Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Welcome to Island Sail 2007


Hello! It is just about time to unfurl the sails and launch into another summer of sailing at Island Sail. My name is Mark Arnold and I am the new Program Director for the sailing school. I hope our veteran sailing school instructors are as excited as I am to get things rolling and are eager to improve and expand on the new US Sailing curriculum. As the new director, my primary goal is to provide leadership and focus on implementation of the US Sailing instructional program, building on the foundations that were started last season. Together I will be working with our instructors to add unique character and experiences to our program in Vinalhaven. Participants can expect a challenging and rewarding learning experience - mixed with lots of fun and achievement.

A bit about me: I am originally from Traverse City, Michigan - a place with many similarities to the Gulf of Maine area. Growing up I spent summers in and around the Great Lakes and was an avid sailer and windsurfer. I worked for and ran a boat charter and rental business in the summer, for nearly a decade, after graduating from high school in 1986. I received my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Education from the University of Michigan and earned my Master's degree in Educational Technology and Instructional Design from Michigan State University. I have been a professional educator, coach, and educational consultant for the past 12 years. My wife, Deborah, is also a professional educator and she will be around to help out at the Sailing School this summer.

We moved to Maine, from Vermont, last summer and work for the Deer Isle - Stonington Schools. I am an educational technology specialist and work to help educators apply technology and transform instructional practice. We live in Ellsworth and are looking forward to our summer at sea!

This summer I will work closely with our instructors to advance development of the Island Sail program and make it unique and rewarding experience, where participants learn, grow, and develop skills that will encourage a love for sailing and seamanship. We will work together to make it a time full of smiles and pride in facing challenges and developing the type of character that is associated with effort and achievement.

As the summer sessions progress, check back, our instructors and I will be posting b-log entries that will share experiences and accomplishments. I look forward to meeting everyone and hope it will be summer full of fun and unforgettable memories for all!

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