Maine Educator Awarded for Tech Instruction
The Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine has recognized Nicole Lesperance with the 2026 ACHIEVE Award.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Nicole Lesperance, a technology integration specialist in Regional School Unit 9, received the 2026 ACHIEVE Award from the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine. The honor recognizes her work in using technology to enhance classroom instruction.
Why it matters
The award highlights the growing importance of integrating computational thinking into K-12 education to better prepare students for modern work environments. It underscores the efforts of educators like Lesperance who transition from traditional classroom roles to technical leadership.
Participation in the Summer Tech Institute grew significantly, rising from 27 attendees in 2023 to 80 in 2025. The event, hosted at Mt. Blue High School, offers sessions developed through an open proposal process.
The players
Nicole Lesperance
She is a technology integration specialist and training coordinator for Regional School Unit 9.
Keith Kelley
He is a recipient of the 2026 ACHIEVE Award based at Nokomis Middle School in RSU 19.
Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine
The professional organization promotes the use of technology for classroom instruction and professional development.
The details
Nicole Lesperance, who spent nearly 20 years teaching first grade, now leads training initiatives for RSU 9 including the WorkForce Ready 2030 Partnership. She focuses on teaching computational thinking rather than specific software or hardware tools, an approach exemplified by the interactive escape rooms she helped integrate into the 2026 Summer Tech Institute.
Timeline
The Summer Tech Institute held 27 participants in 2023.
The 2025 Summer Tech Institute drew 80 participants.
The 2026 Summer Tech Institute took place August 12-13, 2026.
Recognition at the ACTEM Fall Conference is scheduled for October 15-16, 2026.
The 2027 Summer Tech Institute is set for August 11-12, 2027.
Culture Shift
This recognition reflects a broader movement toward prioritizing computational literacy within public school curricula across Maine. As schools pivot to meet the goals of the WorkForce Ready 2030 Partnership, educators are increasingly transitioning into specialized roles to manage this technical evolution.
The professional development models used by award recipients often influence regional teaching strategies and available technology resources for students. Parents and community members in RSU 9 can expect continued emphasis on computer science training in the classroom.
The takeaway
Focusing on underlying computational thinking rather than specific software tools can make technology curriculum more adaptable for students. Educators looking to refine their own professional practice can seek out regional peer-led workshops to prepare for upcoming academic years.
What happens next
Nicole Lesperance and Keith Kelley are scheduled to receive formal recognition at the ACTEM Fall Conference, which will be held on October 15-16, 2026. The organization has also scheduled the next Summer Tech Institute for August 11-12, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local teaching initiatives in the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lewiston Sun Journal.
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