Structure

The Maine State GEAR UP project is based at the Maine Department of Education and administered by Syntiro in collaboration with the Maine Parent Federation and the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) (2005-2011).

Staff

Visit our Contact page for more information.

Maine Department of Education

Project Director: David Stockford
Grants Management: Tom Coulombe and Dawn Kliphan

Syntiro

Syntiro provides quality learning opportunities which celebrate, support and connect all members of the learning community. We provide a wide variety of technical assistance, support and professional development focused on children and youth with disabilities.

GEAR UP Project Directors: Kathryn Markovchick
Assistant Director: Beth Lambert
Technical Assistance Coordinators: Pam Flood and, Debbie Gilmer
Operations Coordinator: Rick Wilson
Webmaster/Graphic Designer: Jenny Hartung

Maine Parent Federation (MPF)

The Maine Parent Federation is a statewide private non-profit organization that provides information, advocacy, education, and training to parents and professionals to benefit all children. We promote individual aspirations and community inclusion for people with disabilities. In existence since 1984, MPF is physically located in Augusta Maine, but assistance is available on a statewide basis.

Executive Director: Janice LaChance
Parent Involvement Activity Coordinators: Ray Cook, Ann Long

Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)

The Finance Authority of Maine provides access to innovative financial solutions to help Maine citizens pursue business and higher educational opportunities.

Financial Officer: Claude Roy

Regional Technical Assistance Coordinators (RTACs)

The three RTACs are contracted by Syntiro to provide regional support to districts and schools. In addition, they coordinate resources with Maine Parent Federation’s regional parent coordinators. Specifically, they provide professional development and other activities designed to assist districts in implementing their GEAR UP plans as well as identify and leverage community, state, and national resources to support the implementation of the GEAR UP goals (e.g. professional development, identification of grants, and college-going opportunities)

For more details about what services and knowledge RTACs can provide, please visit Schools > RTACs

Liaisons

GEAR UP Liaisons are essential in many ways. They work in close collaboration with the RTACs and school staff to create opportunities for on-going professional development and related activities designed to support the integration of a college going culture into the day-to-day teaching and learning activities of the school

For more about Liaisons, visit Schools > Liaisons