LIVERMORE FALLS – SAD 36 Superintendent Terry Despres picked potatoes, worked in lumber mills and shined shoes to make his “dollars and cents” to help pay for college as a young man in Aroostook County.
When Despres, 59, started out, he was a science and math major but wasn’t quite sure what career he would pursue.
It was between pharmacology and teaching, Despres said Tuesday, as he sat in his office.
At the time, he had a very strong teacher as a mentor, Caroline Morris, who moved him toward teaching, he said.
Morris, a leader in education, recruited Despres to the Future Teachers of America Club and it was on a club outing that the deal was cemented, he said.
He would become a teacher, a principal, a superintendent and a well-known leader in education at the state level.
But the journey wasn’t always smooth going.
He had just turned 25 when his first wife, Althea, was killed in a car accident and he was suddenly faced with raising a 4-year-old daughter, Michelle. The two survived the trying times and have a very, special bond, he said.
He went on to get a master’s degree and found another love through the years and married his second wife, Jayne.
Despres has five children and three grandchildren.
He left education at one time for seven years and opened three building and hardware businesses in three different towns in Aroostook County.
He was lured back to education after a teacher had a heart attack, and he was recruited to help.
He then started selling his businesses and returned to education full time.
“I think I’m in the career I was meant to be in,” Despres said.
His time in the business world was good training for education and where he is in his career, he said.
Despres is leading two school systems – SAD 36 and Winthrop – to help taxpayers save money and put more money into the classrooms.
He was recognized last year by Department of Education Commissioner Susan Gendron for his leadership and work in education.
Despres is also instrumental in leading the way to help bring more cost-saving measures to other school districts and to deliver more joint services to students.
With all of his obligations, his fun times have been limited in recent years.
When he was younger, he played guitar, drums and trumpet and softball in a summer league.
One of his favorite ways these days to relax, he said, “is taking time to spend a few hours in the great side of Maine, the outdoors.”
He said he’s a people-person and he enjoys company, laughter and friendship and watching people interact.
He and his wife also love doing things to surprise people, who they know are going through tough situations.
Despres said he is also very involved in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Augusta.
“I’m a lector there. I have a close affiliation with church family,” Despres said.
Despres is in his 20th year as a top administrator and still takes courses every summer to further his education.
“A lot of people don’t realize superintendents work all year-round and summertime is the busiest time of the year,” he said.
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