Lewiston Adult Education teacher Irina Petranek, left, welcomed Carlene Tremblay of U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ Lewiston office to the Adult Learning Center on Thursday for a tour.
A member of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ office met Lewiston Adult Education students and teachers on Thursday morning thanks to an invitation from an award-winning teacher.
Sen. Collins sent a letter last summer congratulating Petranek on being named teacher of the year at the Maine Adult Education Association’s June conference at the University of Maine at Orono. Petranek invited Collins to visit the Adult Learning Center but she could not attend because of her schedule.
Carlene Tremblay, a state office representative for Collins, visited the Adult Learning Center in her place. The learning center is located in the basement of Longley School.
Lewiston Adult Education Director Bill Grant, Adult Learning Center Coordinator Laurie Champagne and many students met Tremblay. The Adult Learning Center offers English language lessons, citizenship classes and the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET).
Petranek teaches English as a Second Language. She joined Lewiston Adult Education in 2011. Petranek was born in Dzhambul, Kazakhstan, and is a graduate of Lipetsk State Pedagogical University in Lipetsk, Russia. Petranek moved to the United States in 2002.
Lewiston Adult Education Director Bill Grant, right, talks to Carlene Tremblay of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ Lewiston office during a visit to the Adult Learning Center Thursday morning. Lewiston Adult Education teacher Irina Petranek stands to the left.