Kayla Sikora
Director | Dr. Kayla Sikora is a highly accomplished educator, recently awarded her Doctorate in Education from the prestigious University of New England. Her dedication to the field of education has been unwavering, and she firmly believes that education is a lifelong journey. Dr. Sikora holds a Bachelor's Degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies, a Master's Degree in Adult and Higher Education, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Adult Learning, and has recently completed her Degree of Doctor of Education through the University of New England. Having accumulated over a decade of experience in adult education, Dr. Sikora's passion lies in helping students reach their full potential and achieve their goals. She firmly believes in the transformative power of education and encourages lifelong learning in all aspects of life. Her profound understanding of adult education, coupled with her compassionate approach, enables her to make a significant impact on the lives of her students. Her vision is to empower learners, making education accessible and rewarding for all, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances.
Kelli Gilzow Stowell
Program Coordinator | Kelli has an Associate’s degree in Business Administration from CMCC, a Leadership & Organizational Studies Bachelor’s degree from University of Southern with a minor in Business Administration from the USM School of Business. Kelli is a currently working on her Master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education. Kelli is also an entrepreneur and small business owner. A mother of 2, a Coaches’ wife, an Outdoor Educator, and Coordinator of all of life’s chaos. Kelli is a lifelong learner purposefully living each day intentionally and passionately sharing this message with those around her.
Sydney Bolduc
Academic Advisor | Sydney earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mental Health and Human Services at the University of Maine in Augusta. She previously worked as a Behavioral Health Professional (BHP) and Direct Support Professional (DSP). Sydney enjoys helping students find the pathway that best suits them and allows them to achieve their goals. She always has free stickers for students in her office.
Sylvie Charron
Academic Instructor | Sylvie Charron holds a diploma in ESL from the University of Edinburgh and a B.A. and M.A. in ESL from the Sorbonne. She also holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in French Language and Literature from the University of Wisconsin. She was Professor of French at the University of Maine at Farmington for 25 years where she directed the International Studies program. For ten years, she and Professor Linda Britt conducted seminars in pedagogy for practicing foreign language teachers. For years, she served on the Foreign Language Association of Maine board and state commissions where she advocated for the study of foreign languages in K-12. In 2016, she was honored with FLAME’s Solange Bernier Lifetime Achievement Award. Her publications have focused on George Sand, Tahar Ben Jelloun, and Maine Franco-American literature. With Sue Huseman, she co-translated Sand’s The Marquise and Pauline, Ben Jelloun’s Grapes of Despair, and Canuck by Camille Lessard-Bissonnette. Since 2015, She has been teaching ESL to new immigrants at the Augusta Adult Education Program. She loves interacting with students from different cultures and helping them learn about American language and culture.
Kenlyn Clark
Academic Instructor | Kenlyn Clark believes that learning has no age limit. She is dedicated to helping students grow in knowledge and as individuals. She teaches Digital Literacy, Personal Finance, and tutors HiSET students. She also does Workforce Development training and oversees Credit Recovery students for the local high school. Before AACE, she taught business math and science at a charter Arts high school. She was also a traveling teacher teaching all subjects for a charter high school program devoted to reaching “school-resistant” students, many of whom had suffered trauma at a traditional school. Before that, she tutored Math and Science at a regional community college. That is where her desire to support the learning journey of adult learners was first sparked. Kenlyn has a B.S. in Mass Communication from the University of Iowa, an M.S. in Soil Science from the University of Illinois, and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from the University of Maine Augusta.
Gabrielle Farias
Academic Instructor | Gabrielle Farias Gabrielle has worked with Multilingual Learners for ten years both in and out of the country. She teaches English, HiSET, and English to our Multilingual Learners. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Sciences Disorders from the University of Maine, a Master’s in TESOL, and a specialty in pronunciation from the University of Southern Maine. She is passionate about neuroscience and its connections within the classroom, specifically, around humor in the brain and how it relates to memory recall. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Liz Johnson
Academic Instructor | Liz Johnson is an enthusiastic, energetic teacher with over 15 years of experience in education. She earned a Bachelor of Art degree in Visual Art from Johnson State College and continued her studies in Mathematics at the University of Maine at Augusta. She teaches Math and Art and enjoys working with students with varied ages, backgrounds and abilities. She is passionate about helping students make connections between academic subject matter and their everyday lives. Liz was recently awarded the John B. Forster Award. This award recognizes a staff member who show their outstanding dedication to their students.
Melody Doody
Administrative Assistant | Mel had been the evening secretary for AACE for 20 years and is now our Administrative Assistant. She is known by learners past and present as "the one with the colorful hair" and the friendly face that greets them when they first come through the door. Mel was a learner at AACE in the Certificate Program, completing it in 2001. Mel is known as the "data plunker," meaning she makes sure the data on the backend is accurate and helps the program run efficiently. Mel helps learners find their room, connect with their teacher, and get the information they need to succeed.
Shelley McGowan
Administrative Assistant | Shelley has been working in the field of education for over twenty-five years. She loves to help bring order to the learning environment by supporting staff and students however she can. Shelley loves being on a team that helps students continue to learn and grow, preparing them for work and life. She strongly believes that we never stop learning and must strive for excellence in all we do.
Tom Renckens
Academic Instructor | Tom has worked for Augusta Adult and Community Education for over a decade! He teaches HiSET Prep in all subjects here at AACE and at the Kennebec County Correctional Facility. Tom has worked in education for 25 years. He worked as a Special Education Alternative Teacher and has taught in a Behavior Day Treatment program for grades 7-12. He has worked with Adult Education as a History/Civics teacher and HiSET instructor. Tom tells Dad jokes to anyone that will listen. If he asks you a random question - RUN- run as fast as you can! You can bet a bad joke is coming!!!
Tracy Weber
Academic Instructor, ELL | Tracy is our English Language Learner Instructor. She has a bachelor's degree in Horticulture & Agronomy and a master's in Literacy Education. She can't imagine her life without books!
