Maine DOE Update – July 31, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education News & Updates Maine DOE Annual Summit Brings Maine Educators Together for a Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Inspiration Educators, school leaders, and education partners from across Maine gathered at Thomas College in Waterville on July 29 for the 2026 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Annual Summit, kicking off…

Maine DOE Annual Summit Brings Maine Educators Together for a Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Inspiration

Educators, school leaders, and education partners from across Maine gathered at Thomas College in Waterville on July 29 for the 2026 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Annual Summit, kicking off the three-day ElevatED professional learning experience with a day centered on collaboration, innovation, and practical strategies to support students across the state. The Summit was…

New Regional ELO Program Is Growing Tomorrow’s Real Estate Professionals

Students in the southern Maine regional ELO real estate program gather for a group picture. A new regional Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) pilot has given students in southern Maine a firsthand look at careers in real estate, demonstrating how strategic partnerships between schools and local businesses can expand career-connected learning opportunities across several school districts…

Calais Elementary Summer Program Demonstrates the Power of High-Quality Summer Learning

A Calais Elementary Summer Program student holds a lobster during an educational excursion to Eastport with the Eastport Windjammers. This summer, Calais Elementary School demonstrated what is possible when evidence-based instruction, strong community partnerships, and engaging learning experiences come together to support student success. Maine Department of Education (DOE) Associate Commissioner Fortin-Trimble recently visited the…

Lewiston High School Teacher Donna Olsen Named 2026 Maine History Teacher of the Year

Donna Olsen, a teacher at Lewiston High School, has been named the 2026 Maine History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Since 2004, the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s History Teacher of the Year recognition program has recognized exceptional K-12 educators for their remarkable work in teaching American history. The program…

Space Week Maine 2026: Inspiring the Next Generation of Explorers

At its best, education does more than transfer knowledge; it sparks wonder. That spirit was alive across the state throughout Space Week Maine 2026 this spring, as classrooms, auditoriums, and learning spaces were transformed into launchpads for discovery—not by rockets alone but by curiosity. At the heart of Space Week is Sharon Eggleston, founder of…

Bruce Whittier Middle School Students Put Fire Science Skills to the Test in 15th Season of ‘MidKnight FireSlayers’

This spring, the Bruce M. Whittier Middle School “MidKnight FireSlayers” celebrated the completion of their 15th season in partnership with Poland Fire Rescue. The MidKnight FireSlayers program provides middle school students with hands-on learning experiences in fire safety and fire science, guided by a dedicated team of firefighters and educators. Throughout the season, students participated…

Presque Isle High School Pathways Program Supports Student Success Through Alternative Education

Students from Presque Isle High School’s Pathways Program participate in a spring cleanup at Mantle Lake Park in Presque Isle. Presque Isle High School’s Pathways Program, part of MSAD 1, is an alternative education program that serves students in grades 9-12 from Presque Isle, Mapleton, Chapman, Castle Hill, and Westfield. The program provides a safe,…

Cultivating Belonging: 2026 Maine DOE Annual Summit to Highlight a New Chapter for Maine’s BIPOC Educator Network

When educators experience belonging, they are better equipped to create learning environments where students also experience belonging. That simple but powerful idea is guiding the next chapter of Maine’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Educator Network—an independent, educator-led community that creates opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and other educators of color to connect, grow,…

See more