Casco Bay High School Principal Named Maine’s 2016 Principal of the Year

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins met with Derek Pierce, the principal of Casco Bay High School in Portland, in her Washington, D.C., office. Mr. Pierce is the recipient of the 2016 Maine Principal Association’s (MPA) Principal of the Year Award.

“Innovation, creativity, and devotion to students and teachers are the hallmarks of strong and effective leadership in our educational system,” said Senator Collins. “I am proud to congratulate Mr. Pierce, a leader who so clearly embodies these attributes.”

MPA honored Mr. Pierce with the Principal of the Year Award for developing Casco Bay High School as a national model for expeditionary learning, as well as for his leadership and commitment to student-centered learning.

Mr. Pierce has been principal of Casco Bay High School, an expeditionary learning school in Portland, since the school’s founding in 2005. From 2002-2005, he served as principal of Poland Regional High School and Whittier Middle School, where he also served as the Dean of Faculty from 1998-2002.

Senator Collins has a strong record of supporting education at all levels, including improving our public school system for kindergarten through 12th grade. During her time in the U.S. Senate, Senator Collins has made more than 200 Maine elementary and secondary school visits.