Fort Fairfield post pulls Kaleta back to County
FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — John Kaleta, who taught biology for many years in Fort Kent, has spent the summer “getting the pulse” of Fort Fairfield Middle-High School.
The Eagle Lake resident became the school’s new principal effective July 1. He replaces Tanya Belanger, who accepted a position out of state.
“During my career, I’ve done a lot of coaching — skiing, cross country running, and was even the chess club adviser, so I had a lot of dealings with Fort Fairfield over the years,” said Kaleta, 51. “I always thought it would be a nice place to work. It just seemed that everything was always run professionally, the people were always very friendly, and everyone had a lot of pride in the school.
“I used to do a lot of running and competed in races during the Maine Potato Blossom Festival, and the town always seemed to have a lot of spirit … very similar to Fort Kent in a lot of ways,” he said. “I really felt it would be a nice fit for me, and was fortunate enough to get this position.”
Originally from Shelton, Conn., Kaleta attended the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
“My Dad used to fish in the Rangeley region a lot, and I came with him once and fell in love with the state,” he said. “When I was looking for colleges, I happened to meet someone from UMFK at a college fair. She said, ‘You fill out this application right now and I’ll waive your entry fee.’ Within a week I was accepted and that’s how I ended up in Maine.”
Kaleta received his bachelor of science degree in environmental studies in 1985.
“I always had a love for life sciences in general; living things really amaze me,” he said. “When I went to college I was more into the plant aspect and ecology. I later was accepted to the University of Connecticut for a master’s program in ecology, and I wasn’t sure what to do as I had begun a relationship with my wife-to-be. My professor said I was a natural teacher as I had taught some zoology labs, so that got me thinking.
“After I graduated from UMFK, I was working with the National Parks Service doing seasonal work in the summer in Washington state. For two years I worked there in the summer, took the fall season off, and worked on getting my teaching credentials in the spring, which I received in 1987,” said Kaleta. “At that point I entered the Fort Kent school system. A teacher who had been there for 25 years had retired, and I was lucky enough to gain his position at Fort Kent Community High School.”
Kaleta taught biology, anatomy and physiology, ecology, Maine guide, and environmental studies.
“I taught for 26 years,” he said. “Twenty-five years in Fort Kent and one year in York.”
Recognizing that SAD 27 encouraged its teachers to continue their education, Kaleta earned his master’s in education through the University of New England in 2006. He later earned his certificate of advanced study in educational leadership, also through UNE, in 2011.
“At that point I started putting out some applications and landed a position as assistant principal at Sacopee Valley High School in South Hiram,” said Kaleta. “I was there just last year, and then received this position in Fort Fairfield.”
Kaleta spent some time this summer getting to know staff members.
“I had a few questions for them, and I wanted them to feel comfortable talking with me … just trying to get the pulse of the place. When you’re taking a position in a new school, it’s like putting a puzzle together, but you don’t have all the pieces. You’ve got to find the pieces, so you talk to as many people as you can to learn things about the school,” he said. “From what I gathered the staff really thinks the world of the students, and the entire staff seems to work together really well, which is nice. I haven’t heard any negativity from anybody; everyone has been very positive.
“Looking ahead you don’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water. You want to make sure that everything that’s working is kept intact, and then just fine-tune things a little bit,” said Kaleta. “We also want to gear up for the state mandates that are coming our way — proficiency-based graduation requirements and teacher evaluations — and streamline and dovetail what we’re doing to what the new mandates are.”
Kaleta said his primary goal is to “get the kids excited about learning.”
“We want to provide a quality, hands-on program that’s going to excite kids and make them want to be lifelong learners. We want kids to be excited about learning, and to want to come to school every day,” he said. “That’s really our mission … to fire everybody up, and make something really special for our students.”
In his free time, Kaleta enjoys cycling and kayaking.
“I had a dogsled team for over 25 years and was one of the original organizers of the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races,” he said. “Even though I don’t have a team any more, I’m still involved in the sport with some friends. I really love the outdoors.”
Kaleta and his wife of 27 years, Denise, have two children: Ian, 24, and Emily, 18.
The first day of school for Fort Fairfield Middle-High School students is Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014.
