Zachary Wentworth: Outstanding Graduating Student

Zachary Wentworth of Calais, Maine, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD). He is a secondary education major with a concentration in social studies and a minor in history. A Maine Top Scholar, a Maine Seacoast Mission scholar and a Galen Cole Family Foundation scholar, Wentworth served as president of the University of Maine chapter of the Student Maine Education Association for the past two years. He was also an undergraduate resident assistant with Residence Life, working with the communities in Hart Hall in the 2023-24 academic year and in Hancock Hall this year. Wentworth completed his student teaching placement at Orono High School with mentor teacher Shana Goodall, a two-time alumna of COEHD and the 2019 Maine History Teacher of the Year. After graduating, Wentworth plans to pursue a master’s in student development in higher education at UMaine, while working as a graduate assistant in COEHD’s Advising Center.

Why did you choose to come to UMaine?

I chose UMaine for its tight-knit community. Mainers are some of the most welcoming, encouraging and inspiring people who cultivate a deeply connected and supportive environment. I felt this growing up in Maine, and every visit to UMaine before I started my college career here reinforced my desire to be part of such a community.

Describe any research, internships, or scholarly pursuits in which you have participated. How have they prepared you for future opportunities in your chosen field?

During my final semester at UMaine, I completed my student teaching internship, which was a full-time placement at a local high school. This intensive internship has prepared me for my future career in education. The UMaine faculty and cooperating teachers have been nothing short of amazing. This internship allowed me to put my classroom knowledge into practice, deepening my learning and confirming my passion for education while becoming a part of a local school community.

Have there been other students who supported and inspired you or exposed you to something new?

Every day at UMaine, other students—whether they are my classmates, co-workers, or fellow members of the clubs I’m involved in—inspire me to create change within our community and state. My peers who are student teaching have inspired me to improve this experience by advocating for a paid student teaching internship. Their passion for education and the struggles they face in this unpaid role have exposed me to the challenges students pursuing careers in education encounter. I’ve worked to raise awareness of these issues, and I hope to create meaningful change in this area.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor, or role model who made your time at UMaine better, and if so, how?

During my time at UMaine, I’ve worked with many students, faculty and staff. But my student teaching mentor teacher Shana Goodall has made the most significant impact on my education. Ms. Goodall is a UMaine alumna, a dedicated high school social studies teacher and a mentor for future educators like myself. Her guidance has shaped me and prepared me for the next stage of my life and career. The amount of time she consistently dedicates to supporting her students, fellow staff and future educators speaks for itself. She embodies everything I admire in an educator and hope to be as a future teacher. The mentorship she has provided has been pivotal to my time at UMaine, and it is something I will forever be grateful for.

What has coming to UMaine enabled you to explore beyond academics?

UMaine has allowed me to explore my interests in public education beyond the classroom, through extracurriculars like the Student Maine Education Association (SMEA). This club has given me the opportunity to learn about organized labor organizations such as the Maine Education Association. Through SMEA, I began to understand public education more holistically and explored the politics of education, which has since become a passion of mine.

What experiences have you had at UMaine that really highlight the ingenuity of Mainers?

One experience that highlights the ingenuity of Mainers occurred when my classmates in the College of Education and Human Development came together to start a food pantry for fellow students in field placements who were struggling financially. Their quick action shows the compassion and ingenuity of Mainers.

Did you have an experience at UMaine that shaped or changed how you see the world?

Being a resident assistant and helping students navigate UMaine as first-years and upperclassmen has truly opened my eyes to how far a little help can go in ensuring someone’s success. Residents come to me daily with questions about dining halls or roommate issues, but on a few occasions, residents have come to me with serious concerns about their academics and feel like they need to end their education and go home. I’ve had the honor of helping them access the resources they need to succeed, such as Student Accessibility Services or tutoring. On a few occasions, I’ve sat with students to help them write an email to their professor asking for help. These experiences have shown me the power and importance of being there for your community, deepening my passion for helping those on an educational journey.

Describe UMaine in one word and explain.

Resilient.

Maine’s harsh winters and tight-knit communities embody resilience, and UMaine reflects this spirit. The UMaine community always comes together to support each other, both in and out of the classroom. Students are encouraged to embrace this resilience, learning to adapt and thrive in a world that is constantly changing and often uncertain. Most importantly, UMaine reminds us that we are resilient together, as Black Bears—never alone. The strength of the UMaine community and everyone within it is evident in our success in the classroom, research labs, internships, on the ice, and throughout our state. I could not be more proud to be part of this resilient community.

What’s on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate?

Next year, I will return to the University of Maine to pursue a Master of Education in Higher Education and will take a graduate assistant position in the College of Education and Human Development Advising Center. I’m excited to continue my education and diversify my skill set in the education field. I’m especially excited to help cultivate the next generation of educators so early in my career. It’s a way I never imagined I’d be able to give back to UMaine.

Contact: Casey Kelly, casey.kelly@maine.edu