Hello, my name is Rachel Sugarman. I am a WarriorMama, educator, talent developer, educational consultant, writer, and healer. Since the young age of 11, I’ve known there is something special about working with young children. At Maine College of Art in Portland, I began working as an intern for A Company of Girls and King Middle School’s afterschool program. The reciprocal energy kindled between my students and I made it clear that becoming a professional educator was my path. Since then, I sprinkle creativity like pixie dust through my work with children, teens, and adults all over Maine.
After completing my BFA at Maine College of Art, I attended the University of Southern Maine to acquire my art teaching certificate. I taught visual art for nine years between 2005 and 2014. When the art position moved to part-time, I transitioned to a full-time Gifted and Talented teaching position.
I hold a Master of Education from the University of Maine at Farmington. While working for Wiscasset Middle High School as a gifted and talented teacher, I had many adolescent boys struggling. Many were intentional underachievers, accustomed to chronic boredom in the regular education setting. I wanted to find a way to re-engage them, and other students like them as learners. My thesis research focused on discovering and utilizing specific instructional strategies to increase academic engagement in adolescent boys.
In the public education world, I have taught for the towns of Whitefield, Palermo, Chelsea, Windsor, Augusta, Wiscasset, Falmouth, and Brunswick. I have served as an educator outside of public education in many venues, including Upward Bound at Bowdoin College, Neighborhood Clay, Buker Studio Arts, Waterville Creates, River Arts, Hallowell Clay Works, Common Street Arts, Wavus Camp for Girls, The DaVinci Experience, and Spiral Arts. I hold teaching certificates in Visual Arts (K-12), Gifted Education (K-12), and assistant school administration (K-12).
Throughout my time as an educator in public schools, I have grown exponentially as an educator. My love for teaching extends into my day-to-day life. Any enriching experience I encounter becomes an idea for a new lesson for my students. I am a visual artist, with my right brain hemisphere constantly firing. I am imaginative, a visionary, and a change-maker. I am also detail-oriented, logical, and organized! So, something must be working in my left brain hemisphere, too!
Over the years, I have adapted my teaching model and framework to include STEAM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), Thematic Lesson Planning, Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Maker Education (utilizing makerspaces as a venue for student learning), Anti-Bias Education through Learning for Justice, Growth Mindset, and Odyssey of the Mind problem-solving. As an educator, I build strong and safe learning communities where children feel safe to be who they are, offering a place to explore and develop their talents and strengths. As a result, their confidence develops and grows, elevating their openness to new learning challenges.
After serving 18-plus years in public education, I am embarking on a new journey—a journey where I can continue to invigorate my students' minds without bounds. I can no longer stand by while the traditional public education system places limits on learning with so many children who need more. To provide for these children, I am leaving public education to provide for them through another avenue. The students I serve deserve the chance to reach their full potential. To bridge this gap, I am choreographing an extended day and after-school academic and arts enrichment program for school-age children. Creating change in the public education system is extremely difficult, but I’m sorry to say things aren’t changing anytime soon. There are too many setbacks, and our time needs to be spent on more important things. Our children need stimulating learning experiences now! My program for your children, Miss Sugarman's School for Extraordinary Children, will engage students in interdisciplinary academic and arts enrichment, which includes applicable creative problem-solving, individual talent development, STEAM, and PBL learning activities. Children's interests, strengths, and areas for growth will shape what we explore academically and socially. Developing these new skills will strengthen their foundation for learning fostered in the home and traditional school environment. Imagine how empowered and invigorated your child will feel when they can learn at their own pace and ability level! All of us want our children to be whole and happy! Why not let them reach for the stars among like-minded peers now?
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