""Maine State GEAR UP Program
Creating a College-Going Culture in Maine


GEAR UP schools span an area of 248 miles. RTACs are a resource to respond to the varied needs of our GEAR UP regions.

RTACs
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, Regional

beth@syntiro.org
(207) 238-6021

 
Beth is the RTAC at Lawrence High School, Lawrence Junior High School, Madison High School, Madison Junior High School, Athens Elementary School, Carrabec Community School and Carrabec High School.

In addition to being the RTAC for these areas, Beth is the Assistant Director of 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 Syntiro, 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 Syntiro. 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.

Wendy Allen, Regional

wwallen58@gmail.com
(207) 674-2194

 
Wendy is the RTAC at Ella Lewis School, Mountain View School, Peninsula CSD School, Sumner High School, Lee Academy, Mount Jefferson Junior High, Helen S Dunn Elementary School, Old Town High School, Mt Abram Regional High School, Phillips Elementary School, Stratton Elementary School, Strong Elementary School, Hodgdon High School, Mill Pond School (formerly Hodgdon Elementary School), Piscataquis Community Secondary School, East Grand School and So Aroostook CSD School.

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.

Rick Wilson, Regional

rick@syntiro.org
(207) 242-0855

 
Rick is RTAC at Eastport Elementary School, Shead High School, Beatrice Rafferty School, Indian Township School, Woodland High School, Jonesboro Elementary School, Machias Memorial High School, Rose M Gaffney School, Jonesport Elementary School, Jonesport-Beals High School, Cherryfield Elementary, Daniel W Merritt School, Harrington Elementary School, Milbridge Elementary School, Narraguagus High School, Lubec Consolidated School, Calais High School, and Washington Academy

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.








National GEAR UP logo
Maine Department of Education Logo Syntiro The Maine State GEAR UP program is funded through a grant (reference #P3345050037; James Davis, Project Officer,) from the U.S. Department of Education to the Maine Department of Education and is managed by Syntiro.
Contact Us Maine State GEAR UP 11 South Road Readfield, ME 04355
p: (866) 291-0004 f: (866) 883-9271 beth@syntiro.org