Brunswick School Department

Phillip J. Potenziano, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
Phone Number: (207)-319-1900
Email: ppotenziano@brunswicksd.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilPotenziano
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brunswickmesup/

Dr. Potenziano began his career in education over 25 years ago in Albuquerque, NM, as a Special Education paraprofessional. He was raised by his mother, who worked in the local textile mill and school cafeteria, and by his father, who worked as a high school custodian, both of whom never completed high school. During his last two years of high school, he lived with a sister and a local family. As a result, he has always been grateful for the support of others to help him reach college, including a guidance counselor who helped him complete the college application.

Dr. Potenziano is in his fourth year as Superintendent of Schools in Brunswick, Maine. He previously served as the Interim Superintendent of RSU 21, one of Maine's highest-performing school systems.

Dr. Potenziano believes in deliberately increasing stakeholder engagement by regularly holding community engagement forums at various locations (Coffee with the BSD).

Some career achievements include an ambitious implementation of a district-wide four-year-old Pre-K program in both the Brunswick School Department and RSU 21 and being a founding member of the Sebago Educational Alliance Day Treatment Program, a coalition of five public school districts. In 2018, he was selected as one of twenty-five educators nationally to participate in the American Association of School Superintendents Aspiring Superintendent Academy.

Past Presentations/Keynotes:

2024 Maine Superintendent/School Board Conference:

Say Something Anonymous Reporting System

Driving Forward: Innovative Approaches to School Bus Safety and Efficiency.

2023 Maine Superintendent/School Board Conference:

Superintendent Student Advisory Council

Keynote Address at the Maine Association for Pupil Transportation - "Know Your Guiding Principles."

Shawn L. Lambert, Assistant Superintendent
Phone Number: (207)-319-1900
Email: slambert@brunswicksd.org

Shawn Lambert is a native of Biddeford, ME. His career in education has included teaching English at high schools in Eastport, Waterville, and Lewiston, leading schools in Lewiston, Bethel, and Livermore Falls, and serving as superintendent director of a career and technical education region in South Paris. Mr. Lambert holds degrees from Colby College, University of Maine, and University of Southern Maine. He has held several related positions including adjunct faculty with the University of New England, Editor of the Journal of Maine Education, and Chair of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Committee on Career and Technical Institutions. He is committed to ensuring students and teachers have the access, tools, and direction they need to find personal and career success and fulfillment.

Suellyn Santiago, Chief Academic Officer
Email: ssantiago@brunswicksd.org

Suellyn Santiago is a native of Portland, Maine, and has spent her twenty-four years in education working in the Portland Public Schools. She began as a special education ed tech, taught first grade, and was a middle school Math and English Language Arts teacher for over ten years. In addition, Suellyn served as an elementary and middle school Assistant Principal and has spent the past eight years as the Principal of Lincoln Middle School.

Suellyn’s parents were both educators. She grew up believing she never wanted to be a teacher but eventually gave in to her passion of working with children and serving diverse communities of learners to advance achievement for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. She is a lifelong learner and has dedicated her career to collaborating with other educators and building and district leaders on school improvement and professional learning in service of equitable outcomes for all students.

Suellyn has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Education from Mount Holyoke College and a Master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine in Educational Leadership. She lives in Portland with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. She loves to read, travel, and spend time with her family and friends.

Dawn Blanchard, Director of Personnel and Finance
Email: dblanchard@brunswicksd.org

Dawn Blanchard has been working in public education since 2005 when she graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a secondary education biology degree. Before coming to work at the Brunswick School Department, Dawn spent eleven years as a middle school principal, superintendent of three districts in the Katahdin Region, and most recently as the assistant superintendent in RSU#3.

Dawn has developed a passion for collaborating with others and working closely with staff. Over the past several years as a district leader, Dawn has found the best way to support the success of students is to ensure that staff are valued, supported, and have the resources necessary to meet their needs.

Dawn earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Maine at Orono and continues to seek learning opportunities to help her within her field. She is currently preparing for her senior certified professional (SCP) certificate from the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Dawn was born and raised in southern Maine and enjoys everything this beautiful state has to offer; camping, being outdoors and being near the water. She loves spending time with her husband and two young children and looks forward to creating memories with them, as she did with her family growing up.

Ruth Joyce, Director of Special Education
Email: rjoyce@brunswicksd.org

Mrs. Joyce began her career in education over 20 years ago right out of college. Ruth has a number of years of experience as a teacher in a variety of roles with the majority being in special education. Early in her career she was a director of a small private school. She has 6 years of special education administration experience. A passion for special education was ignited in Ruth during her teenage years after becoming a regular babysitter for a nonverbal child with profound special needs. This early experience, and others had a profound impact on her understanding of learning and life for all kids, and really set the direction for her career.

Though not born in Maine, and with parents from NJ, she was primarily raised in Auburn, ME. Both of her parents worked in helping professions, her father as a physician and mother as a social worker. They instilled values of caring for people, hard work, education, and curiosity.

Mrs. Joyce holds a masters degree from the University of Southern Maine in Educational Leadership, and an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Maine at Farmington.

Ruth is passionate about special education, leadership, teaching, and equity work. She is committed to supporting Brunswick schools to develop and thrive in order to provide an equitable educational experience for all students. She believes this is achievable through collaboration, genuine value of all school community members, and strong systems.

Rebecca McKarns, Interim Assistant Director of Special Education
Email: rmckarns@brunswicksd.org

Becky McKarns is originally from Northeastern Ohio, having moved to Maine in 2004. She attended the University of Maine at Farmington and earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in social sciences. Becky’s educational career has spanned 15 years with early experience as a Special Needs Preschool Teacher and Behavioral Health Professional. While working in the day treatment setting, Becky also moved into leadership as a BHP Supervisor. During her time as a BHP Supervisor, she took additional college coursework and became certified as a K-12 Special Education Teacher through the University of Maine System. In 2014, Becky joined the Brunswick School Department as a Special Education Resource Teacher. She later also continued with her interest in leadership as the Special Education Department, Instructional Strategist, and most recently Special Education Team Leader. While teaching at BHS, Becky earned a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine in 2019.

Becky truly enjoys learning and expanding her educational craft to support students, staff, parents/guardians, and the Brunswick community. She has a keen, dedicated interest in Special Education and strives to apply that through leadership and work with stakeholders. Becky believes in providing equitable, achievable access to education for all students, supporting staff in retention and development, and adding value to the BSD community. Becky has made Brunswick her home with her husband, daughter, and two cats. Becky’s favorite place in Maine is Popham Beach. She enjoys reading, cultivating tropical house plants, and doing home improvement projects.

Tricia Faulkingham, Director of Educational Technology
Email: tfaulkingham@brunswicksd.org

Tricia Faulkingham joined Brunswick in November of 2020 as the District Technology Integrator. In June of 2022, Tricia became the Director of Technology and Information Systems. Prior to Brunswick, she was the Technology Coordinator for the Wiscasset School Department for over nine years. She has also worked in the Lisbon School Department as well as starting her career at the Bath Regional Career and Technical Center as a Business Education Teacher.

Tricia has worked with technology throughout her 22 years in public education. Her experiences include classroom teacher, tech support, technology integrator, and database administrator. Such diverse work experiences have provided a holistic perspective of how immersed technology is in education today and how integral it is to student success.

Tricia holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Education from the University of Maine at Machias, a Master's degree in Business Education from New Hampshire College, and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Maine at Farmington. She is a National Board Certified Teacher. She lives in Topsham with her dog, Bugz. She enjoys the outside, especially hiking, gardening, and snowmobiling.