Morrison and Willcott awarded the Howard F. Ryder Endowed Fellowship for Advanced Study 

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — Foxcroft Academy faculty members Mia Morrison and Julie Willcott have been awarded the Howard F. Ryder Endowed Fellowship for Advanced Study, a permanent memorial established by Ryder’s family upon his passing in 2006. The Fellowship for Advanced Study is awarded to members of the FA faculty for the purpose of professional development or enhanced classroom materials. Morrison and Willcott were accepted to the prestigious Apple Distinguished Educator program in February and will be heading to Austin in July for a week of collaboration with the other 73 North American teachers selected. The endowed fellowship will help fund their trip.

Observer photo/Bill Pearson

    HAM RADIO — George Dean, of the Piscataquis Amateur Radio Club, told the Hibbard Nursing Home residents all about Ham radio on May 16. Dean was one of presenters during National Nursing Home week from May 12-18. Hibbard’s invited several organizations to discuss what they do in the community.

    Ryder began his career at Foxcroft Academy in 1980 as assistant head of school and athletic director under the headship of Jim Steenstra. In 1981 he took over as head of school and remained in that position until 1994, when he left to become head of school at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle 
    The permanent memorial was set up to honor Ryder’s legacy and pay tribute to his lifelong devotion to education. His role in education spanned more than 30 years and took him to leadership positions at both the state and national levels. Throughout his career, he never lost sight of the fact that schools were all about the students. He instilled his passion for educating young people in his faculty members, working to help them become the best classroom teachers possible.