Program Director
Dave Durkee has worked in adult education for 28 years as both an educator and administrator. He is currently director of OOB/Saco Adult Education, Sacopee Valley Adult Education, and Biddeford Adult Education. With degrees in English and Secondary Education from the State University of New York, Dave is a lifelong learner and a strong advocate for the importance of education. Dave is committed to offering a wide range of academic, enrichment, and vocational courses to community members and enjoys helping empower students through new educational and career pathways.
Academic Coordinator
Melissa has been working at the Saco Learning Center since 2021. Her position includes teaching High School Diploma Classes, College Transitions Math Classes, Advising, and administration duties. She also has recently developed Multi-Language Learner workforce programs for York County. She recently completed her Master of Science in Adult and Higher Education in 2024 at the University of Southern Maine. She is a lifelong Mainer, and she currently resides in Limington with her husband and her three adult children. Her favorite hobbies are playing baritone saxophone as a volunteer for the Casco Bay Wind Symphony in Gorham, reading, and puzzles!
Student Services Coordinator
Amanda’s role is to assist students in registering for classes and accessing the resources they need to reach their academic goals. Amanda studied Psychology at the University of Maine at Farmington (go Beavers!) and moved to Biddeford after graduation where she now resides with her family including two kids, ages 8 and 10. Amanda has always had a passion for helping others and serving her community. On the weekends, you might catch her coaching one of her kids’ sports teams or showing houses to a real estate client.
HiSET Coordinator
MLL Teacher
Gustavo was born and raised in Venezuela, where he lived and practiced law until five years ago, when he moved to Saco, Maine. Since 2019, Gustavo has been the Spanish Teacher at Biddeford Middle School, and has worked as a MLL teacher during the summer program in the same school. Since 2023, Gustavo has been teaching Spanish for adults at the Saco Learning Center, and now has joined the adult MLL program, teaching a class during the evenings. Gustavo loves to ski, read history, and enjoy the wonderful outdoors that Maine has to offer.
Academic Instructor
Bo has taught from kindergarten through high school and Adult Education. With a Masters in Literacy Education from USM and a MA in Progressive Education from Goddard, he is a lifelong learner who enjoys teaching and learning with his students. Bo currently teaches English for English Language Learners and English Speaking & Pronunciation at the Saco Learning Center.
HiSET Tutor /
Citizenship Instructor
Since retiring in 2015 from a 32+ year career in the energy and aerospace industries, Mike has been teaching and tutoring High School test prep (GED & HiSet) and math at a community college and the Saco Learning Center. He focuses on critical thinking, self-confidence when taking the HiSET, and how to pass the tests. He also facilitates a review class for the History and Civics tests as a part of the Naturalization/Citizenship process.
Alternative Education
Teacher
Mark Koerber is an obsessive, life long learner with undergraduate degrees in English and Speech/Theatre (BA) and Studio Art (BFA). Additionally, he spent over five years in graduate studies in Humanities through Cal State and University of Texas at Dallas. He has completed graduate training in Addictions Counseling, Life Coaching, and Theology. His passion is learning, sharing, and teaching at the intersection of disparate academic disciplines. He brings to the Alt Ed program experience in corporate training, adult enrichment education, special education (grades 6-8) and behavior management.
