The hallways of Gorham Middle School were filled with more than just students on Wednesday, January 18. State and local officials joined the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in their classes as part of Invite Your Legislator to School Month. Maine House Majority Leader Maureen Terry and Senator Stacey Benner were joined by Maine Commissioner of Education Pender Makin, Gorham Town Council Chairperson Lee Pratt, Gorham Town Councilor Seven Siegal, and School Committee members Jen Whitehead and Stewart MacCallister for a morning of listening, learning and reflecting. The dignitaries began their morning meeting with student leaders to hear their ideas for improving education, including later start times for schools, and concerns about ensuring their peers have the emotional, academic, and financial support they need.

The purpose of Invite your Legislator to School Month is to build relationships between educators and students and policy makers and to provide decision makers with a better understanding of how educational policy impacts students and educators. The January 18th visit was organized by 2020 Maine Teacher of the Year and GMS Alternative Education teacher Heather Whitaker, and Aspire Gorham Communications Coordinator Jen Belanger, with support from many GMS staff, Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Network, and Aspire Gorham.

Each of the legislators attended classes and learned along with the students. Over lunch, Gorham Middle School staff and their guests discussed successes, current challenges, legislation, and possible solutions for public education and the Gorham school community. There was rich and honest discussion, with lots of laughs and connections made.

All who participated noted the value and impact of the day. Senator Stacy Brenner later shared her reflection of the day. “My biggest “aha” came watching the teachers effortlessly and masterfully find the magic in each of their students regardless of the student’s skill with the subject matter. The respectful way each teacher engaged with all of the students is heartwarming. I only wish there was an easy way to bottle this up and share it more broadly in celebration and recognition. I loved hearing directly from the students.”

School Committee member, Jen Whitehead stated, “It was such a powerful day and I have been singing the praises to anyone who will listen! I think people may or may not have an idea of how huge and complex that the job of a teacher is, but there is nothing like seeing it in action.”

“It was so wonderful to be able to showcase the hard work our incredible band students put in and to be able to discuss with stakeholders the needs of our growing music programs,” said GMS music teacher Rosemarie Skilling.

Invite your Legislator to School Month began in honor of Kevin Grover, Maine’s 2010 Teacher of the Year. A beloved and passionate elementary educator, Grover was committed to the idea that teachers and policy makers at the local and state level should have more opportunities to form relationships with each other. Unfortunately, Grover unexpectedly passed away in 2012. As a way to honor Grover’s commitment and his legacy, state representative Mary Nelson sponsored LD 822, which officially named January as Invite Your Maine Legislator to School Month.