Clare Stansberry: Outstanding Graduate Student in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction

Clare Stansberry of Bowdoinham, Maine is the 2026 Outstanding Graduate Student in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction in the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. Stansberry is teacher at the Maine Coast Waldorf School, where she has taught since 2021. Prior to that she taught at a Waldorf school in Idaho. A self-described teaching nerd, who loves learning about how people make sense of the world, outside of the classroom Stansberry enjoys hiking, running and playing all sorts of games. She is earning her Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in CAI with a concentration in High Leverage Practices to Support Inclusion.

Why did you choose 91¸£Àû for graduate school?

I chose 91¸£Àû because I knew other educators who had done 91¸£Àû programs and had positive experiences. I also wanted to do my graduate programs in the state where I live.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91¸£Àû better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at 91¸£Àû?

I have had only positive experiences in my classes. As a full-time remote student, I’m impressed at how the teachers build communities of learners when we can’t be in person!

What advice do you have for incoming graduate students to help them get off to the best start academically?

Graduate school is really about digging into something you are interested in more deeply. I’ve become a better teacher by engaging in deeper learning and thinking about teaching as a practice.

What’s on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate? 

I’m still teaching! This is my 10th year in education and I’m lucky to get to keep doing the work that I love. I’m teaching 7th grade for the first time next year, so I’m curious about what that will bring.