Last week, both chambers of the Legislature enacted legislation that helps teachers grow professionally by requiring regular, fair and constructive performance evaluations based on consistent, statewide standards. The legislation also requires that teachers’ professional development and ongoing training be informed by the results of their evaluations.
And on Tuesday, we had a chance to celebrate eight outstanding teachers who have been nominated for the honor of 2013 Teacher of the Year in a State House ceremony. We can learn a lot about good teaching from these eight teachers, who are representative of the thousands of excellent educators in Maine.
This week’s update includes information about the Teacher of the Year nominees and details about last week’s legislation, An Act to Ensure Effective Teaching and School Leadership.
Please note: There will be no Commissioner’s Update on April 19. The next Update will be published April 26. Have a pleasant vacation!
— Stephen Bowen
ACTION ITEMS
Administrative Letters
- No administrative letters this week.
Notices
- Meeting will address teacher prep program rules
- U.S. DOE seeks rural high schools for FAFSA pilot project
- Schools asked to choose 8th graders for citizenship award
Reporting
Please note: We generally provide notice of requirements only once. Please check the Reporting Calendar (link below) regularly for a list of ALL upcoming items.
- State Agency Client Request for Reimbursement, April 15, 2012
- Highly Qualified Teacher Data, May 15, 2012
NEWS & VIEWS
Maranacook teachers create digital learning materials
Teachers across Maine will soon have access to digital resources full of interactive content that will help them bring middle school social studies and visual and performing arts lessons alive, thanks to the work of teachers at Maranacook Community Middle School. | More
Clear expectations, rigorous evaluations, continued growth
Educator effectiveness legislation passed last week sets clear performance standards for teachers, provides them with regular feedback, and supports their continued professional growth. Effective teachers, after all, are the most important school-based factor in influencing student achievement and success. By Stephen Bowen | More | Bowen hails ‘most significant’ education legislation this year
Teacher of the Year nominees represent Maine’s great teachers
Eight nominees for the honor of 2013 Teacher of the Year shared a bit of their classroom and their teaching philosophy with legislators and the public at the State House on Tuesday. By David Connerty-Marin | More | 2013 Nominee Biographies | Photos
Scholarships available for special education teachers
Teachers who work with special-needs children in Maine schools but do not have full certification could be eligible for scholarship awards that will fund much of the course work necessary for earning full certification. | More
Upcoming professional development opportunities
- Education’s future is focus of MLTI Summer Institute
- Creative approaches to nutrition focus of conference
- World language teachers invited to summer institute
- College of the Atlantic offers scholarships for Maine educators
- Middle-level summer institute focuses on customized, engaged learning