2023 January Professional of the Month

February 16, 2023 by

Joseph Barnard is a senior at Cony enrolled in the Plumbing and Heating program.  Joseph said he was very nervous when he first started the program, but is so glad he stuck with it.  He finds the work-like environment in the program a great fit for him and can’t believe how the two hours a day class time flies.  When he is not in school, Joseph likes to work with his dad, as well as spend time with his family and friends.  His instructor, Mr. Nick Smith said, “I have the students help me select a student of the month, and Joseph was voted on overwhelmingly by his classmates for good reason.  He is always busy with all kinds of projects and hates to leave class at the end of the day.  He is very curious about how things work and does not give up when things aren’t going his way.”  Joseph says that doing plumbing and heating work makes him happy and he sees himself working in the field for a very long time.  After graduation, Joseph plans to attend a Maine Community College to continue his study in plumbing and heating.

Brianna Gardner is a senior at Erskine Academy enrolled for the second year in the Early Childhood Education program.  She has enjoyed being a teacher in the on-site pre-school program, My First School.  She has loved how well the information she has learned in the classroom has transferred into the pre-school program, especially in using language that really helps refocus challenging behaviors into prosocial behaviors. Her instructor, Miss Holly Foster, said, “Bri is a hardworking student that takes initiative and is a true leader in the classroom.  Over the last two year, I have watched Bri take the skills learned in the classroom and apply them to our on-site preschool program.  She is caring and focused, communicates well, works well with others and seeks out constructive feedback to improve her skills.”  Outside of school, Brianna likes to be outside, especially fishing in the spring and summer, as well as spending time with her family.  She is undecided right now about her plans after graduation.  She has been accepted into a few colleges and also is considering going straight into the workforce.