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Charles H. “Chip” Lagerbom received his MA in History/Archaeology from the University of Maine. He has organized surveys of ship remains in Maine lakes, the 1779 Penobscot Expedition and the 17th century English galleon ANGEL GABRIEL off Pemaquid. Two field seasons were spent in Antarctica with University of Maine Quaternary Institute, now Climate Change Institute. He is the author of The Fifth Man (1999), Whaling in Maine (2019), Maine to Cape Horn: The Most Dangerous Journey (2020), and The HERO Way (2025). In addition to AP US History, he teaches Archaeology and co-teaches the Marine Studies Class as part of the Belfast Marine Institute while also frequently speaking on Antarctica, Cape Horn, Maine whaling and New England colonial and maritime history.
clagerbom@rsu71.org
Kimberly Baker is a New York transplant and grew up on the Long Island Sound. She has her BFA in Arts Education from the University of Southern Maine. Graduating from Belfast Area High School, she got to experience the rich art and marine culture that makes up this town. Having the privilege to teach art here, Kimberly enjoys watching students grow in their creativity and ability and is excited to be part of the Marine Institute.
Christopher Audet PE, LATC has been teaching PE and Outdoor education for the past 25 years in both Belfast and Camden. His goal is to help students have a voice and a choice in their learning and instil in them the tools to be life-long learners. When not teaching, he is a Master Maine Sea Kayaking Guide and a Registered Maine Recreation Guide. Chris is also an ACA certified Advanced Open Water Sea Kayak instructor and advanced white water instructor. He holds the British Canoe Union’s 4 star sea leader certification. -WFR certified; -Special Olympics certified track and field coach; -Former Manager of the Jackson Kayak Professional Exploration Team; -Current member of the P&H Custom Kayaks professional paddling team.He is also the lead singer in a Van Halen tribute band.
Genna Black has a BS in Marine Biology from Maine Maritime Academy and a MS in Sustainable Natural Resource Management from Unity College. She teaches Aquaculture for Waldo County Technical Center and science for Belfast Area High School. In addition, she is the self-declared maven of the kelp farm and keeper of the whale bones.
David Thomas has taught high school science in four public high schools in New York, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Maine for over 20 years. He holds a B.S. in limnology (the study of biological, chemical, and physical features of lakes and rivers) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.S. in science education from Cornell University. Dave worked for four years as a research technician in northern Wisconsin and Michigan studying ecological changes as a result of whole-lake fertilization and fish manipulation experiments. He has taught marine studies and environmental research courses at the high school as well as UMaine Hutchinson Center.
Lindsey Schortz has been teaching at BCOPE, RSU 71’s alternative high school program, for the past seven years. She has a BA in Biology from Colby College. After spending multiple summers hiking, biking, canoeing and sailing throughout Maine as a teen, she moved to Maine permanently 23 years ago with her family. Prior to teaching, Lindsey owned a wholesale baking business in Belfast, Let Them Eat Cake. Her two daughters both graduated from Belfast Area High School. An enthusiastic gardener and coordinator of BCOPE’s garden program, Lindsey became enamored with aquaculture after reading, “Eat Like a Fish”, with one of her classes.
Jess Woods was born and raised in mid-coast Maine and graduated from Belfast Area High School in 1997. Jess understands that each student and family has individual goals for post-secondary planning, and works to ensure the right fit is available for every student. Formerly an Assistant Principal at Belfast Area High School and a founding member of the Belfast Marine Institute, she stays involved with BMI in her current role as sophomore Dean of Students at Colby College and a Waldo County Technical Center board member.
Andrew Rayner Andrew Rayner earned his BS in Psychology from Tufts University and M.Ed in Educational Instruction from Lipscomb University. His teaching course-load at BAHS allows him to share his passion for human and animal behavior with students. He believes that experiences outside of the classroom are powerful educational tools that push learning into the forefront of real life. Andrew grew up in suburban Massachusetts, but escaped to his grandfather’s farm in Waldo County any chance he could. After teaching in Nashville, Tennessee for 9 years, Andrew headed north and has been teaching at BAHS for 5 years. Outside of school, he is a Registered Maine Hunting and Fishing Guide and takes any opportunity to be in nature.
Nathan Skvorak grew up in Windham, Maine, and spent lots of time kayaking and fishing on lakes, rivers, and the Maine coast. After graduating from UMO, he headed to Southeast Alaska to sea kayak guide. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard on the Washington and Oregon Coasts as well. Sea kayaking is his primary passion, and he has done several large-scale trips over the years. In 2022, he thru-paddled the Pacific Northwest Inside Passage, a sea route that extends for over 1,000 miles from Washington state to Alaska. He loves the ocean and all of the intricacies that define it.
And last but not least, our students!
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