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Wade Receives Maine Agriculture in the Classroom 2012 Teacher of the Year Award

January 26, 2012

Contact: Willie Grenier
207-287-5522

AUGUSTA—Erik Wade, Hope Elementary School science and mathematics teacher, has been named the 2012 Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Teacher of the Year. The award was presented to Wade by Maine Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb, on January 11 at the 71st Annual Maine Agricultural Trades Show in Augusta.

Wade, a firm believer in learning through doing, received the award for his work with students in developing a school-wide composting program and integrating a garden and greenhouse into the school curriculum. As part of the garden project, his students designed a greenhouse and raised beds, and then planted a variety of vegetables and flowers. In conjunction with this project, the entire school studied various aspects of agriculture, including pollination, plant systems, botany, and the water cycle. Parents were also involved, to provide support for the program.

In June, Wade will be honored at the National AITC Conference in Loveland, Colorado, with award-winners from other states. For more information on Wade, the award, and MAITC go to http://www.maineagintheclassroom.org/.

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC), located in the Maine Department of Agriculture, is a grassroots program coordinated by the US Department of Agriculture. MAITC’s mission is to promote the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the general public.

Contact: Willie Grenier, maitca@maine.gov, 207-287-5522

Captions for accompanying photographs

Photo 1 (left to right): Hope Elementary School teacher, Eric Wade, receives the 2012 Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Award from Maine Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb, on January 11, at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show.

Photo 2: The Hope School Garden Committee working at the Hope Elementary School greenhouse and community garden.

Related Files

Photo 1