA Board
District D Director, on Resolutions Committee as Board Liaison,
MEA ad hoc Organizing Committee, and an MEA RA delegate. I
was appointed to the DOE Task Force for Maine’s School Report
Card Grades A-F, and attended the Northeast Organizing Institute
in 2016. In 2015 I served as an MEA/NEA Representative Assembly
Delegate, and eagerly await the opportunity to serve my colleagues
around the state in this capacity once again. I would be most honored
to represent my professional perspective and experience on the issues
that most effect public education, as an NEA Delegate.
Your Association
Sarah Hirschfeld – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
My name is Sarah Hirschfeld, and I am a third year
science teacher at Yarmouth High School. Growing up
outside Philadelphia, PA, I came to Maine to attend
college and ended up falling in love with the state and
the opportunity to work in its schools. I teach 9th
and 10th grade science as well as coach the Science
Bowl team, middle school swim team, and the high school junior
varsity softball team. I am currently enrolled in an online Masters
Program through the University of New England to earn a Master of
Science in Education. I first became involved in the Maine Education
Association in 2015 through the Young Education Professionals of
the MEA event at Sunday River. Connecting with other educators
throughout the state invigorated my desire to get involved with the
MEA. Since then, I have attended the 2016 MEA Representative
Assembly, joined a district­wide committee that changed the school
start time of our district schools, became a member of the MEA’s
Instruction and Professional Development committee, and continued
attending YEP­MEA events supporting new members.
Phyllis Hunter – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
Public Education is the cornerstone of our democracy
and never before has its very existence faced such an
uncertain future. The many voices of NEA members
must be louder and stronger than ever before. I have
been one of those passionate and strong voices
standing up for the important work you do everyday
on behalf of Maine’s students.
I entered the field of public education as a second career and from
day one I understood the importance of becoming an active member.
I have served as Vice-President, President, and Chief Negotiator
of my local association. I have served on the MEA’s Government
Relations Committee, the MEA’s Board of Directors, and presently I
am serving on the MEA’s Statewide Bargaining Committee. In 2013 I
was honored to receive the prestigious “Ann Sheehan Political Action
Award” from the MEA as of result of my work with members of the
legislature in Augusta as well as organizing back home meetings with
many of them.
For the past three years your vote has afforded me the great honor of
representing you at the annual NEA Representative Assembly. Your
vote will allow me to continue to be that passionate and strong voice
on your behalf.
Allison Lytton – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
My name is Allison Lytton, I currently serve as
Secretary for the Lewiston Education Association.
I am a 2nd grade teacher at Governor James B.
Longley Elementary School in Lewiston, Maine. This
is my 7th year in the teaching profession and my 3rd
year teaching in Maine. I previously taught in North
Carolina and was an active member of the NCAE. I
served as the Chair of the Human and Civil Rights Commission at
the state level and also locally as the Beginning Educators Director,
representing all members within the district with 5 years or less in the
profession. I have enjoyed my participation with the LEA and MEA
thus far. I look forward to continuing and growing my involvement
on a local and state level. I would appreciate the opportunity to
represent MEA and the educators of Lewiston at the NEA this
coming summer.
Terry Martin – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
I am running to be a NEA RA representative for
the second time. I am running because I love this
organization and what it stands for. I have met so
many dedicated educators all over our state over the
past three years serving as a member of the MEA
Board of Directors and in the two NEA RA’s I
have attended I have met many more dedicated educators from all
over our nation. The educators I have met over the last two years
are consistently passionate about the predicament that educators
have found themselves in lately. They are frustrated over the over
testing of children, that limits the time they have to truly educate
their students. They are frustrated with consistent lack of resources
to meet the needs of children. I want to represent these educators
at the national level especially with the new administration’s plan to
challenge public education as it has never been challenged before.
I not only have experience as a member of the Board of Directors
and as a representative at the NEA RA the last two years, but I have
served at the MEA RA for the past decade. Please vote for me.
David Murray – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
I am a second grade teacher in Piscataquis county.
Before my time working in the United States, I lived
and taught in Japan for eight years, which is where
I realized my love for teaching. I have been working
with the MEA on the Government Relationships
community for several years, and currently am its
chair. I truly enjoy working for the teachers and
students of Maine and I look forward to representing you at the
NEA-RA.
Jonathan Payne – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
Dr. Jonathan Payne has had the honor of representing
Maine as an NEA At-Large delegate for the past two
years and would be humbled by the opportunity to
serve again. He has recently defended his doctoral
dissertation A Pilot Benefit and Costs Analysis
Study of Sponsors of Registered Apprenticeships in
Maine to complete his Ph.D. in in Public Policy with Concentration:
Educational Leadership. He began teaching Chemistry and
Engineering in 2007 at Noble High School where he is currently
finishing his third year as Technology Integrator. He holds his B.S. in
Marine Biology from the University of New Hampshire and his M.S.
in Teaching and Learning from USM. He has been an active engaged
member of his local where he has served as a Building Rep., Vice
President, and is currently serving his third year as President.
He is also an active member at the State level where he has
represented his local at the MEA RA and serves on, and was co-chair
for, the Government Relations Committee. All of these experiences
have given him the depth and breadth to better understand education
and ed. policy for myriad stakeholders.
February 2017
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Your Association
Jane Seidenberg – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
Hi everybody. I have been a special education teacher
for 18 years. I have been an active member of NEAMEA for 15 years! These past three years I have been
my building representative and a member of the GTA
Executive Board. I am strongly in support of public
schools and have been dismayed at the reform agenda
that has been pushed down our throats by clueless bureaucrats the
past 10 years. Thank goodness No Child Left Behind is history but
I am skeptical about the new ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act).
I believe teacher’s voices are the most important and most of the
mandates coming down from the federal government make our jobs
harder not easier. It’s about time teachers got the support and credit
we deserve. We all work hard and this blaming of teacher’s is not
constructive, does not help our students and has to stop. My vision
is that there is more local control for teachers and teacher’s input is
used and valued when designing content and assessments. Thank you
so much for your support. I will do my best to represent the needs of
teachers and students to the best of my ability.
Molly Smith – NEA RA At-Large Delegate
As a long standing member of the organization I
have served in many capacities. Currently, as local
Negotiator, Building Representative and as Chair
of the Human, Civil Rights and Cultural Affairs
Committee.
I have worked in education for 42 years. As a special
education teacher I have supported and advocated for my students
and their families, many of whom are among the most vulnerable of
our citizens.
I am proud to be a PUBLIC servant with all of the challenges that
accompany that role. My son and daughter are currently educators in
Maine. They are third generation public educators, which gives me
much delight and concern. The work we have chosen is important
and a thousand times worth the investment.
Robert “Bo” Zabierek – NEA RA At-Large
Delegate
I am the member of the MEA Board of Directors
for District A and have been a Delegate at the MEA
Representative Assemblies (RAs), in Portland for
two terms and have served two terms as an at-large
Delegate at the NEA Representative Assembly (NEARA); where I am a member of the CTE (Career and
Technical Education) Caucus. I also serve on the MEA Government
Relations Committee.
I am also the Past President of the Southern Aroostook Vocational
Educators’ (SAVE) Association. I feel that it’s important that CTE
schools have a voice at the RAs and that all facets of the Maine
educational landscape be represented. I’m on SkillsUSA Maine’s
Board of Directors. I’m also the current President of ACTE-Maine
(Association of Career and Technical Educators-Maine). I work at
the Region Two School of Applied Technology in Aroostook County,
my wife Suzie and son James have taught Aroostook County students
at Katahdin High School. I bring a fresh and unique perspective to
the conversations and issues at the NEA-RA and am asking for your
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Maine Educator • February 2017
vote for the position of Delegate At-Large, I would be honored to
continue to represent all Maine’s Teachers and ESPs at the NEA
Representative Assembly.
NEA RA Districts Candidates for 1-year terms
Ken Williams – NEA RA District 25 Delegate
Upon hearing that a NEA Representative Assembly
delegate seat opened up for District 25 I immediately
went to work on running for that opening. Over my
31-year classroom career many MEA colleagues have
made powerful comments about the thrill of the
NEA RA and I have had a personal and professional
goal to one day attend a Representative Assembly as
a delegate. It is now my pleasure to be running, and soon, I hope,
advocating for MEA members at our national affiliate. Positions
as a local president, local negotiator, current and past MEA Board
member, MEA RA delegate for 25+ years and veteran Retirement
System trustee since 2005 all feed into my knowledge and experience
base. I promise to be an active and informed member of the
Maine delegation to the NEA RA. Working at the NEA RA for the
thousands of MEA members across the preK-12 faculty, higher
education and professional support staff worlds is something I will
cherish. Policy work is interesting as are advocacy roles and I pledge
to work diligently and thoughtfully on behalf of all MEA members at
the national Representative Assembly.
Robert “Bo” Zabierek – NEA RA District 29
Delegate
I am the member of the MEA Board of Directors
for District A and have been a Delegate at the MEA
Representative Assemblies (RAs), in Portland for
two terms and have served two terms as an at-large
Delegate at the NEA Representative Assembly
(NEA-RA); where I am a member of the CTE (Career and Technical
Education) Caucus. I also serve on the MEA Government Relations
Committee.
I am also the Past President of the Southern Aroostook Vocational
Educators’ (SAVE) Association. I feel that it’s important that CTE
schools have a voice at the RAs and that all facets of the Maine
educational landscape be represented. I’m on SkillsUSA Maine’s
Board of Directors. I’m also the current President of ACTE-Maine
(Association of Career and Technical Educators-Maine). I work at
the Region Two School of Applied Technology in Aroostook County,
my wife Suzie and son James have taught Aroostook County students
at Katahdin High School. I bring a fresh and unique perspective to
the conversations and issues at the NEA-RA and am asking for your
vote for the position of Delegate for District 29, I would be honored
to continue to represent all Maine’s Teachers and ESPs at the NEA
Representative Assembly.