Even though they speak English, many find that their accent makes it hard for people to understand them.
Noel K. Gallagher
Noel Gallagher covers K-12 and higher education issues statewide. Her stories are a mix of breaking news and trend stories. In recent years, they’ve ranged from why college costs so much, the launch of the state’s first charter schools, how a school welcomed a transgender student and why Maine schools have a hard time finding teachers. She’s enough of a news nerd to enjoy sitting through legislative education committee meetings and hours-long school board meetings so you don’t have to.
The Maine Press Association has honored Noel’s work, but she says she writes for the readers, in the firm belief that an informed citizenry is key to a healthy democracy.
Noel is a California native who has worked at wire services, online websites and newspapers across the country. She was in Washington D.C. during the early Clinton years, covering AIDS activism in 1990s San Francisco, documenting the business of wine in Sonoma County and riding out the boom and bust cycle of the early Internet era in early 2000s Silicon Valley. She arrived in Maine at the beginning of the recession and wrote quite a bit about the downturn here.
In her free time, Noel writes the occasional cookbook review, spends an inordinate amount of time at the Portland Public Library and hangs out with her three fabulous kids and wonderful husband. She is not a former member of the band Oasis.
Q: What might be more readable but still challenge test-taking students? A: The new SAT
Emphasizing critical thinking over vocabulary and ‘tricky logic questions,’ the new version is meant to reflect real-world aptitude in college-bound kids.
Maine laws don’t dictate how school districts handle students facing criminal charges
Notification of school officials is required, but determining participation in school activities is left to individual districts.
Windham officials who recommended football star for award knew of sex charges against him
At least one member of the award selection committee is ‘terribly upset’ that he wasn’t made aware of the sexual assault charges against Tyrell Gullatt.
Author Stephen King honored with endowed chair at UMaine
A $1 million gift from the Alfond Foundation will fund the English faculty position at his alma mater.
Education Committee endorses $40,000 minimum salary for Maine public school teachers
The average salary in Maine is now $50,017 a year, and about 150 Maine teachers earn less than $40,000.
Ballot initiative proposes surcharge on high earners to pay for education
The Stand Up for Students initiative could result in lower property taxes because the state would be contributing more to local districts.
USM considers renting housing for students in Portland
With students struggling to find affordable places to live in the city, the university may lease space to offer as dorm-style units.
LePage withdraws his nominee for education commissioner
The governor says the Legislature’s Education Committee planned to oppose Bill Beardsley over ‘partisan political games.’
Becoming Lucy: Portland family embraces child’s gender identity
When their son told them, ‘I just wish I could die and God could bring me back as a girl,’ the Tidds began an emotional and practical journey to help their child become her true self.