Holly Merrow
Thomaston
Summary
Dynamic educator specializing in project-based learning for gifted students in STEM fields. Proven track record in enhancing student engagement and collaboration through innovative curriculum design, leadership in school initiatives, and effective partnerships with educators and the community.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Gifted and Talented Teacher
Captain Albert Stevens School
Belfast
09.2022 - Current
- Design and implement project-based curriculum in the areas of math, science and Literacy for students in grades 3-5 that seek more challenging STEM-based experiences in school
- Managed casework and provided educational support for students identified or in the process of being identified as gifted and talented in math and english language arts
- Collaborated with school leadership team to enhance educational strategies, Member of the RSU 71 Math Leadership Team, Belfast Elementary Chess Team coach and club coordinator, Directed school Newspaper Club activities to enhance student writing skills and Facilitated Engineering Club projects to encourage hands-on learning
Owner
Walking & Wagging Pet Services
Thomaston
01.2017 - Current
- Managed daily operations of pet care services for diverse clientele.
- Delivered safe and caring overnight boarding experiences for pets in a home environment.
- Coordinated scheduling and logistics for pet walking and sitting services.
- Utilized social media to promote services and engage with community.
2nd Grade Teacher
East Belfast Elementary School
Belfast
09.2019 - 08.2022
- Taught all subjects to 7-8 yr old students in rural suburb of midcoast Maine, aligning curriculum with common core state standards.
- Collaborated with technology teacher to design and integrate project using maps and robots, enhancing students' skills in technology, art, reading, and math.
- Engaged students in science through year-long oceans and fish research project, culminating in creation of Adobe Spark video showcasing their findings.
Marine Science & Aquaculture Educator
Herring Gut Learning Center
Port Clyde
08.2018 - 06.2019
- Designed and taught a year-long kelp growing program with 6th - 8th graders from the St. George School. Students created a kelp growing business where they designed and built their own farms, grew kelp from the spore stage to the adult stage, made products from kelp, wrote and published book on how to grow kelp
- Educated students from grades K - 12 about oceans and conservation through mini investigation programs in collaboration with local public schools.
- Hired and coordinated six students through Clowes Foundation Grant for a "First Work" project at The Landing Place in Rockland, overseeing design, construction, and planting of garden beds.
Math Interventionist
Camden Middle School
Camden
09.2015 - 08.2017
- Collaborated with RTI Coordinator to analyze student data, addressing individual math needs of students in grades 5-8; co-taught general education math classes and developed curriculum for Math Intervention Labs for grades 5, 7, 8
- Created and launched a school-wide Problem of the Month program to engage students in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving
- Guided 8th grade math class in designing and opening a school store, fostering practical application of math skills in a real-world context
- Started Math Leadership Master's Certificate program to enhance teaching skills.
3rd Grade Teacher
South Elementary School
Rockland
09.2013 - 08.2015
- Worked with a team of teachers to align the third grade Everyday Math program to the Common Core Standards and Performance Indicators
- Collaborated with students to create poetry pieces published and distributed in the local community, resulting in first place for their poems about spiders in a Halloween door decorating contest.
- Facilitated creation of self-published book with students, titled Our Favorite Winter Activities, enhancing student engagement and creativity.
- Created engaging voice recordings using Adobe Voice to conclude a fairy tale unit
- Developed comprehensive year-long Aquaponics Science experience integrating chemistry, biology, and botany through partnership with Herring Gut Learning Center.
4th Grade Teacher
Union Elementary School
Union
09.2012 - 08.2013
- Coordinated school visit with Donn Fendler to enhance student engagement during 4th grade reading of Lost Trail and Lost on a Mountain in Maine
- Developed comprehensive math program using Everyday Math, IXL, and web-based resources to address diverse student needs
- Created and implemented science units on Arachnids, Changing Matter, and Plants using scientific method; integrated civics and government lessons during national election and taught world geography
Long Term Substitute
RSU13 & Camden Middle School
OWLS HEAD & CAMDEN
09.2011 - 08.2012
- Utilized ALEKS math program to support students in grades 5, 6, and 7 in math lab, enhancing their math skills through RTI process.
- Planned, assessed, and taught differentiated literacy and math programs for 9 students in grades K-5 during six-week long term sub position as Special Ed. Teacher in RSU 13.
- Collaborated with teachers to develop instructional materials and lesson plans.
3rd Grade Teacher
Wentworth Intermediate School
Scarborough
09.2010 - 08.2011
- Implemented Expeditionary Learning curriculum to research, design, and co-write a published book with students, titled Life in Our Salt Marsh, fostering collaborative learning and literacy skills.
- Utilized Voicethread to guide students in creating a timeline presentation on Scarborough History, enhancing their engagement and understanding of local heritage.
Title 1 Interventionist
South Elementary School
Rockland
09.2009 - 08.2010
- Developed and executed math intervention program using Everyday Math and Pinpoint Math to enhance student learning outcomes.
- Facilitated adoption of Response To Intervention policies and procedures, promoting effective interventions for diverse learners.
- Created a form for gathering data on students that combines the school's essential skills with the Everyday Math program outcomes.
- Designed math portal website to provide accessible resources for teachers and students, improving instructional support.
- Participated in the school's Student Learning Leadership Team.
Teacher
Portland Schools
Portland
09.2005 - 08.2009
- Developed lessons and assessments based on the Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound curriculum for expeditions on mapping, lobster fishing, astronomy, and the Baxter family of Maine, enhancing student engagement and understanding.
- Guided students in creating final products assessing their learning of ocean habitats and lobster fishing, resulting in an activity/coloring book for Dimillo's Floating Restaurant featured in Educational Leadership magazine.
- Drew on the Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound curriculum; integrated its components across the curriculum with technology, members of the Portland community, and literacy strategies to implement an expedition on Immigration for 8th graders
Co-Owner
Pampered Pooch
Gray
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Founded and managed daily operations of pet grooming and boarding services, ensuring high-quality care for pets.
- Developed targeted marketing strategies to attract new clients and increase brand visibility.
- Coordinated inventory management for pet supplies and grooming products, optimizing stock levels and availability.
Kindergarten and 1st Grade Teacher
MSAD15
Gray
09.2003 - 08.2005
- Coordinated planning and implementation of district's local assessment system for first grade, enhancing assessment accuracy
- Participated in school's Student Assistance Team (SAT), supporting student needs and interventions.
- Led year-long service learning project for wildlife rehabilitation, fostering student engagement and community awareness
Financial Advisor
UBS/Painewebber
Portland
01.1992 - 01.2001
- Provided wealth management services to Maine business owners, their families and the charitable organizations they support including investment policy development, asset allocation modeling, investment management evaluation, and performance measurement
- Developed comprehensive financial plans tailored to client needs.
- Analyzed investment portfolios to optimize asset allocation strategies.
- Cultivated client relationships through regular communication and personalized service.
Education
GT Certification -
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ08-2023
Master's of Science Degree - Education
University of Southern Maine
Gorham, ME05-2004
Bachelor of Science - Marketing and Economics
Plymouth State University
Plymouth, NH05-1991
Skills
- Curriculum design
- STEM education
- Project-based learning
- Differentiated instruction
- Data analysis
- Educational leadership
- Community engagement
- Team collaboration
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- The Landing Place, Two year volunteer, Rockland, ME, Eight year participant and fundraiser for the Maine Cancer Foundation's, Tri for a Cure Triathlon
- Almost Home Rescue of New England, Volunteer and Foster Parent, 2006, 2019, Two year member MSAD15 Student Assistant Team (SAT), fifteen-year member (MEA) – Maine Education Association, Five year member-Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Chapter, Past President-Channel South Condominium Association, Past member – Professional Ski Instructors Association
- Almost Home Rescue of New England, Volunteer and Foster Parent, 2006, 2020, Two year member MSAD15 Student Assistant Team (SAT), fifteen-year member (MEA) – Maine Education Association, Five year member-Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Chapter, Past President-Channel South Condominium Association, Past member – Professional Ski Instructors Association
Affiliations
- Secretary of the town of Thomaston Traffic Advisory Committee
- Two year volunteer The Landing Place, Rockland, ME
- Eight year participant and fundraiser for the Maine Cancer Foundation's, Tri for a Cure Triathlon
- Volunteer and Foster Parent for Almost Home Rescue of New England. 2006 - 2020
- Two year member MSAD15 Student Assistant Team (SAT)
- Fifteen-year member (MEA) – Maine Education Association
- Five year member-Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Chapter
- Past President-Channel South Condominium Association
- Past member – Professional Ski Instructors Association
Timeline
Gifted and Talented Teacher
Captain Albert Stevens School
09.2022 - Current
2nd Grade Teacher
East Belfast Elementary School
09.2019 - 08.2022
Marine Science & Aquaculture Educator
Herring Gut Learning Center
08.2018 - 06.2019
Owner
Walking & Wagging Pet Services
01.2017 - Current
Math Interventionist
Camden Middle School
09.2015 - 08.2017
3rd Grade Teacher
South Elementary School
09.2013 - 08.2015
4th Grade Teacher
Union Elementary School
09.2012 - 08.2013
Long Term Substitute
RSU13 & Camden Middle School
09.2011 - 08.2012
3rd Grade Teacher
Wentworth Intermediate School
09.2010 - 08.2011
Title 1 Interventionist
South Elementary School
09.2009 - 08.2010
Teacher
Portland Schools
09.2005 - 08.2009
Co-Owner
Pampered Pooch
01.2005 - 01.2007
Kindergarten and 1st Grade Teacher
MSAD15
09.2003 - 08.2005
Financial Advisor
UBS/Painewebber
01.1992 - 01.2001
GT Certification -
University of Phoenix
Master's of Science Degree - Education
University of Southern Maine
Bachelor of Science - Marketing and Economics
Plymouth State University