FARMINGTON — Stephen Riitano, a freshman at the University of Maine at Farmington, wants to look ahead and know more about what to expect as a teacher — so he invited his former teachers to speak. 

Bangor High School teachers Catherine Gordon and Joe Pelletier are coming to UMF to share their views on teaching and what students can do to better themselves for positions in teaching or other occupations, he said.

The event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, in Thomas Auditorium on the UMF campus.

Gordon gained national attention in December after a Bangor principal ordered her to remove a pink Christmas tree from her classroom. Riitano decided to invite her after reading an article she wrote for The Maine Wire about how education has changed over her 30 years of teaching, he said.

New educational programs nationwide have resulted in some low morale among teachers, but there are still some very rewarding sides to teaching, he said. He feels this opportunity will help would-be teachers.

“It is good to know all aspects of what you are getting into,” he said. “These are the veterans in the job now and they know what to expect.”

The program is also about what young people can do to better themselves, whatever their occupation, he said. It is to help them look ahead and do things now that will be beneficial in obtaining future employment.

Riitano said he’s not waiting until his junior or senior year to experience teaching. Most of his semester break in January was spent volunteering at Bangor High School, where he used to be a student.

“I believe the more you get into the classroom, the better off you are going to be,” he said. 

Obtaining employment is also about networking — getting to know people and making them aware of your capabilities, he said.

Riitano is working with volunteer coordinators at UMF and local schools to create a list of local volunteer and networking opportunities to share. He is focusing on those that help students get out and do things that will help them, build their resumes and prepare them to apply for a job.

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