Administrative Team

Anna Klein-Christie - Executive Director

Ms. Klein-Christie grew up in Gambier, Ohio, the daughter of a Kenyon College professor and a community activist. After graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, her early career focused on advertising based in Chicago, Paris, and Prague. This experience gave her the foundation to successfully join the nonprofit community as a leader in donor-centric fundraising, program development, public policy, and community engagement. For nearly two decades she has worked for the well-being of youth and families to build healthy communities. She believes that the collective passion, energy, and wisdom of youth can solve apparently intractable problems and that it is incumbent on those in positions of authority to create opportunities for their success.

As the former Executive Director of Rippleffect, she led the expansion of leadership programs from Casco Bay to year-round expeditionary collaborations with Portland area schools. Through the height of the pandemic she worked as the Director of International Development/Director of the US office for Safe Passage, an expeditionary learning school based in the Guatemala City garbage dump community. After working with extraordinary colleagues in Guatemala, Germany, and the United States, she is greatly inspired to collaborate with the team at Baxter Academy to expand the STEM learning community, strengthen educational and employment opportunities for students, and engage brilliant young minds in the work of our shared future.

She loves traveling with her family to destinations near and far, playing with her labrador retriever on the beach, and sharing Czech family traditions with friends.

Cicy Po - Head of School

Cicy Po is the Head of School at Baxter Academy for Technology and Science. She has served students in Boston, MA and Portland, ME in private and public high schools as a science teacher and school leader. She has had the good fortune to work alongside pioneers and school leaders who helped to cultivate communities who can exist justly, with dignity and with hope. She is a Chinese-American immigrant who grew up in Brooklyn and Long Island, NY and earned a BA from Skidmore College, an M.Ed. from Harvard University and an Ed.D. from Boston College. Dr. Po was a biology, chemistry, human anatomy and physiology, and environmental science teacher. She has earned the distinction of Formal Educator of the Year by the New England Environmental Educator’s Association.

Fun facts about Dr. Po: She was a visual arts minor in college, loves her German Shepherd - named Lucy, and keeps red wigglers in her kitchen.

Paul Santamore - Assistant Principal

Laura Parks - Director of Special Education

Laura Parks has over 30 years of special education experience and has worked with all grade levels (K-12) and all disabilities. She received her undergraduate degree from Wheelock College in Boston and her graduate degree from USM in Gorham. Laura has always wanted to teach and work with students to help them achieve their potential. Her goal now is to work with teachers and administrators to develop the best experiences that students can have while addressing their challenges in the area of education.

Laura has been married for over 30 years to her husband, Norm, whom she met when they were both teaching at the same school. She has twin sons and is extremely proud of them: Fred has earned a PhD in organic chemistry and Norman is a staff sergeant in the Air Force in the field of EOD. Laura loves to camp, fish, and try new crafts. She especially loves to quilt.

Favorite Quote: Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become character and character is everything.

And other Key Members of Our Team:

Tyler Beaulieu - Enrollment Manager

Tyler grew up in Caribou, ME, and graduated from the Maine School of Science and Mathematics. He got his Bachelor's in Physics and Astronomy from Alfred University. At Alfred, he spent countless nights at the Stull Observatory and founded the Alfred Boffer Club, organizing intra-campus foam sword battles that attracted as many as 100 students.

His Political Science minor shaped his post-college path into campaign work, including roles with Bernie 2016, the Maine Democratic Party, and the Ohio Democratic Party. Seeking to continue operations work closer to home, Tyler joined Baxter Academy as Operations Manager in 2019, transitioning to Enrollment and Data Manager in 2021. He lives in Lisbon Falls with his wife, son, and two cats.

Fun Facts: Tyler is an Eagle Scout. He enjoys BBQ and cooking for friends. He has driven every available size of U-Haul and only dented one of them. He also thinks he’s funny.

Mary Cardillo - Front Office Manager

Amos Cooper - IT Manager

Mr. Cooper graduated from Gorham High School and studied Broadcast Communications and Film Studies at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. He is now back in Maine, serving as the IT Manager for Baxter Academy.

At Susquehanna University, Mr. Cooper was the Technical Director for the student-run radio station, where he helped keep the station running smoothly and dealt with any computer and audio issues. In addition, he was the treasurer for the Model United Nations Club. He managed all of the club’s funds and organized fundraisers.

Mr. Cooper came to Baxter after doing in-home computer work for clients of Techport, a technology company in Portland. He loves the environment at Baxter, especially how it encourages self-taught learning, critical thinking, and personal responsibility. He is constantly impressed by the outstanding work that students do, especially on their Flex Friday projects.
 

Fun Facts: Mr. Cooper really enjoys playing music, especially the bass guitar. He has been in several bands with friends and plays gigs in pit bands for musicals. In the winter, he loves to snowboard at Sunday River, and in the summer, he enjoys fishing at Pine Point. Mr. Cooper loves to read for pleasure; his favorite authors are Stephen King and Kurt Vonnegut.

Jasmine Holland - Business Manager

Jasmine joined Baxter Academy in January 2024 and currently serves as the school’s Business Manager. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta. Previously, she gained valuable experience in finance while working at a local hospital, where she found fulfillment in assisting patients during challenging times. She resides in Fayette, Maine with her two children, husband, and two Labrador Retrievers. Jasmine is passionate about exploring new destinations with her family, baking, and spending time in the great outdoors.

Fun fact: Jasmine’s favorite season is summer!