SYNTIRO - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of the Syntiro Board
• Co - Active Life Coach

Corda is a trained Co-Active Life Coach, master's level Regular/Special Educator, and visual artist who is currently exploring materials, mediums and techniques. She is also the co-founder of Celebratory Learning and a facilitator/designer for workshops, retreats, team building and professional development in many areas and topics. Corda's passion is learning and teaching and Organizational Development. She has worked in Maine education for 40+ years as a Special Educator and Professional Development Facilitator. She recently worked for GEAR UP Maine at Syntiro as an Educational Strategist. Corda is noted for her warmth, humor, and engaging presentation style. Her passions include time with family, learning, reading, creating, and listening to Loons.

Job Titles:

• GEAR UP Maine Program Assistant
• GEAR UP Program Assistant

I am an avid outdoors person and biological researcher who now researches ways to help school districts create a culture of continuing education and career preparedness while students are in K-12 and beyond. I have extensive experience using databases, spreadsheets and other manners of informational accountability. I have a desire to improve the lives of todays' children and improve lives in rural Maine; my work experiences in Maine public schools and raising a family in rural Maine myself motivated me to work with GEAR UP Maine. I am a creative problem solver and freedom of ideas while maintaining the structure to get the work done. In addition to hiking and cross country skiing, budgets, financial accountability, report writing and spreadsheets are things that I consider fun! Something you are proud of at Syntiro: I am proud of the work that we do to assist rural, economically challenged communities in Maine. Our work with schools and students gives these communities and their children resources that they would otherwise not have access to. What do you like most about your role at Syntiro? I am supported by my fellow staff members and feel insured by our mission. I have the freedom to creatively solve problems, and do work that is meaningful.

Job Titles:

• Executive Director
• President
• President of the Syntiro Board

I am an experienced Executive Director/CEO with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organization management industry. I have strong business development and management skills, building coalitions, advocacy, community organizing, and policy. For over 40 years I have been committed to introducing and supporting new and innovative strategies to build inclusive communities in Maine: schools, workplaces, and communities. I have been a leader working collaboratively with stakeholders to design innovative programs that address challenges facing the state of Maine. Something you are proud of at Syntiro: I am most proud of our outstanding staff and board. What do you like most about your role at Syntiro? What I like most about my role at Syntiro is being able to support people to do their best work. is the President of Syntiro and the Project Director of the Employment for ME Workforce Development System funded by Maine DHHS and VR to certify, support, teach and mentor Employment Specialists across the state. She directed Maine HEP program, a statewide high school equivalency program serving migrant and seasonal farm workers. She previously served as the co-director of the Healthy & Ready to Work National Resource Center funded by the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau as well as the 2005 Maine State GEAR UP program funded by the US Department of Education's Office of Post- Secondary Education as well as Associate Director and Acting Director of the University of Maine's Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies. She has served as a special education teacher, transition coordinator and directed Maine's statewide inclusive schools project, LEARNS. She served as co-state lead of Maine's US DOL Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program and was a founding member of the Employment First Maine Coalition. She served as a board member of Disability Rights Maine, the Maine Department of Education's Consensus Based Rule Making Panel on Restraint and Seclusion, past president of Maine APSE and currently serves on the national APSE public policy committee. She has provided technical assistance and consultation to the Think College National Resource Center and served on their Advisory Committee. She has conducted technical assistance and training on transition and employment across the country for many years. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and a Master's Degree in Special Education from the University of Maine.​

Job Titles:

• Member of the Syntiro Board

Gayla LaBreck has had educational experiences as a teacher in several school districts including Sidney, Augusta and Chelsea, Principal in South China, Literacy Specialist at Chelsea School from 1990 until 2000 and Curriculum Director in Winslow, Vassalboro and China when they were part of Union 52. In 1996 she left Chelsea for one year to work at the DOE as a Distinguished Education. She holds a M.ED as a K-12 Literacy Specialist and a C.A.S in Educational Leadership from the University of Maine. She is currently an Educational Consultant (G & P Enterprises, Inc.) and most of her present work entails working with public school systems throughout the State of Maine offering professional development for teachers in best practices in literacy instruction. She was a member of the Maine Curriculum Leaders' Association Board (MCLA) for six years between 2011-2017. She has also worked with the Maine Content Literacy Project (MCLP) as a literacy coach in the Western Maine Partnership for the duration of the grant, which ended in 2014. As an associate professor at Thomas College since 2007, she has taught in both of the Bachelors of Education and the Masters of Science of Education Programs. Most recently, she spent four years with a grant process Developing and Supporting Assessment Practices (DSAP) in Central Maine as Thomas College acted as one of their partners in the assessment process. She has also joined University of Maine at Farmington adjunct faculty as part of their Outreach Graduate Program offering a Literacy Concentration to those obtaining their Master of Education Degree.

Job Titles:

• Treasurer of the Syntiro Board

When you ask Jean Roesner what she teaches, her automatic response is kids. After 16 years of teaching at Maranacook Community High School, Jean commits herself to doing what is best for her students each and every day. The best part of Jean's job is being an advisor, where she can help kids learn more about themselves and their post secondary dreams through relationship building, conversation, and encouragement. Jean wouldn't tell you herself, but she was invited to the Governor's Academy for STEM education, presented at the National Science Teacher's Annual Conference on Education, and has developed innovative ways for teachers to collaborate in order to improve practice within RSU 38. Jean has also served on the College Access Team at RSU 38 and has worked with Maine College Circle to increase post secondary planning awareness for district students grades 5-8. Jean currently resides with her family in Readfield, Maine. She enjoys finding ways to support work within her community, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Job Titles:

• GEAR UP Communications Specialist
• GEAR UP Maine Communications Coordinator

What entices YOU to read a document? Non-profit communications coordinator with 8 years of experience in communications, digital media and public relations. My passion for design, photography, event planning, and relationship building are evident in my monthly newsletters, stakeholder communications, and all of GEAR UP Maine's branded documents . I'm constantly looking for the most efficient and effective way to produce quality work even when faced with short notice. My end products always have the user experience (UX) in mind. Something you are proud of at Syntiro: I am most proud of the passion that each staff members brings to the work we do. What do you like most about your role at Syntiro? I love to being able to share (both state-wide and nationally) the amazing work we do with students and teachers and administration across the state of Maine.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Syntiro Board
• Maine Medical Center 's Department of Vocational Services As Operations Manager

Lillian Doughty joined Maine Medical Center's Department of Vocational Services as Operations Manager in October 2019. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services and in Biology from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Lillian is a licensed social worker with over 37 years in working in a variety of non-profit organizations servicing people with disabilities. Lillian has been instrumental in the development of new program initiatives and resources for Maine people with Parkinson's disease, chronic disease self-management and in supportive employment services. Lillian also serves on the board of directors at Portland Mentoring Program and a long standing corporate board member of Sweetser of Saco and honorary board member of the Maine Parkinson Society.

Job Titles:

• GEAR UP Maine Scholar Coach
• GEAR UP Scholar Coach Manager

I am a deeply dedicated educator who believes in improving the future for all learners and having a positive impact on the lives of others is something I greatly value. As the GEAR UP Maine Scholar Coaches Manager, it is my responsibility to lead the development and implementation of a college access and readiness program that works with 7-12 students, school personnel and faculty and staff at Institutions of Higher Education throughout Maine. From experience, building relationships is the cornerstone to an effective program and being detailed oriented, collaborative, innovative, and a creative problem solver are all traits which allow me to excel in relationship building. Something you are proud of at Syntiro: I am proud of the dedication and commitment of our staff to provide services that benefit the future of Maine youth. What do you like most about your role at Syntiro? I love the relationships I am able to build across the State of Maine through my role as Scholar Coach Manager.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Syntiro Board
• Director at the Capital Area Technical Center

Nicholas Gannon is the director at the Capital Area Technical Center in Augusta. Prior to working at CATC , Nicholas was principal at Richmond Middle/High School, part of RSU #2, and principal, assistant principal/athletic director, and math teacher at Lisbon High School in Lisbon Falls, ME. Nicholas's current work at CATC focuses on workforce development through program creation/expansion to meet the current labor needs and educating communities on the amazing opportunities for students at CATC. Through this work he hopes to help students find and be engaged in school programs that are of high interest and that lead to jobs that are satisfying in high skill/high wage industries. Nicholas's work in Richmond focused on establishing learner agency and structural supports for personalized learning in a proficiency based teaching and learning system. He has presented at state and national conferences as part of a team of RSU #2 representatives. Nicholas' personal education interests include Career and Technical Education, alternative pathways to graduation, and school culture improvement through cultivating hope in all learners. Nicholas holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Brandeis University, completed course work for education certifications at Salem State College, and holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from New England College. He lives in Sabattus with his wife Lindsay, children Helen (5) and Wallace (3), and four cats.​

Job Titles:

• Administrative Specialist / HR
• GEAR UP Administrative Specialist

I am the Administrative Specialist for Syntiro and GEAR UP Maine. Syntiro is a small nonprofit in rural Maine that is committed to working for equity and social justice, access and opportunities that enhance and improve education and employment outcomes. At Syntiro, I am the Human Resources contact responsible for coordinating benefits, personnel files, mileage and expense reimbursements, and employee time tracking. I serve as one of the point people to field incoming questions to the office and outgoing contact to trainees. I have close to 13 years experience working with GEAR UP grants both partnership and statewide.I work on special projects for the program such as travel logistics, creating and maintaining spreadsheets, as well as tracking staff and district information. Part of my role with Syntiro involves working with the Workforce Development Grant by creating, sending and tracking all information associated with the registration process for our trainings and workshops through Cvent.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Syntiro Board
• Chairman of the Maine Charter School Commission

Shelley Reed is the current Chair of the Maine Charter School Commission. MCSC is charged through legislation with the authorizing and oversight of up to 10 public charter schools including any virtual charter schools in Maine. She is also affiliated with the Restorative Justice Institute of Maine developing trainings to support the work of communities initiating restorative practices. Working in the career of education for 38 years Shelley retired from the Department of Education in 2011 as the consultant for Truancy, Dropout, Alternative Education, and Homeless Youth. This work with students-at-risk led to membership on Keeping Maine's Children Connected, Juvenile Justice Advisory Group, Shared Youth Vision Council, multiple task forces, and preparation of legislation on behalf of Maine's youth. Previous to DOE experience Shelley taught first and second grade in Auburn and was an elementary school counselor in Lewiston. She enjoys kayaking, gardening, the beach, and diving into a good book. Wayne is home to her and husband David. Her three grown children reside in Vermont, Uganda, and Taiwan.

Job Titles:

• Coach

Job Titles:

• GEAR UP Maine Scholar Coach

After 26 years in public education I can easily say that the very best part of my career was being an advisor and advocate for learners. Being a scholar coach with GEAR UP Maine allows me to continue with that passion. I'll be here to support and guide our scholars during their transition from high school to college. Being a first generation college student myself, I understand not always knowing where to find answers and how to overcome barriers. I'll be here to help provide answers, help navigate, and to encourage self-advocacy with the scholars I have the privilege to work with. My love of learning, enthusiasm for education, and my excitement to work directly with students makes me happy to go to work everyday!