Meet The Team
Emily Meehan – Co-Director
Emily is returning to work after many years as a full-time foster mom and now a mom of ten. In her life before foster care she has been a preschool director, K-2 teacher, Head of School at a non-traditional multiage K-12 school, homeschool mom, Milton school board member, and Program Director at the NH Farm Museum. She is thrilled to be part of Maplestone School and is excited to combine all of her previous experiences to serve it well.
Lauren Thompson – Ed Tech
Hi, my name is Lauren and I am an Ed Tech at Maplestone. I’ve worked in an ed tech role since 2018 in both California and Maine. I have degrees in both English and Paralegal Studies, but my passion is working in special education specifically teaching life skills. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access the many wonderful experiences life has to offer. I enjoy working at Maplestone because they provide their students with a wide variety of experiences.
I live in New Hampshire with my husband, our three rescue dogs, and our three geckos. I enjoy spending my time outside of school reading, writing, camping, and fostering dogs. My dreams in life are to rescue many dogs, travel the world, become a published author, and to open an adult life skills day program.
Toni Bendel – Reading Intervention
My name is Toni Bendel and this is my second year working at MapleStone as an Ed Tech, and providing reading intervention to students. Prior to working here I worked at an afterschool program in the Sanford School District, as a substitute teacher, and then as an Ed Tech in special education for several years. I currently have my Associates in Science for Behavioral Health, and my Certified Mental Health Technician certification. I am also in my final year at the University of Southern Maine where I will be earning my Bachelors in Science for Special Education. I have really been enjoying my time so far at MapleStone, the staff and students have created a very special community here. When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my husband, 2 children, 2 dogs, 4 cats, and some chickens.
Kerra Harmon – Instructor
Tori Lawrence – Instructor
Bio coming soon.
Erica Mrazik – Instructor
Bio coming soon.
Marty Campbell – Director of Student Affairs
I graduated from the University of Maine at Augusta. I started my career in order to do what I love which is to teach and make relationships. I am glad that Maplestone allows me to bring the things in life into how I teach.
I enjoy spending time with my animals on my farm. When I’m not on the farm I am coaching basketball at the varsity level. I am also on the pursuit to find the best mac ‘n cheese in the world.
Melissa Joyce – Administrative Assistant
Melissa Joyce, administrative assistant, started with MapleStone School in September of 2023. She is married and has 3 kids. She comes to us with a degree in Child Psychology and lots of experience with children of all ages. From owning her own preschool/Kindergarten to Finance Director and Director of Operations for a small private school, she is here with a lot to share. When not at work, she likes to craft, boat, and spend time with family.
Jeff Goodwin – Instructor
I graduated high school in 1993 while living on my own.
I worked at Shaws as a baker for 3 years during high school.
I joined the coast guard in 1993, went to Alaska out of boot camp and started learning my job on large motors and equipment. I stayed for 1 year and then went to C-School in Virginia. I was promoted to MK3 and then left for North Carolina which is where I stayed until my tour was over. I took some college classes while on isolated duty and many courses around mechanics.
After the service I stayed in North Carolina for 3 years, running a small business in Charlotte. I was in charge of deliveries, loading, running the crew, landscaping, fixing equipment and doing the day to day business stuff.
I moved home later in 1999. Shortly after I started working at Home Depot in Portsmouth, NH which through connection I became a vendor for a company out of New York called BP Sales and Service. I soon became the sales manager for Maine and some NH stores. We built displays and completed new store set ups. After working for them for a few years I was recruited to Stanley tools company.
Next I became a Mac Tool distributor for Maine and NH. I ran my own business for a few years, eventually I left Mac Tools and opened my own tool company called Goody tools.
After selling tools I started working for Maplestone late in 2008.
I was hired to teach a vocational class. I taught mechanics and welding/fabrication. After taking 13 college classes, the praxis 1 and 2, the PLT test, I earned my 865 certificate in CTE in 2016. Later, Maplestone changed directions and became a SPPS and with Ron Roberts help I took all the courses and became a transitions coordinator and job coach.
Some fun facts about me:
I used to sell jewelry.
Some of my hobbies are woodworking, fishing, and collecting tools.
I’ve been married for 24 years and have one child.
I worked with Nils for a few years prior to working at Maplestone.
I have two dogs and love to hike with them.
Spencer Hodge – Instructor
My name is Spencer Hodge-MacKenzie, this is my fourth year at MapleStone and eighth year teaching overall. Inspired by my high school teachers who helped me find my path in life, I chose to pursue a degree in secondary education from the University of Maine Farmington. Following graduation, I spent three years teaching Social Studies in an Alternative Education program called Multiple Pathways. This experience intensely increased my capability to work with students with diverse backgrounds, adverse childhood experiences, IEPs/504s, behavior difficulties, in a variety of school settings. Seeking new teaching experiences I joined Sanford High as a social studies teacher for one year before being recruited to teach at MapleStone. During the summers I teach people how to jump out of planes at Skydive New England, my summer home for the last 11 years and 3500 jumps. At MapleStone I have gained experience teaching all subjects and interweaving student IEP and curriculum goals into what we do in the Makerspace. I love to make art and be challenged to think creatively, and I hope that excitement rubs off on our students.
Anthony Thompson – Instructor
I’m pleased to introduce myself to you! My name is Anthony Thompson, the ELA teacher here at MapleStone. Besides my background in English I bring a wide variety of interest and experience. I moved to New England three years ago with my wife Lauren and our dog Strawberry from Northern California. Growing up near the Sierra Nevada Mountains led to my love of all things outdoors. I have backpacked Yosemite in the dead of winter and Arches in the summer. If I’m not camping you will find me working on our property or fishing. I have been surfing and playing sports my entire life. I worked as a firefighter for ten years before making the switch to education before moving to the East Coast. I hope to provide a learning experience that is filled with reflection, exploration and joy. Every student has a journey and I hope to make this step of the journey something memorable, building on past skills, hobbies and interest to develop a love for learning.
Please reach out to me anytime,
Anthony-
Hannah Meehan – Instructional Assistant
Hi! I’m Hannah, an Ed Tech here at MapleStone. I began working in special education with early elementary age children and found it to be such a rewarding profession to pursue. I am really enjoying the opportunity to work with older students here at MapleStone. It allows me to put into practice my passion for making education fun and building relationships strong with my students. In my free time I enjoy listening to music and making art.
