AEA Educators of 2026 
and the Martin Mackey Scholarship Awardees  

          CONGRATULATIONS to our 2026 Awardees:

Kathleen (Kaity) Getchell - The Learning Center at Frank Jewett (Bonny Eagle High School)

    Kathleen develops classes for students who need specialized learning to succeed, fills in at a moment's notice,         meets every student where they need to be met every day, and raises them as high as they can go every time she works with them. She coordinates learning experiences via trips, hands on activities, school wide opportunities, and collaborates with school personnel to provide post secondary opportunities. Kaity has given her heart and soul to this program for 16 years. She has organized and led countless excursions with students, giving them the chance for team building and life experiences many of them would not have had without this program.Additionally, she is a family liaison for students who need extra care, food, rides, or just a listening ear when times get a little rough or a student loses track of their high school goals. She, along with the social worker, is the communication hub and resource coordinator for students and families connected to this program.She spends countless hours meeting with students to make plans for academic credit fulfillment, graduation requirements- to make sure they got their prom tickets, yearbooks, senior banquet tickets, Homecoming tickets, and have gotten all information from the sending high school since they aren't physically in the same building so that students still feel they are a part of their whole school community.

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Tristen Hinkle - Marti Stevens Learning Center, MSAD54Tristen has worked endlessly to shape the alternative education program in Skowhegan. Tristen is absolutely dedicated to the success of her students. She takes the time to sit with students when they need her, whether it's to talk or to help in an academic area. Tristen does everything she can to make community connections, and engage the disengaged with relevant classroom speakers, field trips, and other out of the classroom experiences. When behaviors occur, Tristen uses trauma informed practices and maintains a calm demeanor. Additionally, she supports her fellow alt educators with her tireless energy and solution oriented approach. Tristen is a constant advocate for the Marti Stevens Learning Center staff and students within the district and wider community. And she is passionate about keeping up to date with important and meaningful professional developments and sharing her knowledge with other educators in order to best support at-promise students. _________________________________________________________________________________

Heather Whitaker - Gorham Middle School

Heather embraces her work as an Alt Ed educator with joy and compassion. She is the example of an alternative educator that you want every aspiring alt. ed student to look to for guidance, reassurance, and passion. Her innovative ideas connect students to local resources and serve as an exemplar across Maine. Aside from being the amazing educator that she is, Heather energetically connects other educators to the communities that surround them. Her extensive body of work also includes her work with Educate Maine as part of the Design Team, designing and implementing high quality access to PD across Maine for all educators to partake in. Heather is a shining example of success and what student achievement can look like when a faithful educator stands by, behind, and in front of their students. Her commitment to other educators is also evident in her involvement with MCSTOYA, Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association, elevating the work of all those that serve in education in Maine. We are all better people for Heather's tireless work.