BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 2, 2022
When Robin LaRochelle started as the aquaculture and aquaponics teacher at Jonesport-Beals High School in September, she was excited to network with other teachers in Maine that do what she does. She soon found out there weren’t any. Though other teachers and schools have done strong work to teach aquaculture units or do aquaponics as part of science classes, LaRochelle is believed to be the only full-time high school teacher in the Pine Tree State solely dedicated to the subjects, teaching how to raise tilapia and grow plants in aquaponic systems. It’s a dream job for her and she hopes it opens doors for students and familiarizes them with the growing industries.