Meet Our Staff
Laura Miller
My name is Laura Miller. I serve as the ELP Director which means I get to work with the ELP team on a regular basis. Together we talk about student needs in our district and best ways to meet those needs. I have worked with the ELP team since it began in our district many, many years ago. I have been a teacher, principal and now, the Assistant Superintendent, in our district.
I am so lucky to have a big family that includes 4 grandkids and two golden retrievers named Lucy and Basil. They make me smile every day. I love to spend time outside in our flower and vegetable gardens and walk in the woods and fields with my husband enjoying nature. I love to listen and wonder...
Kathie Gass
Kathie Gass is Co-Coordinator and teaches ELP English Language Arts and coordinates and teaches the ELP Visual Arts program. Her work with students focuses on developing reflective thinking and the ability to effectively communicate ideas via words and images.
She received her training in Special Education and Visual Arts at SUNY Geneseo, NY and Visual Art Education through Upper Valley Teacher Institute, NH. Her Literacy and Gifted and Talented Education coursework were completed through the University of Maine.
When not gardening, hiking or kayaking, Mrs. Gass may be found drawing and painting. She strives to connect students to new ideas, people and our environment in creative ways.
Holly Merrow
I am the new ELP teacher at the Captain Albert Stevens School. What you will want to know about me is that I have been a teacher for almost 20 years. I had a long career in the financial services industry as a Financial Advisor for a fortune 500 company called UBS when I was in my twenties. After ten years working in the financial services industry, I decided that I wanted to make a bigger difference in the world, so I left my job and went back to school. In 2004, I graduated from the University of Maine with a Masters of Science Degree in Education.
I arrived in RSU 71 with lots of different experiences. I recently spent an exciting year teaching Marine Science and Aquaculture at Herring Gut Learning Center.
Personally, I love the art of photography, reading, and watercolor art. I really enjoy being outdoors, hiking, skiing and walking with my dogs, Hank and Percy on the beach. I love projects and getting kids involved in their community. Most of all, I have loved working with students in Maine’s public schools from grades K-8.
Tish Manning
Tish Manning is Co-Coordinator and teaches ELP language arts and math at the elementary level. She has taught in Texas, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and in Maine. She received her B.S. in Education from the University of Maine at Orono, and is completing her Gifted and Talented certification at the University of Maine at Farmington.
Mrs. Manning loves nature and helping kids connect to the natural world. Her passion for eco education led to the creation of the BRRRR group (Belfast Refuse Reduce Reuse Recycle), an RSU 71 Eco Club of student volunteers. She focuses on helping students find joy and empowerment through learning and making connections.