PARIS – Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School social studies teacher Craig Blanchard received the Mary Lou Burns educational service award Tuesday for his global vision.

SAD 17 Superintendent Mark Eastman announced the honor during the opening-day assembly for staff. Burns, Eastman and school board Chairman Ron Kugell of Oxford made the presentation.

The majority of the 3,600 students start classes today, while those in grades seven and nine and some kindergarten pupils will start Thursday.

“I’m really excited,” Blanchard said about starting his 13th year at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

He was recognized for his work not only in redefining the sophomore social studies curriculum, but also for his initiative in building a relationship between the United States and China. His first trip there was in 2002. Since then, students and teachers have been to China, largely funded through grants from the Freeman Foundation, a New York-based organization whose goal is to foster relationships between the United States and Far Eastern countries.

This past school year, Blanchard led another trip with Eastman, administrators and teachers to negotiate Maine’s first teacher exchange from China. Next month, Linda Yang Nina will come to the Oxford Hills School District to teach students the Chinese language and culture. In January, Oxford Hills high school teacher Jason Long will travel to China to teach English.

“He’s been a real asset,” Eastman said. He noted Blanchard’s vision in developing the program and his ability to make his students and others share and understand his global vision.

“His colleagues and the selection committee recognize that,” said Eastman of those who nominated Blanchard for the award.

Blanchard is working on a master’s degree in Asian studies.

The Mary Lou Burns educational award goes to a teacher, staff member or community member for their years of service and exemplary work, and for being a lifelong learner. It was established in 2000 to honor Burns, of Paris, who retired in 1999 after 41 years with SAD 17 as a teacher, principal and personnel director.

Blanchard is the eighth recipient.

Like other teachers throughout the system, he spent Tuesday attending meetings in preparation for today’s school opening.

“It’s a new beginning and a new batch of kids,” Blanchard said. It’s also some new teachers and staff members at Oxford Hills high and middle schools, both in Paris.

The Oxford Hills Middle School will welcome Erin Morrison and Andrea Askendunn. Morrison will teach eighth-grade social studies. A former substitute and coach at the high school, she has a degree in history from Clark University.

Askendunn graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in French literature and has a master’s degree in art. She taught in SAD 61 in Naples years ago before taking time to raise her children. During that time, she volunteered in the SAD 17’s Learning Opportunity for Our Kids program. She is returning to her teaching career now that her children are in high school.

Also new at the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School will be Jennifer Carter, a Latin teacher, who received her degree from the University of Maine in Orono with a major in Latin and a concentration in classical studies. She has taught Latin at Hampden Academy for two years.

Caleb Collins will be English teacher at the high school. He has a degree in secondary English education from the University of Maine at Farmington. He did his student teaching at Biddeford High School and will be working with grades 11 and 12.

Linda Cronkite will be the high school’s special education teacher. She received her master’s degree in education leadership from the University of Southern Maine. She has 16 years of special education experience working with students in grades two through 12 and three years as director of special services in Fort Fairfield.

James Wells will serve as part-time gifted and talented teacher at the high school. Wells received his degree in geography from Kingston University in England and has a certificate of postgraduate studies from the University of London. He has been a social studies teacher at the high school since 2001.

Editor’s note: Due to space limitations in today’s edition, the new staff members for elementary schools and adult education, and other positions in the district will be published in Thursday’s paper.