From Maine Education Commissioner Jim Rier
Last week I 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 (SAMS) where she is a seventh-and eighth-grade special education and reading intervention teacher.
Those who have had the privilege to learn from Mrs. Dorman – whether as a student or a colleague – were not surprised she received this recognition. And because she noticed the school floors being polished and the lawn being mowed the day before, even Mrs. Dorman had a hunch she wasn’t coming into the auditorium at SAMS for a student fundraising assembly last Thursday.
Notices and Reporting
- Statement of Assurance and MEDMS Financial Reconciliation, due Nov. 1
- Regional School Calendar, due April 14
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News & Views
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
Final deadline for proficiency-based diploma extension applications Oct. 18
The final deadline for districts looking for an extension in implementing a proficiency-based diploma requirement is next week. | 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
Governor LePage proclaims October Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Governor Paul R. LePage recently joined state and local officials, representatives from law enforcement, business and community leaders and victims’ advocacy groups at the Blaine House to mark the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. | More
Superintendents surveyed on use of instructional coaches
The Maine DOE is asking superintendents to participate in a survey on the use of instructional coaches. | More
Guidance issued to Maine schools on EV-D68
In response to a confirmed case of Enterovirus D68 in a southern Maine school, the Department is providing schools guidance from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. | More
Schools recognize National School Bus Safety Week, Bus Driver Appreciation Day
Schools in Maine and across the nation are recognizing National School Bus Safety Week, Oct. 20 through 24. | More
Regional school calendars due April 14
School administrative units (SAUs) and private schools approved for tuition purposes are expected to establish regional school calendars. | More
Proposed rule changes: Chapter 101, Maine Unified Special Education Regulation Birth to Age Twenty
The Maine DOE is proposing changes this fall to the rules regarding the provision of child find, early intervention services, and special education and related services. | More
Federal School Bus Replacement Rebate Program announced
The United States Environmental Protection Agency will again make funds available for the School Bus Replacements Rebate Program beginning this fall. | More
Update on new school staff evaluation survey
As originally noted in a dispatch dated June 4, changes to the MEDMS Educator Quality and Effectiveness (EQE) Survey are still in progress. | More
MPBN seeks students for Junior Broadcaster Board
The Maine Public Broadcasting Network recently announced the formation of the MPBN Junior Broadcaster Board. | More
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