The Marcia Lovell Awards are awarded annually to eight practitioners, representing the eight Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Districts, who embody the spirit and zest for life for which Marcia was known and have shown a commitment to the ideals that Marcia held so dear.
Please join us in congratulating the winners of this year's Marcia Lovell Awards:
District 1: Melisa Elson, Family Child Care
District 2: Leslie Hayes, Town of Bridgton
District 3: Katie Connors, Western Maine Center for Children
District 4: Eva Lowerre, Waterman Community Laugh and Learn Preschool
District 5: Jennifer Stevens, Happy Days Child Care and Learning Center
District 6: Justin Ouellette, Watch Me Shine Developmental Preschool
District 7: Lauren Remington, St. Croix Regional Technical Center CTE
District 8: Angeleia Kummer, Little Learners Child Care Preschool
Marcia Lovell Award Winner, Lauren Remington
What words of wisdom or advice would you give someone starting out in the field?
Some words of wisdom I would give someone starting out in the field is to learn with the children. Being curious and modeling statements such as ‘I wonder, or what if ’ shows the children you don’t know everything and you are there to learn with them. The other most important things are to be positive, love what you do, know you are not alone, and take care of yourself.
Is there a favorite quote about children or education?
Maria Montessori once said,
"The goal of Early Childhood Education should be to activate the child's own natural desire to learn."
What made you choose a career in ECE?
Ever since I was a young girl I had a dream of becoming a teacher. You could find me helping out in the church nursery, participating in the babysitting club, or helping out in the local community for families in the summer. I was always being told you are such a natural with kids and I loved that I felt confident in my work when it came to providing for children and their families.
When I was in college I was also asked the question of what made me choose a career in ECE and found my reason had changed. As I grew in the field and gained more experience I found that it wasn’t just about feeling confident in my work but because I loved to watch children learn and thrive. It's incredibly rewarding to see a little one build a tower with blocks, complete their first puzzle, learn to draw, or laugh with joy as I read a story. As an ECE instructor, I have a front-row seat to all those "I can do it!" moments.
When thinking about this question as the years go on, I find myself often reflecting on this question. I find there isn’t just one answer for me and there isn’t just one time in my life I can say I choose the career in ECE because it’s a career I continue to choose every morning I wake up. I realize that as the years change so does my answer and that because it’s a career that is ever-changing, but the one thing that will never change is my love for working with young children.
What are you most proud of in your career?
When reflecting on my career I can say without hesitation I am most proud of my students. When I started at SCRTC 9 years ago the program had been closed for two years and I was able to start with a blank canvas. In those 9 years, a lot has changed but those changes have come from the motivation my students have given me. No matter if they are current students or former students they have shown up time after time eager to learn and make a difference in our community. I have added BHP into our course work, I have worked on creating 3 concurrent agreements with Washington County Community College, I have also added in 2 concurrent agreements with the University of Maine in Farmington, we have Hosted multiple Teddy Bear clinics, we have volunteered in the Witch Festival in Eastport, and we have volunteered in the Hokey Pokey fair and the students accepted and excelled in these changes with a smile on their face every time. Without my students and their readiness to enter the workforce and wanting to always be one step ahead none of these changes would have been possible.
What are your goals?
My goal is to create an environment where both children and my high school students feel safe and thrive. I want them to look forward to coming to school, explore their interests, and succeed. I currently serve on a Maine CTE grant advisory board, where we aim to bridge MRTQ credentials and CTE Early Childhood programs, ensuring our students have the best opportunities for success upon leaving the classroom and entering the workforce so they are able to provide the best care of our young children on the community.
Interview originally published in Maine Roads to Quality SHORTcuts newsletter on August 28, 2024