2002 Maine Teacher of the Year
Mr. Lancia teaches all subjects to grade two students at Saccarappa Primary School in Westbrook, Maine.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
"I believe that all students can and will learn at high levels of proficiency when given exceptional instruction. Students must always be paramount in any vision of teaching and teachers must be inquisitive learners, keen observers and compassionate listeners in order to maintain this vision of excellence. Children must have choices in their work, meaningful time to complete it and opportunities to share their knowledge in a variety of ways."

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
"I provide a balance between direct instruction and independent practice while adhering to the three principals of choice, time and opportunities to share. My standards are high, but individually appropriate as I recognize the developmental nature of learning."

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
"My greatest accomplishment is when a seven-year-old joyfully announces, "I wrote a book today!" or when he struggles through a challenging math solution and shouts, "I did it!" It's when a parent shares that her child hated to read until she came to my class or when a graduating senior thanks me for all the work I did and for never giving up. Teaching is its own pride and its own reward."

What's the most critical issue facing educators today and what do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
"As educators face a grave shortage of teachers, a temptation to compromise the criteria established to qualify candidates for teaching positions grows. At the same time, effective teachers are facing challenges that are driving them out of teaching and into more lucrative careers. The issue can be resolved through professional support and learning. By developing supportive induction programs that partner novice and veteran teachers, exceptional teachers would be created and retained."

Inspirational thought:
"You may be the most important teacher in a student's life. You may be the one he remembers as making a difference. Your time with any student may be the most significant period in his life. Don't complain about the past and don't worry about the future. Your work in the present is what matters."