AUBURN, Maine — Christine Samson has worked to make students feel welcome and connected for 18 years at Sherwood Heights Elementary School in Auburn. Because of her efforts, students have seen improvements in their mental health, academics, and behavior.

Each morning, Samson’s sixth-grade class begins the day together.

Sitting together in a circle on the carpet, students hear about the day’s schedule and share what’s going on in their lives. They are encouraged to talk about their families or anything else they want to discuss.

Samson has been teaching for over 30 years, with 18 of those at Sherwood Heights in the same classroom where she was once a student herself. Her parents were also teachers. She always puts her students’ well-being first and makes sure the classroom feels safe bef

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