ORONO – The Maine Association for Middle Level Education recently honored exemplary educators at its annual conference. This year’s recognition ceremony was highlighted by the presentation of a new award, the Friends of Middle Level Education, which was presented to Robert Cobb, dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Maine.

The Friends of Middle Level Education award will be given periodically to acknowledge people who have helped promote quality middle-level education in Maine in ways other than public school service. Cobb was recognized for his continued support of MAMLE and middle-level education in general.

The following people received Exemplary Practice awards: Anita Smith, China Middle School; George Hanley, Frank Davis and Pauline Hanley, Medway Middle School; Paula Roy, Phillips Middle School; Sharon Bowman, Gloria Bray, Paul Booth and Susan Shaw, Mount Ararat Middle School, Topsham.

The following people received Outstanding Middle Level Educator awards: Meredith Damone, Freeport Middle School; Stephen Kingsbury, Dr. Lewis S. Libby School, Milford; Glenn Nerbak, Lyman Moore Middle School, Portland; Janet Nesin Reynolds, Shapleigh Middle School, Kittery; Carole Sherburne, Dexter Middle School; and Nancy Watson, Skyway Middle School, Presque Isle.