Earlier this month, the Maine DOE in collaboration with the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) convened the fourth meeting of the Maine Governor’s Academy for STEM Education Leadership. This is the second and final year of the cohort, which includes 24 teacher leaders from across the state.
The Governor’s Academy for STEM Leadership is supported through federal Title II funds and support from participating districts. The cohort also benefits from the participation of ten mentors who are graduates of prior Maine Governor’s Academies for Science and Math Education Leadership. Michele Mailhot (Maine DOE Math Specialist) and Joyce Tugel (MMSA Science Specialist) are coordinating the leadership academy.
The Governor’s Academy is a two-year program consisting of eight strands:
1. Focus on standards-based teaching and learning (state and national)
2. STEM models and practices
3. Technology
4. Leadership
5. Effective STEM professional development
6. Developing and facilitating collaborative STEM groups
7. Building STEM partnerships
8. STEM policy, engagement and advocacy
The November session focused on four strands: standards-based teaching and learning (state and national), developing and facilitating collaborative STEM groups, STEM models and practices, and leadership.
Throughout the two days, the participants were challenged to build and refine their leadership skills.
Tom Keller, director of Outreach and Collaboration at MMSA and the new executive director of the Maine STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Council, shared information and resources with the academy fellows that can be used to analyze STEM instructional materials through the lens of Maine’s math and science standards. Academy fellows read about and discussed the four leadership principles identified in The PRIME Leadership Framework: Principles and Indicators for Mathematics Education Leaders (National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics, 2008) as well as the four Ps (purpose, policy, program, and practice) of STEM Education identified in The Case for STEM Education: Challenges and Opportunities (Bybee, 2013).
Academy fellows will continue working on their leadership plans for STEM education for the April meeting.
Resources and more information
- Michele Mailhot
Mathematics Specialist
Maine Department of Education
207-624-6829
michele.mailhot@maine.gov - Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance