How One Woman’s Journey is Changing School Attendance in Maine 🎒✨

Welcome to the inspiring world of Jess Anderson, a devoted mother, educator, and nonprofit director making waves in Maine’s school attendance! 🌟 Jess is the director of Count Me In, a nonprofit focused on improving attendance in Maine schools — because every student deserves a chance to show up and shine.

From Adirondack Bus Rides to Maine’s Classrooms 🚌🏞️

Jess grew up in the rural Adirondacks of upstate New York, where her daily school bus ride took over an hour each way! Imagine that—first on, last off, riding through a patchwork of stops just to get to school. 🚍 But this long commute wasn’t just about getting from point A to B. It shaped her early connection to education and the caring teachers who made a difference in her life.

After college with a psychology degree in hand, Jess found herself teaching at a Catholic boarding school where teachers were “triple threats”: they lived in dorms, coached sports, and taught classes! 🏃‍♀️🏐 Jess herself coached track and cross country, juggling teaching with athletics — talk about multitasking!

When starting a family, Jess and her husband moved to mid-coast Maine, where she transitioned into special education work, focusing on kids with complex needs.

Understanding the Challenges Behind Absences 📚💔

Jess quickly noticed how tricky attendance can be — especially for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) who face bigger hurdles in accessing education. These students often miss school for many reasons: illness, family struggles, lack of transportation, or needing to care for siblings. Sometimes it’s not a matter of “not wanting” to attend but “not being able” to.

The pandemic only made things worse. Before COVID, about 1 in 6 students missed three or more weeks of school yearly. Now? That number has doubled to nearly 1 in 3 in some places! 😔 Missing that much school can add up to an entire lost year of learning over time — a tough mountain to climb.

“Chronic absenteeism… was an indicator of risk, so students who were chronically absent in first grade, second grade, third grade, were more likely to drop out of school.”

“You can imagine, over 10 years, a student would accumulate a full year of missed learning opportunity. That's a lot.”

Why School Attendance Matters — Beyond Just the Books 📖🤝

It’s more than just academics. Jess emphasizes the importance of connection and belonging that happens in the classroom, lunchroom, and playground — moments you just can’t replicate online. Learning is social, emotional, and interactive.

Students who fall behind because of missed days often feel overwhelmed and disconnected, making it even harder to return. Jess’s simple but powerful approach? Reach out with care. Send a message: “I missed you today.” Help students catch up academically and socially with a peer buddy who can explain the new recess rules or friend dynamics.

Tackling the Bigger Picture: Community & Resources 🏘️🔍

Count Me In isn’t just about individual students. It’s about looking at the whole ecosystem — families, schools, and communities. Schools face different challenges based on location and resources. Rural or urban, the issue crosses all lines, though socioeconomic status often plays a big role.

For example, families making less money might struggle with health care access, transportation, or housing instability, which all affect a child’s ability to attend school regularly. Jess works with schools to build systems of connection that welcome every family and student, offering tailored support when needed.

On the importance of connection and belonging:

• “You'll show up when it matters. And so a huge piece of improving attendance is understanding… What do our students need to feel like they can be successful?”

• “It’s really hard to show up when you don't feel seen. It's really hard to show up when you speak up and it doesn't seem like anybody hears you or cares what you say.”

On social-emotional learning (SEL) and Kikori:

• “If we say we have kids who aren't comfortable communicating with their peers… we have to figure out how we bring some of those opportunities into the classroom, because if we're not explicitly teaching it, we can't just assume the student's going to learn it.”

• “Using having a classroom meeting or similar structure where every student gets to share is such a powerful way for them to build relationship.”

• “These small opportunities to do a silly game, to play together, are really powerful because they plant seeds of relationship… it takes about 10 positive interactions with somebody before we can build trust or feel comfortable.”

• “We have to be able to provide that container for them to help them feel comfortable. It provides predictability and routine… those are foundational to improving attendance.”

On the historical context of SEL:

• “In the 80s and 90s, it was called character education… thinking things like leadership and teamwork, and those are some of the same pieces we talk about when we talk about social-emotional learning.”

Changing the Story, One Student at a Time 💪❤️

Jess’s passion shines through in her belief that attendance isn’t just a number — it’s a lifeline to opportunity, connection, and growth. By understanding the many layers behind absenteeism and approaching each child with empathy and practical solutions, Count Me In is helping students reclaim their right to learn and belong.

In a world where kids face more challenges than ever, Jess Anderson’s story reminds us that with kindness, understanding, and community support, every student can be counted in — and every day counts. 🌈📅

About Jess

Jess Anderson became our Executive Director in March 2022, bringing two decades of experience across traditional and alternative education settings. A graduate of Hamilton College (2002), she holds a Master of Education from Plymouth State University with a focus on Experiential Learning and Human Development. She is a life-long learner and has also earned certificates in Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports and Restorative Practices. Jess is a Special Education teacher, Emergency Medical Technician, and Wilderness First Responder.

She is also the co-author of Kindness & Respect: An Experiential Approach to Social Emotional Learning, reflecting her commitment to meaningful, relationship-centered education. Outside of work, Jess enjoys nonfiction books and outdoor adventures—especially those that involve a scenic trail and a good bakery. She lives in a log cabin in Dresden, Maine, with her partner, their son, and two cats.

For anyone curious about tackling chronic absenteeism, Jess recommends checking out Attendance Works, a national organization leading this mission beyond Maine.

Feeling inspired? Drop a comment below on what attendance means to you or share a story about a teacher or mentor who made school feel like a home! 💬✨