Sanford Regional Technical Center

Sanford Senior Excels in New Sports Medicine Program

April 15, 2026

When Sanford Regional Technical Center launched its new Sports Medicine Program, it opened a door that one Sanford High School senior was ready to walk right through. Now a senio...

For the third consecutive year, Sanford High School and the Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) opened their doors to welcome early childhood professionals from across Maine for the York County Early Childhood Coalition's (YCECC) Early Childhood Education Conference. On Saturday, April 4, more than 200 attendees gathered under one roof for a full day of professional growth, including registrants, presenters, vendors, and SRTC's own Early Childhood Education students. Hosting the conference has become a point of pride for Sanford, and this year was no exception. The school's Performing Arts Center, classrooms, café, and Agora were all put to use throughout the day, giving the event a true sense of place and community. From registration through the final door prize drawing, Sanford provided the space and support that made the conference possible. Held under the theme "Seeds of Inspiration: Growing Educators and Young Children with Heart and Guidance," the conference offered seven hours of professional training for those who work directly or indirectly with children from birth through the third grade. The day began in the Performing Arts Center with a welcome and an opening panel discussion titled "Mentorship, Compassion, and Growth," bringing together perspectives from both mentors and mentees and inviting questions from the audience. Attendees then had time to network and explore more than 20 vendor tables before the first of three breakout sessions. Topics across the day included Language and Literacy Strategies, Reframing Behavior as Communication, Universal Design for Learning, and the Regulated Classroom. A catered lunch by local caterer Above and Beyond was served in the café, giving participants a chance to recharge and connect before the afternoon sessions. The day wrapped up in the Agora with door prize drawings featuring items generously donated by vendors and the distribution of certificates recognizing each attendee's seven hours of training. The York County Early Childhood Coalition is dedicated to strengthening the network of professionals and services that support young children and families throughout the region.

Sanford High School Hosts York County Early Childhood Education Conference

April 14, 2026

For the third consecutive year, Sanford High School and the Sanford Regional Technical Center opened their doors to welcome early childhood professionals from across Maine for the...

National Technical Honor Society Announced for SRTC

April 10, 2026

By School, the inductees for May 6th.

This is part of a series highlighting the career and technical education programs offered at Sanford Regional Technical Center.

SRTC Program Highlight: Precision Manufacturing

April 9, 2026

This is part of a series highlighting the career and technical education programs offered at Sanford Regional Technical Center. Walk into the Precision Manufacturing program at...

Sanford Senior Finds His Shot Behind the Camera with the Mainers

April 2, 2026

When Braeden Landry first joined the Sanford Mainers' broadcast production crew, he admitted he didn't know much about baseball and wasn't sure he knew enough about cameras either...

SRTC Students Take Center Stage at Annual Celebrating Partnerships Event

March 24, 2026

Sanford Regional Technical Center held its annual Celebrating Partnerships event on Wednesday, March 18. The gathering brought together local business partners, educators, and stu...

This is part of a series highlighting the career and technical education programs offered at Sanford Regional Technical Center. When someone calls 911, Emergency Medical Technicians are often the first medical professionals to arrive on scene. In Sanford Regional Technical Center's EMT Program, students learn the knowledge and skills needed to provide emergency medical care—from initial patient assessment through treatment and transport. The program is led by instructor Sharon Jackson, who has been in the EMS field since age 15 and a licensed provider for 25 years. A proboard certified Firefighter I & II and paramedic, Jackson still works as a firefighter/paramedic when not teaching, bringing current real-world experience into the classroom. The program currently holds the record for the highest number of students who have gone on to become licensed EMTs in its history. Students study anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology while learning EMT assessment and treatment protocols for both medical and trauma patients. The hands-on curriculum includes patient assessments, vital signs monitoring, medication administration within the EMT scope of practice, and proper techniques for lifting and moving patients using various equipment types—all skills required of certified EMTs. "The EMT program at SRTC is a perfect opportunity for those who have an interest in emergency medicine to learn the skills, confidence, and procedures to help those in need with great support from the instructor and those around you. This class teaches you everything you need to pass your NREMT and work on an ambulance helping those in need and is a fun and engaging class along the way. I don't think I would want to spend my time in the mornings anywhere else” said Rowan Berounsky-Porter (currently an EMT and Marshwood student, Firefighting I & II program completer and SRTC Student of the Year Nominee). The program provides seven college credits through Southern Maine Community College and American Heart Association CPR certification. Students also earn several specialized safety certifications that teach them how to handle hazardous materials incidents, report suspected abuse or neglect, and provide immediate bleeding control—skills that prepare them for the full range of situations EMTs encounter. Students describe the program's positive environment in their own words. Kelsey Chagnon, SRTC, York senior and Firefighting I & II program completer added, "It's a really positive environment and everyone is comfortable with each other." Jackson's teaching philosophy centers on meeting students where they are. "My students have taught me that they want to learn and not everyone learns the same way," Jackson said. "This means we must adjust the way we teach to meet the way they learn instead of trying to get them to adjust the way they learn to meet the way we teach." With a nationwide shortage of EMS providers, communities across the country need qualified EMTs to respond to emergencies. The program equips students with professional certifications, hands-on experience, and the clinical knowledge to begin their EMS careers or continue their education in paramedicine or other healthcare fields immediately after high school.

SRTC Program Highlight: Emergency Medical Technician Program

March 23, 2026

This is part of a series highlighting the career and technical education programs offered at Sanford Regional Technical Center. When someone calls 911, Emergency Medical Techni...

SRTC Student of the Year Nominees for 2026

March 21, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2026 Contact: Sanford Regional Technical Center | Sanford, Maine SRTC Recognizes 14 Outstanding Student of the Year Nominees SANFORD...

Sanford Regional Technical Center Names Sofia Sharood as 2026 Student of the Year

March 20, 2026

SANFORD, ME — The Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) is proud to announce Sofia Sharood, a junior at Kennebunk High School, as its 2025–2026 Student of the Year. Enrolled i...

SRTC Students Bring Home 51 Medals from SkillsUSA State Conference

March 19, 2026

Over 100 students from Sanford Regional Technical Center traveled to Bangor to compete at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference and they came home with plenty of ha...

When Sanford Regional Technical Center Agriculture Instructor Jennifer Coverdale wants to contact AHN Landscaping, the response usually comes from her own student Noelle Dennis. Noelle is a junior in the program and, by most measures, a full business partner in her family's landscaping company. "She's basically her dad's business partner," Coverdale said. "I send an email to him, and she's the one who checks the email. She is involved in all of the work that he's doing." That level of involvement is something Noelle has built steadily over the past three years, learning the business from the ground up. From talking to clients and planning job sites to managing equipment and running crews, she has taken on responsibility at an age when most of her peers are still figuring out what they want to do after graduation. For Noelle, the appeal of the work has always been clear. "I certainly like the career, and being outside," she said. "It suits me." Running a landscaping business means no two days look the same, and that's exactly how she likes it. At AHN Landscaping, she isn't just showing up to mow lawns. She's learning how to build and run a business, one job at a time. "We've done many jobs," she said. "It's something I really want to continue to pursue." This winter marked her first season handling snow removal on her own, and it tested her early. During her very first storm, her plow broke down twice in the same spot before losing power entirely. It was the kind of night that reminds you how unpredictable this work can be. But Noelle took it in stride, and she kept going. “I had been on the sidelines of storms before and this was my first time being on the frontlines,” Noelle said. “That plow didn’t want to work at all.” Back in the classroom, Coverdale says Noelle's real-world experience makes her a natural leader among her peers. She's not the loudest voice in the room, but she's the one others look to. "She leads by example," Coverdale said. "If there's a heavy pile that needs to be moved, she's the first person on it. She's not doing it to look cool or to be the person who's right. She just cares about the end product, and the other students respect her for that." The Agriculture program at SRTC has given Noelle additional tools to bring to her work at AHN Landscaping. Plant identification, horticultural science, and a deeper understanding of what she's installing and why have all sharpened the way she communicates with clients. "It gives me more background knowledge and makes me more professional," she said. "Clients want someone who knows what they're doing." Noelle's story is also part of something bigger happening at SRTC, where extended learning opportunities allow students across programs to earn school credit while working in their chosen fields. She is one of many students bridging the classroom and the real world, building skills and experience that will carry them well beyond graduation.

Junior Noelle Dennis Brings Real-World Leadership to SRTC's Agriculture Program

March 12, 2026

When Sanford Regional Technical Center Agriculture Instructor Jennifer Coverdale wants to contact AHN Landscaping, the response usually comes from her own student Noelle Dennis. N...

Sanford Regional Technical Center culinary students made their mark this week, competing for the first time in the Maine State ProStart Competition. The milestone event brought together students from career and technical education centers across the state to showcase their culinary skills and hospitality management knowledge in front of industry judges. SRTC joined fellow competitors from Biddeford Regional Center of Technology and Westbrook Regional Vocational Center, with all three programs earning praise from judges for their impressive performances. Capital Area Technical Center took top honors and will advance to the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, Maryland, representing Maine on the national stage. For SRTC culinary students, this first-ever appearance at the state competition marks an exciting chapter for the program. As the saying goes in competition — participating is winning — and these students demonstrated that the future of hospitality in Maine is in good hands.

Sanford Regional Technical Center Culinary Students Compete in ProStart Maine State Competition

February 26, 2026

Sanford Regional Technical Center culinary students made their mark this week, competing for the first time in the Maine State ProStart Competition. The milestone event brought t...

Sanford Regional Technical Center took center stage at the Maine State Capitol in Augusta during the week of February 9, 2026, as part of a statewide celebration of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. SRTC was among the southern and coastal Maine schools featured on February 12 at the Hall of Flags, a multi-day event that brought together CTE programs from all 27 of Maine's CTE schools, along with community college partners, SkillsUSA, FFA, and other supporters. The gathering gave students, educators, and school leaders the chance to connect with legislators, industry partners, and members of the public through hands-on demonstrations and conversations about the power of career and technical education. A highlight of the day was a speech delivered by SRTC Director Matt Petermann, who addressed Maine leaders and distinguished guests on behalf of the state's CTE community. Petermann celebrated the growth of CTE across Maine — enrollment has now surpassed 11,300 students statewide, the highest number ever recorded — while also making the case for continued investment in programs like SRTC. "CTE connects classroom learning to real careers, builds essential skills, and opens doors to family-sustaining wages right here in Maine," Petermann said. "Many of these CTE schools are the lifeblood of their regions and communities." Petermann used his time at the podium to advocate directly with legislators on issues that hit close to home for schools like SRTC, including new pathways to bring experienced industry professionals into the classroom as teachers, and the urgent need to update aging facilities to meet modern, industry-standard expectations. "When you invest in CTE, you're investing in Maine's workforce, Maine's communities, and Maine's future," Petermann said. "Our students are those workers." SRTC's presence at the Hall of Flags was a proud moment for the Sanford community — a reminder that the work happening here every day is making a real difference for students and for Maine's workforce as a whole. Whether students leave SRTC heading into a career, an apprenticeship, or higher education, the skills and confidence they build here follow them every step of the way.

Sanford Regional Technical Center Represented at Hall of Flags

February 19, 2026

Sanford Regional Technical Center took center stage at the Maine State Capitol in Augusta during the week of February 9, 2026, as part of a statewide celebration of Career and Tec...

Spirit Week for CTE Month at SRTC!

February 13, 2026

Some of the class photos

In its first year, the Sports Medicine program at Sanford Regional Technical Center is opening multiple career pathways at once. Whether students ultimately pursue athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or another healthcare profession, they're building the same essential foundation: anatomy knowledge, injury assessment skills, and real-world clinical experience across diverse healthcare settings. The two-year program combines classroom instruction with authentic clinical experiences that prepare students for competitive healthcare programs. Students learn anatomy and physiology, emergency management, injury prevention and assessment, acute care, basic rehabilitation, and safe return-to-play practices. The curriculum develops critical thinking skills, professional documentation, and communication abilities through both classroom activities and on-field observations. Bella McCall, a senior from Sanford High School, is part of the program's first class. "I wasn't planning on doing an SRTC program until my junior year when I heard that the Sports Medicine program was going to be added," McCall shared. "I am happy that I get the opportunity to be a part of the first year of the class!" The hands-on experiences extend well beyond observation. In the classroom and lab setting, students practice injury evaluation, taping, splinting, basic wound care, suturing, casting, CPR, and first aid. McCall particularly enjoys these practical activities. "I get to learn anatomy to prepare me for college and participate in some cool hands-on activities," she explained. "For example, we learned how to cast on each other's arms and legs. We all signed each other's casts and brought them home." Students also work with instructor Jessie Giordano covering athletic events and shadow professionals at area schools, hospitals, and physical therapy clinics. These real-world clinical opportunities allow students to connect classroom concepts to actual patient care situations, building confidence before they enter college programs. McCall plans to pursue Exercise Science next year "with the hopes of becoming a physical or occupational therapist." All students earn CPR and First Aid certifications and have the opportunity to complete a three-credit dual enrollment Anatomy and Physiology course through a local college. These credentials provide a strong foundation for future healthcare education. Giordano, a Certified Athletic Trainer with 16 years of experience at Sanford High School and MaineHealth, brings extensive expertise to the program. In 2025, she received the Bill Cox Service Award, which recognizes athletic trainers in Maine for enhanced healthcare delivery and significant contributions to the profession. She continues practicing as an athletic trainer, providing coverage for local schools and state tournaments. For Giordano, transitioning from clinical work to classroom teaching has been an adjustment, but a rewarding one. "This is the first time in my life teaching in a classroom setting," she said. Still, watching her students grow has reignited her passion for the field. "The connection between the content in the classroom and being able to see it on actual athletes on field during games is so rewarding to see."

SRTC Program Highlight: Sports Medicine

February 6, 2026

In its first year, the Sports Medicine program at Sanford Regional Technical Center is opening multiple career pathways at once. Whether students ultimately pursue athletic traini...

SRTC Program Highlight: Digital Design

January 30, 2026

Students in Sanford Regional Technical Center's Digital Design program spend their days bringing ideas to life on screen, designing logos, creating digital artwork, and crafting v...

SHS Senior Balances Two Auto Jobs Through Extended Learning Opportunities

January 29, 2026

At 8 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, just as first period is starting at Sanford High School, SHS senior Lucas Barrow is already under the hood at Black Bear Automotive in Springvale. ...

Johnathan Rideout's Design Chosen as Official Brand For The Sanford School Department

January 20, 2026

Johnathan Rideout, a Sanford High School senior in the Sanford Regional Technical Center Digital Design program, never expected to be in the spotlight, but his talent and creativi...

The Sanford Regional Technical Center's café reopened to the public in January, offering community members a chance to enjoy quality meals while supporting hands-on learning for culinary students. Chef Jethro Loichle, in his first year teaching the Culinary Arts program, brings over 30 years of cooking experience to SRTC. "I learned in the field, so I have to show the students how to do it," he explained. His students cook three times daily, preparing meals that help them master essential techniques while serving the community. The café currently operates for lunch service on Wednesdays and Thursdays in January, featuring a French-themed menu with appetizers and desserts at $5 each and entrees for $10. Reservations must be made online through the SRTC website, as phone bookings are not available. The system accommodates parties of one to four people, and the café accepts cash or check only. Lunch service will pause in February and early March while seniors prepare for ProStart and SkillsUSA competitions, but the café will remain open for breakfast service during this time, when juniors will step up to run the morning operation, offering fresh pastries prepared by baking students. Second-year student Finnegan Lee describes the experience as transformative. "This program has already gotten me a job," he said, adding that classmates have landed positions at high-end restaurants in Portsmouth and beyond. Students rotate between front-of-house service and back-of-house cooking, gaining comprehensive hospitality experience. "We're like a small family in the classroom," said Lee, who is one of seven seniors, which includes Jaxson Condon, Jayden Doyle, Bowie McEllin, Sean Rioux, Azure Shrubsall, and Greg Warlo. In the baking and pastry program, second-year student Andre Roy is preparingFrench desserts for the café. "We start completely from scratch," Roy explained. "It was a French-themed menu, so we thought of French desserts and came up with a tart and a pancake. Then it takes about two days to prep." Roy plans to pursue culinary careers. The hands-on experience extends beyond regular service. Warlo, who works at York River Landing, appreciates how the program prepares students for real restaurant environments. "This is definitely a very high-action program," Finnegan explains. "You've got to be on your feet, ready to go." Chef Kristen Perry leads the new Baking and Pastry program, bringing experience from York County Community College and her own bakery in Wells. "Nowhere around here can you get baking and pastry training," she notes. Her students collaborate with culinary arts students, creating a dynamic learning environment where nearly 30 students cook together daily. The café also caters special events throughout the region, with all proceeds supporting student scholarships and program materials.

SRTC Cafe Open For Business

January 20, 2026

The Sanford Regional Technical Center's café reopened to the public in January, offering community members a chance to enjoy quality meals while supporting hands-on learning for c...

The Clock Is Ticking! Admissions for the Fall of 2026 Is Open!!!

January 18, 2026

Ready to take your high school education to the next level? Applications for next school year at the Sanford Regional Technical Center are now open. Check out our programs here:...