“One Child, One Teacher, One Book, and One Pen Can Change The World.”

As I was putting the finishing touches on this issue of Maine Educator, I was reminded of a photo of my mother and me at her college graduation. When I was four years old, my mom graduated with her associate degree from Kennebec Valley Technical College, now Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC).

Stepping onto the campus of KVCC to interview faculty members for “The Adaptability of Community College Faculty”, I started thinking about the community college educators who impacted my mom’s life and, as a result, mine. These educators not only provided her with the knowledge and skills she needed to succeed but also instilled a sense of confidence and determination that she passed on to me. I spent many hours during my childhood playing basketball in the gymnasium of Carter Hall on the KVCC campus because in addition to my mom being an alumna of the college, my grandfather worked there throughout my childhood until his retirement.

We have so much to be proud of here in Maine, with countless dedicated educators committed to changing our communities for the better. We have educators like Kaley Brown (SAD 54 EA) mentoring students as they bring awareness to their peers about mental health issues. Read more about that in “Your Mind Matters”. We have amazing schools like Caribou Community School, where educators are dedicated to fostering a passion for reading. Find out how they are doing that. We can also be thankful for the solidarity of our colleagues. Learn more about how a few ESP bargaining units organized for big wins this fall.

I ended the year reading I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai, a book that I used to teach but hadn’t revisited in years. This powerful memoir recounts Malala’s courageous fight for girls’ education in Pakistan and her survival after being targeted by the Taliban. With the recent chatter about dismantling the Department of Education, I found myself seeking inspiration and a reminder of why our work as educators is so vital. In the book, Malala recounts a well-known speech she gave at the United Nations where she declared, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.”

Inspired by her words, I wrote that quote on a post-it and hung it next to my desk as a reminder that the work we do as educators every day is powerful and important. Educators like you are making a difference in the lives of your students, your schools, and your communities. Your dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed, and they have a ripple effect that extends far beyond the classroom.

As we enter the new year, I want to express my gratitude for all that you do. Happy New Year from my desk to yours, THANK YOU for your commitment to education and for the positive impact you make every day.

Samantha Burdick
Director of Communications & Editor