AICE Instructors

Our Instructors

Marion Austin holds a M.Ed from Boston University and a B.A. in Psychology from Wheaton College (Massachusetts), and has taught in a variety of settings in the world of business and public school for over 20 years. Ms. Austin is noted for her ability to take complicated information and bringing clarity about it to those she teaches. Marion is skilled at teaching leadership skills, team building, and communication. Further, she is certified to administer the Myers-Briggs personality instrument. Marion has worked in different capacities at the Deer Isle Stonington Schools K-12. Her role in AICE begins by helping educators to "decode" the Response to Intervention (RTI) requirements and best practices. RTI must be implemented in all Maine School Districts by July 1, 2010.

Melody Christensen, Director of AICE, was a classroom teacher for many years, has taught at all grade levels. Her experience includes working with students with exceptionalities both in the United States and England. As Director of the American Institute for Creative Education, Melody instructs classes in exceptionalities, literature, writing and assessment.

Clayton Carkin graduated from the University of Maine in 1973 with a B.S. in Science Education and later completed his Master's Degree. Since graduation he has taught 6th grade science at the Freeport Middle School (Maine). Using appropriate science teaching theories and techniques , Clay puts into practice the philosophy of involving students with hands-on motivational activities. Clay has taught various science workshops from aviation to whales and has received numerous awards and honors for innovative science teaching. Clay Carkin holds a K - 12 teaching certificate.

Crystal Found graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance. After working in the business world, Crystal returned to Eastern Connecticut State University, where she focused in the dynamic studies of educational philosophy, learning theories, and elementary education. Upon earning her Master’s degree in Education at the University, Crystal taught in Connecticut, and subsequently moved to Maine. She currently teaches science to fourth graders, and offers science, math, and reading educational courses to AICE students.

Victor N. LaPrade brings rich and varied life experiences from military service, the world of business, academic preparation, and pedagogical experience when he teaches mathematics education courses for AICE. Victor serves as a member of math department at Nokomis Regional High School. His undergraduate education includes an Associate of Science degree in Applied Electronics and Computer Technology from Kennebec Valley Technical College, a B.A. in Mathematics with a concentration in computer science from the University of Maine at Farmington, and a Master of Arts in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from the University of Phoenix. He also brings to the AICE classroom a strong understanding and application of Maine Learning Results, Advanced Placement teaching, special education, and behaviorally-challenged students.

Catherine Ring has been principal of the Deer Isle-Stonington K-8 School since 2003 to 2009. She supervised a staff of 60 in a school with strategic plan priorities in Literacy, the Arts, and Technology. Catherine is a certified K-12 Visual Arts and General Elementary Teacher and has taught Art for 20 years. For nine of those years, she also co-produced and directed musical theater for elementary students.

Catherine received her M.A. degree from Vermont College of Norwich University in 1992. For her thesis, entitled “Education and the Arts, Toward Creative Intelligences," she researched the role of the arts in learning. In her position as Visual Arts teacher in Vermont, Catherine worked closely with classroom teachers, helping them to integrate visual arts into their regular curricula. She is the recipient of two awards: “Excellence in Teaching about Asia” from the University of Vermont following an exchange trip to China, and for her work on Women’s History "A Women's Place is in the Curriculum," through the American Association of University Women.

Prior to her work in public education, Catherine was an arts administrator for the South Carolina Arts Commission, a film festival coordinator in Toronto, a researcher at TV Ontario, Director of an after school program and a resource coordinator for Vermont College’s Early Childhood program. In the last 3 years as principal, Catherine has represented the school district in the Kennedy Center's National Partnership program, which continues to bring high quality artists into the school to provide professional development to classroom teachers in arts integration. This partnership with the Stonington Opera House and the Kennedy Center (the only one currently in Maine) is a national model for schools interested in making learning engaging for all students.

Elaine Tselikis is an independent teaching artist and consultant, and also serves as a public relations and educational outreach professional for a statewide nonprofit organization. After teaching in the public schools, she created her original Paint Your Heart Out program and ran a studio of the same name in Greater Portland. In 2008, she received a Harward Center Community Partnership Grant from Bates College and adapted her Paint Your Heart Out program into a successful course for people undergoing treatment through the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer, Hope and Healing. Elaine holds a professional Maine teaching certificate in Art Education and a Master’s Degree in Adult Education. She designs and teaches innovative programs in fine art, interdisciplinary learning and creative enhancement in many venues, including: Maine College of Art Continuing Studies, Bates College, the University of Southern Maine Professional Development Center, Southern Maine Community College, the Farnsworth Museum and adult education programs. Her book Instant Lesson Plans for Substitute Art Teachers was distributed by J. Weston Walch in the U.S. and U.K. Her photographic work has been exhibited nationally.

Stephen York, Dean of Instruction at AICE, earned his B.A. degree from Norwich University (Vermont College) with a focus on education and liberal studies, and was awarded the M.Div. from the Starr King School, a consortium member of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. His 90 semester hours of graduate work focused on an interdisciplinary study of education and the humanities. He has done additional studies in special education. An experienced teacher in public and private school classrooms in New England, Mr. York also serves as Graduate Adjunct Faculty in Education at the Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. http://www.plymouth.edu/graduate/faculty/individuals/slyork.html

This webpage was last updated on June 6, 2010 .