Charles Major, known to everyone as “Tony”, is the Y’s Child Development Manager. He has a wonderful favorite quote to share: “He drew a circle that shut me out – heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But Love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle that took him in!”
It is obvious that Tony has a deep and abiding affection for the English language so it is no surprise that teachers were his early mentors and that he is trained to teach English as a Foreign Language. Education is Tony’s passion and the focus of his college and professional career. With a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, advanced studies in Early Literacy, and extensive training in supporting neurodivergent populations, Tony has been an Ed Tech, a Reading Recovery Teacher, Site Director for a private before and after school program, and Program Director at Camp Roosevelt, a scout camp in Orono, Maine.
Tony manages the Y’s Early Education & Childcare program. He trains staff, oversees classroom operations, communicates with parents, coordinates with other Y departments, and enjoys spending lots of time with the Y’s preschoolers. “I love working at the Y because it feels like a family atmosphere,” he says. “I love the people I work with and I look forward to coming to work each day. Every day I get the opportunity to be part of such a welcoming environment and to give back to the communities and populations we serve.”
Growing up in Orono, Tony learned to swim at the Bangor Region YMCA. In addition to teachers, he cites his parents and the Scouts as his biggest influence. “I was a youth member of the Boy Scouts,” he recalls. “A large portion of why I became an educator is to give back to future youth in the same way.” His favorite Y core value is Caring. “I believe that Caring serves as a foundation for all of our other values. If one cares about others, one is respectful to them, honest with them, and is responsible in their duties towards others,” he says. “Caring is the bedrock of all that we do.”
Tony loves cooking, baking, reading and relaxing with a movie. He also likes to hike, swim and camp. The next time you see Tony, look him in the eye because the one thing you might not know is that “One of my eyes has a crescent moon shaped pupil!”