Welcome to the October issue of the Maine DOE Monthly.
This month, the Department had the honor of announcing Jennifer Dorman as the 2015 Maine Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Dorman, who dreamed of being a teacher since her very first day of Kindergarten, has been a special educator in Somerset County schools for two decades, most recently at Skowhegan Area Middle School. Though there is only one official Maine Teacher of the Year, there are thousands of excellent educators deserving of our recognition and gratitude. On behalf of Governor LePage and the entire Maine DOE, the Department wants to again congratulate Mrs. Dorman and thank her and so many other incredible Maine teachers for the positive role they play in improving our children’s lives and our state’s future.
Also this month, the Department continued its support of schools in their implementation of systems that will support the awarding of proficiency-based diplomas starting in 2018, including providing guidance on world language proficiency, sharing strategies for how English language learners can demonstrate proficiency and affirming the expectation of all standards, all students.
Read on for a roundup of other recent updates from the Department and stay tuned to our Newsroom and weekly Commissioner’s Updates for the latest news you can use from the Maine DOE.
Dispatches & Press Releases
Longtime Skowhegan special educator Maine’s 2015 Teacher of the Year
In a surprise all-school assembly, Maine Education Commissioner Jim Rier announced Skowhegan Area Middle School’s Jennifer Dorman as Maine’s top teacher. | More
Commissioner Rier celebrates learning technology educators
Maine’s Education Commissioner Jim Rier thanks technology educators for enhancing the educational environment for our students and better preparing them for success in 21st century college and careers. | More
Department affirms expectation of all standards, all students
A free appropriate public education must include support to allow students with disabilities to achieve the same high standards as other students. | More
Education Commissioner visits Bangor schools
Maine’s Education Commissioner spent a day in the classrooms of the state’s third largest school district to see how proficiency-based education is transforming teaching and learning there. | More
Maine DOE hosts free workshops for world languages educators
The Maine DOE will be again offering free regional workshops for world language teachers statewide. | More
Maine DOE offers strategies to help ELLs demonstrate proficiency
All students in Maine, including English language learners, will need to demonstrate proficiency of both State learning standards and the Guiding Principles in order to graduate beginning in 2018. | More
Maine DOE provides guidance on world language proficiency
The Maine DOE has recently published guidance on what constitutes proficiency in a world language. | More
Turner Elementary named Maine’s National Blue Ribbon School
Turner Elementary School in MSAD 52 is one of 287 public schools across the country to be named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School for high levels of student achievement. | More
Mid-Maine Technical Center receives SHAPE award for safety
Maine Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette announced that the Mid-Maine Technical Center has earned the Safety and Health Award for Public Employers (SHAPE). | More
Maine DOE showcases student artwork
The work of student artists from three Maine schools will be displayed at the Maine DOE’s office in Augusta throughout the coming year. | More
Portland principal wins $100,000 for school
Casco Bay High School Principal Derek Pierce has won the Nellie Mae Education Foundation’s 3rd Annual Larry O’Toole Award. | More