Heather King has a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in English and has completed Doctoral level courses in Educational Leadership. Heather is currently the Head of School at Maine Arts Academy, having a passion for the arts. Heather has held several teaching roles that span from elementary grades, high school through college level. Her recent positions include dean of students, high school teacher, team Leader of online faculty at Southern New Hampshire University, English and Liberal Arts adjunct faculty at Southern New Hampshire University and adjunct faculty of English at Allegany College of Maryland and Purdue University. Heather has been an education keynote guest speaker for the state prison system in Pennsylvania, has worked with the governor on supporting families on welfare, presented at writing workshops throughout the Northeast and is a published author of Peace of Trash.
Heather lives in Central Maine with her husband and her three grown children. She enjoys hiking, reading, writing, attending arts events, and spending time with her family.
Jasen Richardson
Dean of Students, Chair of Academics,
Department of English, Department of Film Studies
Mr. Richardson received his Bachelor of Arts in English at Middle Tennessee State University, where he also minored in film studies and secondary education, and his Master of Arts in English at Southern New Hampshire University. Also, he is licensed to teach 7-12 English in the state of Maine and is currently working on a Master of Humanities in Film Studies at Tiffin University.
He taught 8th grade English and directed the middle school drama department for seven years in Tennessee. He then began his career at Maine Arts Academy in 2018 and is currently teaching English 3, Introduction to Film Studies, Film Genre and Theory, and two college English courses (ENG 101 and 102W) through UMA.
Mr. Richardson is also the testing liaison for the school and the student council advisor. Moreover, he is thoroughly excited about his new roles of Dean of Students and Academic Chair: He has an enormous love for Maine Arts Academy and is honored to be a part of helping advance the school's culture in a positive direction.
Besides teaching, his other passions include his family (especially his sons, his daughter, and his fiancée), his friends, traveling, going to concerts, most music (especially The Grateful Dead and Ween), and film and video production.
Gloriana Alvarada
Department of World Language
Gloriana is excited to join us as our Spanish teacher. She is a passionate language learner, fully bilingual in English and Spanish, intermediate level in Chinese, and novice high in Italian.
She was born and raised in Costa Rica. She moved to China in 2014 with her two kids and husband for seven years, where she taught English to ESL students from ages 3- 20 through music, storytelling, reading, nature, gardening, and more.
Being a language learner herself, she understands the process of language acquisition, where the cognitive aspect occurs accompanied by emotions, such as frustration, embarrassment, ambiguity, and the inability to fully express in a second or third language during the learning process.
She has a TESOL certificate and is currently working on her Bachelor's Degree through UoPeople.
She enjoys hiking, gardening, playing the ukulele, playing with her kids, reading, doing crafts, learning new languages, and walking dogs in her free time.
Nick Archibald
Department of Social Studies
Nick Archibald is a 2017 Colby College graduate and History teacher at Maine Arts Academy. He is currently teaching US History, Honors Latin American History and Politics, and Current Events. Nick lives in Hallowell with his dog, Meera, and enjoys hiking, reading, and watching movies. If he's not walking his dog, he is probably planning lessons. "Kindness is always an option."
Michael Cloutier
Department of Special Education
Acadia Chartier
Student Support Coordinator
Acadia Chartier joins us as an administrative assistant to the guidance department. Acadia is extremely detail orientated which lends itself well for working on transcripts and scheduling. Acadia brings experience assisting in an office setting and with children. She also brings management experience in inventory and logistics. She is currently working on her bachelor's degree at the University of Maine.
Acadia is passionate about the arts. She is a former dancer and has a love and appreciation for music and photography. She enjoys yoga, hiking, and quality time at home with her cat, Clementine.
Jeffrey Douthwright
Department of Mathematics
Jeffrey Douthwright is a 2021 cum laude graduate from Thomas College, majoring in Secondary Education focused in Mathematics. He is currently teaching mathematics for Maine Arts Academy. Jeff moved from Massachusetts in 2005 and has lived in central Maine since then.
Coming from a family of educators, Jeff is looking to find a place to start his career and contribute to the world of educating younger generations. He was a member of his local high school band, playing the Alto Saxophone for 6 years, but he has focused on his education since finishing high school. When he isn't in school, he's often with his family at the home of his parents, brother, sister, and childhood cats.
Although he is new to the field of education and still learning much about being a teacher, he's eager to create a classroom that can better help students understand mathematics and create a community among his students.
Mindy Güngör
Department of Social Studies
Mindy claims she is a “jack of all trades who is a master of absolutely none,” but we heard she just started and finished her Master of Science in Education at USM this past year, immediately following surgery intended to mitigate the “40-year headache.” Against all odds, (and aside mild bragging that her brain is bigger than yours), removal of part of her skull and top vertebra proved well-worth the risk, and she is primed to return to humanities; her original field of passion.
With a B.A. in Geography/Anthropology, Mindy also has certifications or experience supporting students from many various walks, including Pre-K, Special Education, Literacy, Drama, English as Foreign / Second Language, and even spent a year teaching math; which she will tell you she never (in a “bazillion” years!) suspected to have enjoyed so thoroughly.
Mindy is committed to social justice, to inspiring lifelong learning in her students, and embraces diversity as a cardinal asset to a classroom wherefore “not one of us is smarter than all of us combined.” She recently participated in Safe Zone certification, teaches English as a second language to adults in her free time, and her future plans include returning to Turkey to teach English to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. For fun, she binges on Star Trek, rearranges her house plants, and participates in Aqua-kickboxing at the YWCA as part of her continued path toward recovery.
She lives with her 2 children, husband, and dog, Stellaluna.
Gregory Judd
Department of Music
Gregory is excited to be working at this Academy with many inspiring opportunities. Mr. Judd graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in Music Education, while there he focused on Voice. Gregory was a part of the USM Chamber Singers and went on the 2015 European Tour in Croatia and Slovenia. Since graduation, he also has worked with multiple community theaters, performing in shows such as The Music Man, Mamma Mia, Shrek, Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party, and more. His most proud theater achievement is being in the Maine Premiere of Carrie: The Musical.
Recently, Gregory was seen teaching English in Japan in 2019-2020, learning about other cultures and gaining new experiences.
Christopher Maloney, PHD
Department of Science
Dr. Christopher Maloney graduated from Swarthmore College with a B.A., Harvard University Extension with a premedical diploma, and received his doctorate as a Naturopathic Doctor at the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon in 2002. After a decade of family practice in Portland and Augusta, Dr. Maloney was diagnosed with colon cancer and cut back on his office hours to dedicate himself to writing books to help others.
He joined the MeAA community in 2019 and is thrilled to be able to bring decades of his research and study in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics to the students. The new Maine Science standards enacted in April of 2019 focus on integration and critical thinking between the different disciplines, and Dr. Maloney is looking forward to engaging our brilliant students on the use of science in their lives.
RJ Miller
Department of Music
Long a fixture on the NYC and European jazz/experimental scenes, RJ has performed and recorded with artists like George Garzone, Ben Street, Bill McHenry, Eric Revis, Hugo Rasmussen, Meshell N'degeocello, Larry Grenadier, Jorge Rossy, and Aaron Parks to name a few. RJ's education has been primarily through private instruction from masters like Ornette Coleman, Frank Wess, Masabumi Kikuchi, Juini Booth, Reggie Workman, Billy Hart, Steve Grover, Jeff Williams and Jeff Hirshfield.
He is best known for his work on albums like "Ben Entrada La Nit," "Alive in Japan," "Ronald's Rhythm," "RJ Miller Trio," "Plainville," If the Past Seems So Bright," "Memories of Days Gone By," "Intuition," "Sinker," "Wicca," "Dreams in Apartments," and "Horses." See more on R.J. below:
Arron Richard
Bookkeeper
Rebecca Singer
Title 1
Rebecca attended the University of Maine at Augusta, graduating with a BA in English and later working towards teaching certifications in both English and Music. During her time at UMA, Rebecca worked in the Writing Lab as an English Tutor. While homeschooling her son, she worked part-time as a Reading Tutor and a Substitute Teacher. Before coming to MEAA she was working as a Special Educational Technician.
Devoted to community theater, Rebecca has performed in musicals at the Waterville Opera House, Theater at Monmouth, Gaslight Theater, and the Lewiston/Auburn Community Little Theater. She's been involved with Rocky for Equality since 2014, a small theater troupe that has donated proceeds to various organizations and causes such as EqualityME and the Augusta Colonial Theater. She is on the board of directors for Gaslight Theater and co-directs the drama club at Hall-Dale High School.
Rebecca speaks French and has studied Spanish, Japanese, Croatian and ASL. She spent six years in the U.S. Navy, during which time she traveled extensively. She is the Vice President of Kennebec Valley Roller Derby and the lead singer of a local rock band. Rebecca is proudly supported and adored by her husband, 14-year-old son, and their three lovely cats.
Stacey Veilleux
Department of English, Department of Special Education
Stacey Veilleux received her Bachelor of Arts in English and World Literature from New England College in Henniker, New Hampshire. It took a few years for her to discover her love of teaching but she eventually found it at MeAA. Stacey has been a part of the MeAA family since the school opened, her daughter being amongst the first group of students to attend in its inaugural year. Two years later, she became a member of the staff and has seen her role grow and change each year. She currently teaches Writing Lab and Transition Humanities in addition to being a part of the Special Ed team.
Besides teaching, her interests include reading, writing, exploring nature, traveling, live music, and spending time with friends and family. Her favorite travel destination is going to see her daughter, Maya, who is attending university in London, England.
Rachel Merrill
Principal
Rachel graduated from Maine Maritime Academy with a bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science and an unlimited tonnage United States Coast Guard Third Mate’s License. While in the Merchant Marine, she attained her USCG First Class Pilot’s License for Great Lakes Waters. She has been teaching and working with high school students for twelve years and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Secondary Education.
Rachel lives in central Maine with her family. She enjoys renovating, developing, and managing real estate. Nurturing a lifelong love for sports, she also officiates high school soccer and basketball.
Jeri Pitcher
Chair of Arts, Department of Theatre
Jeri is a teaching artist, theater director, playwright, actor, and Adjunct Theater Professor at The University of Maine at Augusta where she created both the UMA Interactive Theater and CREATED EQUAL Theater Programs.
As a teaching artist, Jeri can be found on the Teaching Artist roster for both the Maine Arts Commission and the Maine Alliance for Arts Education. Jeri has completed well over 100 theater residencies, creating original theater in Maine schools in her 25+ years of experience, from York to Caribou and Eastport to Bethel, ME.
Jeri worked as a company member at The Theater At Monmouth, an Equity repertory company, for 13 years and became TAM's Associate Artistic Director. TAM directing favorites include: Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, Measure for Measure, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The Tempest, The Grapes of Wrath, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Her play, Chasin' Night Birds won the New England Playwright's award and was produced in NYC at Muse of Fire's Sirens Festival.
Jeri received a BFA in Acting and Directing from the University of Bridgeport (CT). Before moving to Maine, she toured throughout the United States with the East West Fusion Theater, a company dedicated to bringing Asian masters to the US to create fusion productions with American theater artists.
Jill Alves
Business Manager
Hannah Berry
Department of Dance
Miss Hannah Berry began her dance training at the age of 2 throughout Maine. During her childhood, she performed in countless theatre and dance productions including shows produced by Lakewood Theatre, Bossov Ballet Theatre, and The Moscow Ballet. Through her mentorship with Mr Brad Adams beginning in 2011 she gained experience teaching students of all ages and abilities and operating a dance studio and competition team. She has continued her education attending many dance workshops, conventions and events such as Dance Teacher Expo in NYC and Dance Masters of America Teacher Training School. She is certified in Modules 1 and 2 of Acrobatic Arts. Miss Hannah currently serves as Treasurer on the board for the Maine Dance Teachers Club. Focusing on the classical foundations of dance, Miss Hannah Berry loves seeing the growth in her dancers physical capabilities as well as their growth as confident and capable human beings.
Russ Cox
Department of Visual Arts
Russ Cox was raised by a pack of crazed hillbillies in the backwoods of Tennessee. Without much in the way of modern conveniences, like television or running water, he spent his time drawing, whittling, and throwing dirt clods at his cousins. With the bulk of his life spent in Pennsylvania, he met his wife; became a graphic designer; played in punk, alternative, and surf bands; had two kids; and started his own illustration studio, Smiling Otis Studio (named after one of their enormous cats).
Russ creates his art using digital software, primarily Clip Studio and other digital tools. He works in traditional mediums, often with a mixture of paper, pencil, pen & ink, gouache, and watercolor.
Russ lives in Maine with his wife and three cats.
Jason Graves
Department of Science, Department of Mathematics
Jason comes to Maine Arts Academy after spending over 25 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, primarily in Seattle, WA. There he worked primarily in the field of laboratory robotics and automation development in support of autoimmune disease research and a number of different cancer therapies. Jason is excited to now apply his years of experience combined with his passion for science and math to helping to educate the students at MeAA. Jason has a BS in Chemistry from Union College in Schenectady, NY and an MS in Chemistry from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.
Jason and his wife recently settled in Maine after deciding to return to New England where they are both from (he from VT, she from NH). They are still searching for their "forever home" in the state of Maine along with their dog and two cats. They are also glad to be back close to Boston where they can go and watch the Red Sox and Celtics at home instead of among hordes of rival fans.
Peter Herman
Department of Music
Peter Herman graduated with a bachelor's degree from the music program at the University of Maine at Augusta in 2014 and has crossed paths with many amazing musicians, teachers, and mentors. He has been referred to many times as a guitar virtuoso and performs at venues such as the Port City Blue, Portland Maine’s best jazz venue for several years. Maine jazz great Brad Terry, 77, describes Herman as “a phenomenon,”
Herman shares his love and expertise of guitar with students at Maine Arts Academy as the guitar teacher.
Stacy Lockhart
Food Service Manager
Stacy joined the MeAA family in the Fall of 2019. She is a lifelong resident of Kennebec County, Maine. She is a graduate of Erskine Academy and Aveda Institute (formerly Capilo Institute) and was a licensed esthetician for 8 years. Since starting her working career, she has been in the food service industry.
In Stacy’s free time she enjoys making acrylic tumblers and spending time with her husband and 2 children, as well as her 2 4-legged children Ruby and Roxy, her beagles. Stacy and her family enjoy camping in the White Mountains and the North Woods of Maine.
Jacob Luce
Department of Special Education
Mr. Luce graduated from The University of Maine at Augusta with a BMus in Audio Engineering and Music Performance, with a minor in Psychology and Photography, in 2014. He worked from 2014-2019 as a full-time Professional photographer, working at notable places like Fenway Park and on cruise ships. He also traveled up and down New England, photographing families and schools.
Upon leaving photography full-time, Mr. Luce moved back to Maine in 2019, and started working in education as an Ed Tech III in Special Education. After 2 years, he joined MeAA in 2021, as a full time teacher. He is excited to help the students learn and provide support to students, as well as teach photography; expanding the students minds to see the world through a lens, and the beauty of perception.
Diane Manter
Admissions Director
Ms. Manter has been with MeAA since Fall 2016. She has years of experience in the municipal and education fields, having worked for the Towns of Hamilton and Wenham, MA, and the Pentucket School District, MA., as well as having experience in banking and construction. She is a graduate of Dean College in Franklin MA with a degree in Business Administration.
Diane has a very strong relationship with the Snow Pond campus as her grandfather helped build many of the original practice buildings on the property for the New England Music Camp and her father helped paint the famed Bowl In the Pines amphitheater as a young man. Although raised in Massachusetts, she's spent a great deal of time on the lake and has family living locally, so she said that moving to Sidney and coming to work at MeAA was like coming home. During her time off she enjoys spending time on the lake with her son, extended family and friends. She is a strong supporter of the Children's Tumor Foundation, NF research and enjoys making belt buckles, riding horses, motorcycles and snowmobiles.
Robert Pycior
Department of Music
Margaret Russell
Department of Visual Arts
Keenan Soule
Department of English
Keenan Soule is a recent Honors graduate from the University of Maine at Orono. He double majored in English (with a concentration in Creative Writing and Poetry) and Secondary Education(with a concentration in English Education). He is a lifelong Maine resident and lifelong learner who (surprise, surprise) loves reading and writing. Keenan teaches Creative Writing, English 1, English 4, and Reading.
Tina Spencer
Special Education Coordinator
Although born in Connecticut, Mrs. Spencer was raised in Maine and graduated from Winslow High School. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, Mrs. Spencer earned her bachelor's degree from Marywood University, located in Scranton, PA. She majored in elementary and special education; later she received her MS English teaching license. She taught special education in numerous settings, as well as 7th grade Language Arts as a general education teacher.
Mrs. Spencer has been married for 30 years and has four grown children and a granddaughter. She enjoys many activities which include sewing, painting, camping, and traveling