Donation supports group connecting students with Maine businesses

Lanet Anthony, left, RSU 14's Director of Community 
Connections, accepts a donation of $500 from Diana Doiron,
Life and Career Ready Specialist at the Maine Department
of Education and Cary Olson Cartwright, Assistant
Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility at UNUM
to help Windham and Raymond students explore
non-traditional learning experiences. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

By Elizabeth Richards

As the Director of Community Connections for RSU 14, Lanet Anthony helps students explore non-traditional learning experiences.  The Maine Community Coordinators Collaborative (Maine C3) connects Anthony with others in similar roles so she can do her job more effectively.

Diana Doiron, Life and Career Ready Specialist at the Maine Department of Education recently received a donation of $500 from UNUM due to participation in the Education Leaders Experience through Educate Maine. 

This year-long program, Anthony said, brings superintendents, principals, and other education leaders from across the state together to learn about local business economies, such as lobstering, ship building, broccoli farming and more. 

The goal, Anthony said, is to connect school leaders with commerce and careers available right here in Maine.

UNUM donated $500 to each participant to use in their schools.  Because Doiron does not work for a school district, she chose to donate the money to a group she was connected to that works within schools, “and that’s C3,” Anthony said. 

“The Maine Community Coordinators Collaborative’s (Maine C3) entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to ensuring every student in Maine has access to career exploration is clearly evident in the scope of the statewide ME Virtual Career Fair that Maine C3 is hosting in partnership with ACTEM and Educate Maine,” Doiron said. “This kind of commitment aligns well with the mission of both the Educator Leaders Experience and the intent behind the charitable gift from Cary Olson Cartwright, Assistant VP, Corporate Social Responsibility at UNUM.”

Members of Maine C3 are working in school districts with students participating in Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO). 

“Anything that has students learning outside of the classroom or brings experiences outside of the traditional classroom into the schools is what people in these roles are doing,” Anthony said.

In RSU 14, Anthony said, she brings speakers to schools, brings students to visit businesses, and creates individualized courses, among other things. 

“There’s people in similar roles all over the state. Most of us are the only person in our role in the district. C3 is a chance for a bunch of people who have similar roles to get together and learn from each other,” she said. The group offers professional development opportunities, conversations about what is and isn’t working, and shares a wealth of resources.  For instance, the group can be very helpful, Anthony said, in finding a connection for students with highly specific interests.

While positions like hers are not standard for districts across the state, Anthony said, they’re growing exponentially right now.

“I expect the number of schools with an ELO coordinator or something like my position will grow significantly in the next year.” 

The donation will be used to either fund scholarships for the Maine Virtual Career Fair that Maine C3 is hosting in partnership with ACTEM and Educate Maine to help schools who can’t afford the small fee, or to fund professional development activities.

Anthony said that people in ELO roles are eager to connect with anyone interested in being involved in the schools.  “Anyone who wants to be engaged, we would love to hear from them,” she said. <