Commissioner’s Update – April 11, 2013

From the Commissioner

Away from the headlines, some amazing work is going on in Maine schools and I’ve had the good fortune to visit several schools –most recently Lake Region High School and the career and technical education center.

I also got to meet six talented teachers last Thursday at a ceremony recognizing them as 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year semi-finalists. Yes, Shannon Shanning, our 2013 Teacher of the Year has barely begun her term, but we are already busy reviewing, scoring, and celebrating more great teachers. I was also glad to announce that the Department has entered into a partnership with Educate Maine, a business-led education group, to manage the program. We are excited about this partnership and confident in their ability to further raise the profile of this program, which showcases and highlights exceptional teachers.

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Teacher of the year semi-finalist Suzen Polk-Hoffses, kindergarten teacher at Milbridge Elementary School, with Governor LePage and Millbridge student Juan Jose Castillo.

Teacher of the year semi-finalist Suzen Polk-Hoffses, kindergarten teacher at Milbridge Elementary School, with Governor LePage and Millbridge student Juan Jose Castillo. | More

News & Views

Science standards Maine helped develop are released

AUGUSTA – A new set of science standards that Maine took a leading role in helping to develop were released Tuesday evening. Earlier in the day, the State Board of Education was briefed on the Next Generation Science Standards by Anita Bernhardt, the Maine Department of Education science education specialist. The Board anticipates voting on adoption of the standards later this spring. | More | Anita Berhardt’s SciTech blog

Governor, Ed Commissioner announce 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year semi-finalists, partnership with Educate Maine

AUGUSTA – On Thursday, six Maine teachers were named as semi-finalist candidates to become the 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year. Governor Paul R. LePage and Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen honored the talented group of educators from around the state in a State House ceremony. Also recognizing the semi-finalists were Steven Pound, chair of the State Board of Education; Tanna Clews, executive director of Educate Maine; and the 2013 Maine Teacher of the Year, Shannon Shanning. | More

Commissioner explores “academies” at Lake Region HS

Commissioner Stephen Bowen visited Lake Region High School and Lake Regional Vocational Center, both in RSU 61/SAD 61, Naples, to explore their project-based academies and new career and technical education facility as part of his Promising Practices Tour on Friday. | More

Maine National History Day winners announced

AUGUSTA – Secretary of State Matt Dunlap applauded students from 24 Maine schools and two homeschools for their efforts in preparing entries for the Maine History Day competition, held April 4 at the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine and the University of Maine at Augusta. | More

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