Today, for the Women’s History Month, we are celebrating this fabulous woman
Meet Carol Marcotte, 70, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother of 4 fantastic children, an awarded educator,
lover of life and a believer of “be the good!”
“I can not do all the good that the world needs. But the world needs all the good that I can do.” Jana Stanfield
Carol was born in Rochester, New Hampshire and lived there for 18 years. After graduating from Spaulding High School, she married and moved to Barrington, New Hampshire. She had two beautiful boys. From there, Carol moved to Lebanon, Maine. She remarried and had a beautiful boy and girl where they resided for 15 years. One of Carol’s dreams was to live at Old Orchard Beach. After graduation from the University of New England, she and her husband bought a home at Old Orchard Beach. Thirty-two years later, Carol still resides there.
Carol is extremely proud of her journey in education. Because she had worked in her children’s schools as a volunteer and later as a substitute teacher she realized her passion was to teach and support students. At 36 years old she went to college. Four years later she received a B.S. in Education at the University of Southern Maine (USM) and was hired immediately at Lebanon Elementary school. Carol knew that education was important for her children and for herself. She wanted to be a good role model. In 1995, she received her M.S. in Education - Instructional Leadership Program and in 1999 her Certificate of Advanced Study in the Educational Leadership Program at USM. After seven years of teaching multiple grades, she felt she could do more as a building administrator.
Carol obtained her first administration job as Teaching Principal in South Gardiner. Her role was twofold: a special education resource room teacher and building administrator; she had not done either of those roles before. The next year she became principal of the school.
Five years later Carol wanted to get closer to home, so she applied for an administrative position in Sanford, a K-3 school. She left South Gardner and became a principal in Sanford. At that point she also had received her Ph.D. in School Administration. Simultaneously, the University of New England (UNE) asked her to teach online Master’s in Education courses as adjunct faculty-she did. She wanted to give more to education though. When she was on one of her numerous trips to St. Marteen, she was looking for a job that could reach many educators and children. She found a Curriculum Director in Saco, Maine. Carol applied and obtained the position. For seven years she was marveled at the work that teachers did in curriculum as they partnered together to bring the best practices to their students in classrooms. As Curriculum Director she worked with seven schools. During her adjunct work, the University of New England informed her that there was an open position for Coordinator of online Master and CAGS program in Education. Carol retired from public education and is still teaching full time at UNE.
Carol is a Senior Teaching Professor at the University of New England in the Education Department. Carol's position entails working with undergraduate students in courses such as Exploring Teaching and Practicum. She also works with student teachers in Maine and New Hampshire as they gain their teaching certification. Carol is Coordinator of the Studies program. She also works with graduate students as an instructor for the online Master’s and CAGS program. She works and guides Maine educators as they obtain their certification as principals or superintendents. She has the pleasure of being a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at UNE. She is also faculty advisor for the Nor'easter Catholic Club and UNE’s Rotaract Club.
When Carol was five years old, her father passed away. Her mother was a single parent while Carol was growing up. They were considered low income. Carol loved school and loved her teachers. She was very shy. When Carol was 16 years old she worked at Davidson Rubber, second shift. When she became a high school senior, she worked at Maybury Shoe, second shift. After graduating from high school, Carol got married. She had two beautiful boys and a wonderful husband. After four years, Carol and her husband divorced. Being married young was a challenge. Carol later remarried and had two children with her husband of 36 years. She worked at General Electric for the first 10 years of marriage, was a stay at home mom for a while and then started college. While going to college, she was also a substitute teacher. Carol tried to have a better life with her family and for herself. She remembered how hard her Mom worked and how challenging it was to bring up a family as a single parent. Trauma is sometimes part of that life. Knowing that she was a “good person” she strived for helping others and supporting those who needed it. She once said to one of her sons, “If I could do it all over again I would either become a lawyer or a doctor. “ That was when she was the principal. His response to her was,” You can still be a doctor mom.” She said, “Oh yeah!” and then she got her Ph.D. As Carol reviews some of her favorite quotes, they allow her to say centered and keep her balanced. They also give her a direction and be there for others. Her yoga practices and meditation support her in this way as well.
In 2010 the Maine Curriculum Leader’s Association acknowledged Carol as Curriculum Leader of the Year in Maine. In addition, Carol was presented with the Friends of UNE award twice. Among her numerous honors, First Lady Barbara Bush presented Carol the Maine Family Literacy Grant in 2006 and 2008. Carol was able to travel to Australia and New Zealand when she was Principal at Margaret Chase Smith School in Sanford, ME. Part of her educational trip was observing teachers in Australian schools conducting Reading Recovery® lessons and Running Records with their students. Carol brought these Marie Clay practices back to her staff.
Carol became a founding Board Member of the Learning Forward New England (formerly New England Staff Development Council), in 2009. Carol has been President and Past President of Learning Forward New England as well as consultant.
She is a previous School Board Chair of Regional School Unit 23 - Old Orchard Beach, ME. Her passion for supporting students is based on educational, physical and mental supports
Carol has recently donated literature to the Santo Domingo Schools and the Kewa Pueblo and Santo Domingo Schools in New Mexico, Johnson County Family Crisis Center in Buffalo, Wyoming and donated children's literature to the as well as bringing children's books to the Player Development program in St. Maarten. After Hurricane Maria and Erma, Carol collected over 2000 pounds of school supplies for St. Maarten Schools. Some materials were sent over in a cargo ship while Carol took three large suitcases of books and materials on a trip there.
Carol has been a member of the Saco Bay Sunset Rotary Club (SBSR) since May 2019. She will be President in July of the Club. In April, Carol will present two workshops at the Rotary District 7780 Assembly about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Sex Human Trafficking Prevention Project.
Carol loves to be able to help people. Being kind is important to her. Providing support and guidance to those who need it. She feels that everyone has strengths and skills that they can use to be successful. As a certified yoga instructor, she tries to show others some meditation practices. Carol loves to travel and has been to 15 countries.
What does she value the most in live?
Carol values her family. She loves her four children, 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild. They do not all live near her so she wishes that she could see the ones that live far so much more. She values the time that she can spend with family near here. Family is important to her. She feels very blessed having the family that she does. Carol also appreciates her friends. Friendships and relationships are what makes the world a better place. She values those that love her.
Advice for other woman:
Carol shouts out to other women…. 'Don’t stop believing in yourself!! Break those chains that might be part of your “old life” or bringing you down! Reach out to your friends when you need support. Be the best that you can be and don’t criticize yourself. We need woman like YOU!'
Here are a few more of Carol's favorite quotes:
"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." -Mother Teresa
"Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are." - Harold S. Kushner
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret mead
"So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great, good fortune." Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“May my heart be kind, my mind fierce, and my spirit brave.” Kate Forsyth
"Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” – Proverbs 17:6
"Father, thank you for the gift of being a Mother." - Anonymous
“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants” - Coco Chanel
*****
Thank you, Carol, for sharing your story and journey with us all!
#whm #womenshistorymonth #womanoftheday #womensupportingwomen #mainephotographer
1 Comments
Mar 29, 2022, 5:23:38 AM
Christine Reilly - .....and I am so fortunate to be close to you, my wonderful neighbor ❤ you are amazing 👏