Communities That Care

Dalene was hired as the Five Town Communities That Care Community Coordinator in June of 2003. In her role as Coordinator and Executive Director, Dalene attends all CTC meetings, oversees program implementation, facilitates communication both between workgroups and between the Board and the Five Town Community, and maintains all records for Five Town Communities That Care.

During the 2002-2003 school year Dalene served as a K-12 Science Teacher Leader for the Five Town CSD and MSAD #28, working with teachers and administration on curriculum and the development of a comprehensive local assessment system for science. Also during that year, Dalene was honored to serve as a NASA Teacher Associate for the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, giving her the opportunity to work with science education leaders at both the state and national level. From 1993 to 2002 Dalene taught Chemistry, Natural Science, and Botany at Camden Hills Regional High School. Prior to entering the field of education, she worked as an assistant manager for a midcoast area restaurant.

Dalene studied Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering at McGill University in Montreal for two years, and science education at the University of Maine at Orono. She was granted a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Science Education in May of 1993 from UMO. Dalene earned a Master of Science in Ecological Teaching and Learning from Leslie University in May of 2001. Dalene earned a Certificate in NonProfit Management from the University of Maine Hutchinson Center in 2004 and was a member of the inaugural class of the Midcoast Leadership Academy (2006).

Dalene served for more than ten years on Belmont Fire and Rescue as an EMT and firefighter, and served for three years on the Morrill Planning Board. She also served as the Program Committee Chair of the Board of Directors of Tanglewood 4H Camp and Learning Center for a year. Dalene currently is serving on the Board of the Maine Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation.

One of Dalene’s favorite ways to spend her time away from work is wandering the woods and waters of the family farm in Morrill. She also enjoys other outdoor activities such as exploring local caves and wildlife tracking.

Tarah has been working with Five Town Communities That Care since January 2007. She began working with CTC as a member of Support Staff for the STAR program and in August 2007 she accepted the position of STAR Program Coordinator.

Tarah studied Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and graduated in 2004. Through her interests in community psychology and service work, she joined AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. During her two years of service, Tarah worked with over ten unique communities across the country and further developed her skills in youth programming, project development, and team management.

When she is not at work, Tarah enjoys reading, running, and exploring the outdoors with her husband.

Sheryl Whittier is the Mentor Coordinator For Five Town Communities That Care. She began working with FTCTC in 2004 as a Math Mentor, and accepted the position of Mentor Coordinator in May of 2006.

Sheryl recently was trained as a Guiding Good Choices facilitator, and she began facilitating workshops for FTCTC in October of 2007.

Sheryl Whittier has worked as a middle school teacher, first in Salt Lake City, Utah, and then in Camden, from 1978 to 1987 teaching all levels of Language Arts to students in grades 6 through 8 and all levels of math to students in grades 7 and 8. Sheryl has also co-authored several reading workbooks for Houghton-Mifflin publishing company.

In 2007, Sheryl developed and launched the FTCTC Literacy Mentors program for use in the local area schools, grades 5-8. The program is being expanded this year to include grade 9.

One of Sheryl’s greatest joys is seeing the students with whom she works gain self esteem and self confidence as they acquire skills necessary for success in school and beyond.

Sheryl is an avid reader, and she enjoys spending time with her family. Sheryl lives in Camden with her husband and two sons.