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By AMY CALDER
Staff Writer Tuesday, June 19, 2007

That often means ensuring they get essential medical care by contacting doctors, dentists and mental health providers, say those who know her.

As school nurse for Waterville Senior High School, Bouchard guides students through the process of enrolling in MaineCare, schedules appointments and drives them to medical appointments before, during and after school.

"She's just outstanding," School Superintendent Eric L. Haley said Monday. "She goes far above and beyond what is expected of her."

Bouchard was honored by the Board of Education Monday night for being the recipient of a 2007 Commissioner's Recognition Award, given annually by the state Department of Education to people who have made a significant contribution to meeting the needs of at-risk students.

She received the award May 24 at the Blaine House in Augusta during a ceremony that included officials from the Office of Truancy, Dropout and Alternative Education.

Pamela Mattos, director of Waterville's Alternative School and a recipient of a Commissioner's Award last year, recommended to the local At-Risk/Dropout Prevention Committee that Bouchard be nominated for the award. The committee agreed.

Mattos, a member of that committee, wrote in a letter dated April 1 that Bouchard comes to the alternative school without hesitation when she learns a student is feeling ill, meets with students to give them medical information and/or medication, works with Mattos to help make resources available to students who have no other advocate and helps connect students with a dental clinic.

"Many of our students, and their children as well, are now able to receive two cleanings a year, as well as treatment from a dentist, should it be needed," Mattos' letter says. "Ann goes far beyond her job description and works tirelessly making calls and driving students to appointments for medical treatment."

Bouchard started working as a volunteer for the school system several years ago and became school nurse in 2001. She credits the people in Waterville schools with making it possible for her to help students.

"I said at the (awards) ceremony that I work in a school where the guidance department and the administration of the school allow those who are able to make interventions happen do what they can do," she said.

Bouchard was surprised to learn she was chosen for the award and honored that her colleagues who are educators went out of their way to fill out paperwork to nominate her.

"It's kind of humbling that they took the time to do that," she said. "It feels good, when you're not an educator, per se, that people involved you as part of the team. That reflects exactly the way it is to work there."

Bouchard grew up in Berlin, N.H., received her nursing degree at Boston College and afterward, her master's. She was an oncology nurse in the late 1970s and worked in oncology in the Air Force. She was chosen to go to flight school, got her wings to be a flight nurse, and later, was a flight nurse in the New York Air National Guard.

She currently is enrolled in graduate school at the University of Southern Maine, pursuing a degree in leadership studies.

Bouchard also is liaison for Girls and Boys State, working with both students and the American Legion. Mattos' husband, Joe Mattos, assistant superintendent of Waterville schools, said Bouchard constantly is advocating for kids.

"She doesn't take no for an answer," he said.

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