Staff > Special Education

Special Education

Billy Wall - Ed Tech III, Robotics

Billy’s first long-term job was as a bench technician for a local radio messaging and in-car phone provider in Jacksonville, FL; by the time he moved on to his second career, he had been an operations engineer and manager for a large portion of the state, the company was called Verizon Wireless Messaging, and the phones fit into pants pockets. After relocating to beautiful, rocky Maine, he got a math degree and teacher training at USM, and began teaching math at Central High School in Corinth, Maine. While there, Billy coached the math team and led other STEM enrichment activities at both the high school and adjacent middle school. Most recently, he taught math and coached the math team at Freeport High School. Billy spends most of his summers working in USM’s STEM camps, and he enjoys hiking year-round. He wishes Baxter Academy had been an option for his (early 30s) daughter and son when they were in high school!

Debra Gagne - Social Worker

With a background in case management, crisis intervention, therapeutic behavior interventions, trauma informed care and addiction there probably isn’t a story Deb hasn’t heard.  Working in special education has been very rewarding and an eye-opening experience.  “Watching students learn about their strengths and challenges, and overcoming any obstacles is very rewarding work.”  Deb is always there to lend an ear or help a student work out a problem.  She feels that the students teach her just as much as she teaches them.  Deb has attended multiple conferences on topics such as autism spectrum disorders, anxiety disorders and supporting lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.  

Deb received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern Maine and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.  Prior to becoming a social worker Deb worked in the business field and was a stay-home mom for many years.  She is forever grateful for having the ability to stay home when her children were little. 

Deb is a proud parent of two teenagers, Sydney and Noah, who attend Biddeford High School. Deb has been married to her patient husband Mike for 25 years.  They are getting ready to send Noah off to college and like many other parents try to “keep it together” when discussing this topic.  Deb admits to being a “helicopter” parent and says “it’s just who I am.”  

Fun Facts: Deb loves gardening, the New England Patriots #TB12, Harry Potter, and fishing with her family.  She tends to get a little competitive when fishing, but says she often wins.  She also loves barbecuing in the summer and watching sunsets.  She encourages everyone to stop by her office anytime for a cup of tea!

Eric Poulin - Special Education Teacher

Eric has been working in the field of special education in various local public school districts since 2008. He received his BA and MS in special education from USM. Along Eric's journey to Baxter, he spent a short stint in Chicago writing and producing a critically acclaimed play with an upstart independent theater company; he performed in multiple local bands; helped start a successful local business; was active in local politics; and hosted a public affairs talk show for which he interviewed luminaries in journalism, activism, economics, and history including Noam Chomsky, Ralph Nader, Bill McKibben and others. Eric currently lives in Windham with his wife, daughter, dog, and two cats, and spends his free time drawing, playing music with friends, and sharing his extensive (and growing) record collection with the greater Portland area via his bi-weekly radio show on WMPG. Eric is thrilled to be a part of the Baxter community.

Savanna Pettengill - Special Education Teacher

Savanna Pettengill has served students in special education in New York City public schools and worked with youth for over seven years. She  holds a BFA in Photography from the Maine College of Art and a Masters of Special Education from City University of New York.

Amber McKenzie - Special Education Teacher

Amber McKenzie grew up in Maine and graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a degree in Secondary Special Education, and a minor in Psychology. She has been working in the field of special education in various local public schools for several years. Alongside teaching, she is a Track & Field coach at a local high school. Amber enjoys working with students in various aspects of education, including learning ASL to support her aspirations of working within the deaf community and those with different communication abilities. In her free time, she likes to go on adventures in nature, make art, spend time with friends and hang out with her pet bunny.

Bryan Wulff - Special Educator

Bryan Wulff is excited to join the Baxter staff starting in the 25-26 school year as a Special Education Teacher. He has spent the last 15 years working in Special Education in public and charter schools around the Boston area, teaching students ranging from 5th to 12th grade. He has most recently worked with seniors and enjoys helping them plan and manage the transition from high school to post-secondary settings. Outside of teaching, Bryan enjoys going on adventures with his wife and 2 kids, playing music with friends, cooking, and reading science fiction. He holds a BA from Colby College in Music, and a MS in Special Education from Lesley University.

Barbara Loux - Social Worker

Barbara has been a clinical social worker for 40 years. She attended Gordon College and Simmons School of Social Work.  Her experience includes case management, agency work, and school social work. She worked in RSU 14 for 18 years and had a private practice at Poland Regional High School for 15 years.  In addition to the private practice, she has been teaching at SMCC and USM as an adjunct professor for many years.  She considers herself a strength-based, trauma therapist and believes that everybody "does the best they can with what they have." She loves working with teenagers and young adults and is passionate about helping them to find their gifts and build their self confidence. 

She now lives in Gray, but has lived in Raymond and Yarmouth as well.  She is married and has raised 5 adult children.  She has 6 grandchildren and loves being a part of their lives. She has dedicated her Fridays to watching grandchildren and feel grateful to be able to do this.   In her down time, she loves jigsaw puzzles, reading, spending time at the family lake house in Casco, caring for her 2 naughty dogs, going to sporting events (her son was a hockey player and she learned to be a "loud" fan of this sport!), and most of all, she is passionate about Zumba!  It is great exercise, and even after dancing for many years, she may not be great, but it brings her joy with every class!