Syntiro Staff Bios
Kathryn Markovchick, President
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Kathryn Markovchick brings more than 30 years of experience conducting and overseeing systemic change activities. She has worked as a special education teacher, administrator and university faculty member and now, as the President of Syntiro. The scope of her work is extensive, from designing and delivering statewide professional development to managing myriad state and federal contracts. Kathryn earned her doctoral and undergaduate degrees in learning and behavior disorders and experiential education from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Currently, she serves as director of the Maine State GEAR UP Program under contract from the Maine Department of Education. As President of Syntiro, Kathryn oversees more than $2 million dollars in grants, contracts and fee-for-service activities in professional development, college access projects, technical assistance and organizational development activities. She is credited, with colleague Corda Ladd Kinzie, with developing the research-based Celebratory Learning model of engaged teaching and learning. Her mission is to facilitate the change process with care, thought and purpose. Kathryn is a vibrant leader, facilitator, educator and mentor who uses a balance of "hands-on/heads-on" experience and theory in all of her work.
Therese Bernier Burns, Interim Director
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Therese Bernier Burns, ABD.Ed. is the Interim Director of Syntiro. Therese has been an integral member of the network since its inception. Therese consults state wide in a number of areas including positive behavioral support, differentiated learning, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and developing personalized school improvement plans. She serves on the state Response to Intervention (RtI) team and collaborates to help all schools receive RtI support. Therese also facilitates Syntiro's Maine Department of Education funded initiative to create digital textbooks and the Learning Disabilities Association of Maine's grant to Syntiro to provide professional development for educational technicians, parents, and leadership teams. She oversaw, for many years, the production of the Syntiro Winter Retreat, an event which drew educators from Maine and across the nation. Therese earned her master’s degree in special education with an emphasis on positive behavioral supports and is a certified SWIS (Schoolwide Information Systems) facilitator. She is currently completing her dissertation in a doctoral program through Walden University. Therese’s professional background includes over 25 years of meeting the needs of learners in the classroom. Therese leads professional development on multiple topics, but is best known for her work in supporting students with behavioral challenges, implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), helping students on the autism spectrum succeed, and creating engaging and inviting Celebratory Learning environments. She is the current President of the Maine Federation of CEC.
Debbie Gilmer, Assistant Director for Project Development, and Director, Center for Self Determination, Health & Policy
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Debbie Gilmer is the Associate Director of Syntiro where she directs of the Center for Self-Determination, Health & Policy, The Maine High School Equivalency Program (HEP) funded by the US Department of Education's Office of Migrant Education; and the Employment for ME Workforce Development System funded by the Maine Departments of HHS and Labor. She co-chairs Employment First ME, a broad based coalition of advocates and state agencies and is President of the Maine APSE chapter. Debbie is a board member of the Disability Rights Center. She previously co-directed the Maine State GEAR UP program and worked at UMaine where she was the Associate Director of the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies and worked statewide to build the capacity of schools to support all students in inclusive classrooms. She has directed numerous state and federally funded projects in the areas of employment, transition, health care, inclusive education and positive behavior supports and is a well-regarded presenter and teacher.
Rick Wilson, Operations Coordinator
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Rick Wilson joined Syntiro in August, 2012 after 33 years in public education. Rick had been Principal at Manchester Elementary School for the last 18 of those years; having also served as Principal of Mt. Vernon Elementary School during the last year. Rick also chaired the Professional Development Committee at the Maine Principals' Association from 2005-2009. Prior to his years in administration, Rick was a K-8 music specialist in Union 42 (Manchester, Mt. Vernon, Readfield and Wayne). He holds a Mus. B from Boston University and an M.ED. from the University of Maine. In addition to being a HEP Regional Facilitator, Rick has also served as a Regional Facilitator for the Maine State GEAR UP program. He is the facilitator for Professional Development in Washington and Hancock County. Rick's interests and expertise include teacher training and development, educational leadership, team building and school climate.
Linda Belanger, Accountant
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Joyce Lang, Office Assistant
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(207) 522-2315
Joyce Lang has been with Syntiro since 1994. She is an Office Assistant for Syntiro and plays a critical role as the Administrative Assistant for the Maine HEP program. For Maine HEP, Joyce schedules project activities, coordinates travel and works directly with the Project Director and project staff to assure all project timelines and reporting requirements are met. She is also responsible for designing professional development flyers and registration sites for Syntiro and maintains the organizations calendars and address books. She assists with other Syntiro’s initiatives as needed.