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Regional Technical Assistance Coordinators (RTACs)
What is the RTAC role?
RTACs serve as a resource at all levels of the grant with a focus on schools and liaisons. A few of the many functions RTACs serve:
- Provide assistance to schools in developing, implementing, and evaluating yearly plans to meet the GEAR-UP goals and objectives
- Collaborate with the school leadership team to increase college-going aspirations for all students
- Work collaboratively with regional and statewide partners to identify and secure community, regional, and state resources that promote a sustainable GEAR UP Program
For a complete list of essential functions, see the RTAC Job Description [.doc].
Who are the RTACs?
Beth Lambert, Portland
beth@syntiro.org
(860) 490-1271
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In addition to being the RTAC for the Portland area, Beth is the Professional Development Coordinator for the GEAR UP program and works in a variety of capacities to increase the support and implementation of GEAR UP goals and objectives across the state. Before joining the Maine Support Network, Beth taught middle and high school in Connecticut and Maine. She holds an Ed.M from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education in School Leadership. Specifically interested in teacher-leadership, while a graduate student she worked on the millennium teams project in the Boston Public Schools before moving back to Maine and joining the Maine Support Network. Beth has presented at regional and national conferences on topics such as Universal Design for Learning, Protocols in the Classroom, Differentiated Instruction, Teaching teams, and innovative teaching practices. |
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Wendy Allen, Statewide
wwallen58@gmail.com
(207) 674-2194
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Wendy's areas of expertise include teaching leadership skills and transition planning with young people with disabilities, facilitating groups and organizations, organizing professional development activities and providing support to parents. In the last 10 years she has worked as a consultant for the Center for Educational Transformation at the Maine Department of Education and as a technical assistance coordinator for the Maine Committee on Transition. She has worked with GEAR UP for the past 3 years and is a member of the advisory group for the Maine Content Literacy Project. Wendy lives in West Paris with her son Ian who is in high school and husband Tom who teaches 6th grade. She also has a daughter Maureen who is a lawyer in CA and a son Colin who is a web developer in Chicago. |
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Betty Jordan, Washington County
wcc@maine.edu
(207) 255-1219
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Betty Jordan has spent nearly 40 years in education. She has taught in regular classrooms and worked in the area of special education for 14 years. She has also worked in administration as a Special Education Director, Curriculum Coordinator, Gifted and Talented Director, and Superintendent of Schools. Since 2000, she has been the director of the Washington County Consortium for School Improvement (WCCSI), a regional partnership. Projects for WCCSI have included a Research Study with THE LAB at Brown University on Adolescent Literacy, a Federal Grant for Polycoms in every school in Washington County K-16, Early College as part of Washington County’s DECLA Grant (Gates) for five rural high schools, a Title IIA Literacy Grant for grades 4-12, and the on-going provision of high quality professional development to the schools. Betty is enjoying her new work with GEAR UP and focusing on harnessing the distance learning, as well as increased student literacy, in keeping with the goals of GEAR UP. |
Rick Wilson, Portland and Washington County
rick@syntiro.org
(207) 242-0855
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Rick joined Syntiro on August 1, 2010, having just retired on July 1, 2010 after 33 years in public education. Rick had been Principal at Manchester Elementary School for the last 18 years. This past year he was also Principal of Mt. Vernon Elementary School. Rick was Chair of the Professional Development Committee at the Maine Principals' Association from 2005-2009. Prior to his years in administration, Rick was a K-8 music specialist in Union 42 (Manchester, Mt. Vernon, Readfield and Wayne). He holds a Mus. B from Boston University and an M.ED. from the University of Maine. In addition to being an RTAC for Portland and for schools in Washington County, Rick will serve as Syntiro's facilitator for Professional Development in Washington and Hancock County. Rick's interests and expertise include teacher training and development, educational leadership, team building and school climate. |
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