By Marc Glass, August 2019
Since Upward Bound’s founding at the University in 1980, UMF alumni have been a mainstay in the federally funded program’s efforts to raise the aspirations and post-secondary academic readiness of disadvantaged, high-potential high school students from west-central Maine.
Among the 2019 Upward Bound staff helping 105 students take their goals, skills, and knowledge to the next level were 10 alumni educators, who brought a broad range of content knowledge and pedagogical skills to the six-week, on-campus program.
From left to right, the UMF alumni educators of the 2019 Upward Bound staff: Elective Teacher and Erskine Academy Ed Tech III Chris Vogel ’14, English Teacher and Dirigo High School–Middle School Ed Tech III Justin Fisette ’17; Thai Language Teacher and UMF Johnson Scholars Academic Advisor Claudia Intama ’19; Bridge Instructor and UMF Director of Teacher Education Accreditation Larry Ronco ’93; Success Seminar Teacher and Lawrence Jr. High School Language Arts Teacher Beth Hillier ’90; Assistant Director of Upward Bound Elyse Pratt-Ronco ’02; Activities Coordinator and USM graduate student Mariah Ellis ’19; Math Instructor and Oak Hill High School Math Teacher Nicole Brewer ’19; Upward Bound Student Services Coordinator Mary Sinclair ’05; and Math Instructor and Mt. Blue Middle School Math Teacher Kayla Girardin ’17. (Photo by Lynn Ploof-Davis.)
Elyse Pratt-Ronco ’02, the University’s assistant director of Upward Bound, says she routinely recruits alumni educators for the summer program staff for one reason.
“UMF graduates stand out in the applicant pool. In particular, those who have graduated from UMF’s teacher education programs are well prepared to meet our expectations,” says Pratt-Ronco, who began working with Upward Bound the summer after her sophomore year while majoring in Elementary Education.
“I know from my own experience with Upward Bound that it can offer all educators — pre-service teachers and veterans alike — an amazing professional experience,” she says. “It changed the course of my professional life.”
Through the intensive residential summer session at UMF, Upward Bound provides select area high school students with intensive academic instruction in mathematics (including advanced calculus), composition, literature, laboratory science, foreign language, and study skills. Through its year-round in-school programming, Upward Bound also provides students with one-on-one academic, financial, and personal counseling, as well as personalized assistance with completing college admissions applications and financial aid and scholarship applications.
“I’m grateful to have had UMF alumni and students comprise nearly half of our summer staff this year,” says Pratt-Ronco. “We want our summer program to be rigorous, engaging, innovative, and challenging for our participants. UMF alumni are prepared to do all of these things in the classroom, year after year.”