To the editor:
Retirement – a passage in time – gives one an opportunity to enjoy personal pursuits and leave behind the time spent in professional pursuits. Retirement is often a personal goal, yet this goal affects others. The list of teachers retiring from SAD 1 reflects many, many years of service to the students of this district, not only service but influences that possibly effected changes in personal goals, lifestyles, and attitudes. Each year the district loses some of its heart. Others step up to the plate and the cycle continues. Members of the community often remember the retiring teachers with gratitude and affection and pass the wisdom gleaned from them on to their own children.
Having spent 36 years in the SAD 1 system, I enjoyed working with many teachers and staff members. I learned the value of career and technical education to individuals and to the community. Jim Ouellette, retiring Building Trades instructor at the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center, was my co-worker for over 20 of those 36 years. His students had a unique opportunity to learn professional carpentry skills that have launched the careers of many in this and neighboring communities; but most importantly, Jim’s students learned what is meant by the term “professional integrity” because Jim Ouellette exemplifies professional integrity.
Many local groups benefited from the skills of PIRCTC’s Building Trades students under Jim’s watchful eye – the garage at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the new roof at the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce Building, the beautiful viewing area at the SAD 1 School Farm’s Cider Facility as well as the construction and insulation of that building, outbuildings at the Presque Isle Golf Course and Maine Winter Sports facilities to name a few. Jim ‘s live work experiences provided opportunities for planning, estimating materials costs, and communication with members of the community involved in these projects. A strong proponent of live work, Jim searched for projects that would allow his students to use their skills in different areas of carpentry.
Through Jim’s work with the Make A Wish Foundation and local charitable organizations, PIRCTC’s Building Trades students learned what it means to give back to a community, a lesson they will carry with them through life. His leadership in the Skills USA organization provided career and technical students at PIRCTC an opportunity to showcase their craftsmanship competitively. This year students in various CTE programs brought home six Gold medals, three Silver medals and five Bronze medals from the 2009 State Skills competition and will test their skills nationally at the 45th annual Leadership and Skills Conference in Kansas City, June 21-26.
Speaking on behalf of Jim’s students, former and present, and his many friends in career and technical education circles in Presque Isle, Aroostook County, statewide and nationally, we wish him health and happiness in his retirement. Thank you for your professionalism, leadership and guidance to so many area young adults.
PI Regional Career and Technical Center
