A new podcast launched this month to highlight the voices of those who teach in, learn in, work in, and lead public schools in one coastal Maine school community. Five Town CSD and Camden-Rockport Schools Superintendent Maria Libby created Super Story to bring the public into the inner-workings of public schools and help them gain a deeper understanding of the “challenges and triumphs” within public education today.
“My goal in starting the podcast, which has been a dream for nearly 5 years, is most broadly to help change the narrative about public schools,” said Libby. “The podcast shines a light on the human element of education because we have deep, genuine conversations about various aspects of the work. I hope the public is able to connect with and gain greater respect for educators by listening to Super Story.”
The inaugural episode of Super Story featured a conversation with Will Eggena, a Camden Hills Regional High School senior and valedictorian of his class. The two discuss Will’s educational journey, his views on the strengths of his education and where the school community can improve, the future of education, and his advice for others.
You can listen and subscribe to Super Story on Apple and Spotify.
Looking for more education podcasts? Be sure to listen and subscribe to the Maine DOE MLTI Team’s podcast Teaching with Tech which you can access here.
Want us to share your podcast? If you have a podcast at your Maine school or school administrative unit (SAU), please share it with us and we’d be happy to highlight it and increase your audience! Email communications.doe@maine.gov.
(Pictured: Carlos Gomez, Director of Language Development, Portland Public Schools)
“Many years ago my grandmother said, ‘Learning a new language is like having another little house in which you can take refuge and escape from the world to give yourself your own time. Learn today so that tomorrow you can enjoy yourself freely without any issues.’ I did not understand this wisdom at that time. I was a girl, I did not know what was coming soon. However, her wise words were never erased from my mind and heart, now more than ever I understand what she said because the process of learning a new language was difficult but after the storm, I am freely enjoying the rainbow.” These are the words of Portland High School student and Maine Seal of Biliteracy recipient, Estrella Alemán Delgado.
Portland Public Schools (PPS) hosted its annual Seal of Biliteracy Awards ceremony on May 17, 2023. There were 66 Seal recipients this year from Portland High School, Deering High School, and Casco Bay High School – 40 percent more than last year and the most since the award began in 2018.
The Seal of Biliteracy is an award that recognizes graduating students for having a high degree of skill in English and one or more additional languages. Nearly all states in the United States now offer this award, celebrating multilingualism and giving students an edge for their post-secondary studies and/or future careers. The Seal of Biliteracy underscores for younger students, parents, and community members who speak a language other than English at home that it’s important to maintain heritage languages. The Seal of Biliteracy also honors the dedication of world language students who pursue higher-level language courses. Highlighting the value of multilingualism, this award becomes part of a student’s transcript and gives students an edge for their post-secondary studies and/or future careers. Students who earn the Seal of Biliteracy may be eligible to earn up to 8 college credits at certain Maine Universities and Colleges based on their demonstrated proficiency levels in their target language(s).
Mayinga Mukinayi, Seal of Biliteracy Recipient
Several students shared their language-learning experiences during the ceremony. Student speaker and Seal recipient, Mayinga Mukinayi spoke about the challenges and rewards she experienced as a multilingual learner. “My experience of learning English was very challenging because when I arrived in the United States, I didn’t know anything about English other than ‘Good Morning’ and counting a few numbers. It was hard, but I kept wanting to learn. I read English books and listened to English music without understanding. Sometimes I even slept with headphones on- putting words in English so that my mind could listen. Even if I was sleeping, my brain would be awake to listen. Now that I know English, although I’m still learning, I can communicate, and with my Portuguese and French I can help people who are in the same place as me when I arrived in the United States. I help in the classrooms, as a teacher’s assistant. I even helped out in the summer as a TA in a multilingual classroom for middle school students. I still help even outside of school, translating in churches or even on the streets, when someone asks me for help.”
The following are the 16 languages in which this year’s recipients have achieved proficiency: Arabic, Bengali, Dari, French, German, Hindi, Latin, Lingala, Kinyarwanda, Pashto, Portuguese, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tajik and Urdu. The variety of languages represented in the ceremony gave a sense of the breadth of the language diversity at the Portland Public Schools, where one-third of students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken – a total of more than 50 languages.
Melea Nalli, PPS’s interim Co-superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning spoke extensively about the benefits of multilingualism. The ability to speak multiple languages is an undeniable asset in today’s increasingly global world. Learning another language transcends the confines of one’s own background and improves and expands one’s understanding of the world, diverse cultures, and perspectives. She noted that proficiency in two or more languages enhances students’ ability to succeed academically and in the workplace. Language learning makes important contributions to students’ cognitive development, mental flexibility, memory, and concentration. Research shows that language learning correlates with higher academic achievement on standardized test measures. Additionally, demand for employees who are proficient in more than one language is growing in the United States and throughout the world. Multiple language proficiency opens the door to a wide variety of career opportunities.
Seal of Biliteracy Recipients from Portland Public High Schools
If you are interested in developing a Seal of Biliteracy Program in your school, please reach out to Rebecca Carey, ESOL Consultant at rebecca.carey@maine.gov or visit Maine Seal of Biliteracy.
(Pictured: Members of the Maine Department of Education’s 2022/2023 Student Cabinet)
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Student Cabinet held its final meeting of the 2022/2023 School Year in May, culminating with a presentation before the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee of the Maine State Legislature.
A student-led initiative of the Maine DOE, the Cabinet is in its 4th year, continuing to elevate students’ voices from across Maine. Comprised of 27 students, this year’s cabinet represented students in grades 5-12 from all 16 counties.
The Student Cabinet has allowed the Maine DOE to integrate student voices into decision-making on issues that impact their journey through Maine’s education system. In past years, students have identified mental health needs at school, raised issues of racial equity, and brainstormed ways to better individualize learning.
The Cabinet is facilitated by student representatives from the Maine State Board of Education, with Ryan Hafener and Joshua Leinwand chairing this year’s Cabinet. Members met several times during the term, both virtually and in person, to identify, research, and brainstorm policy recommendations. They also had the opportunity to meet with Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin, Deputy Commissioner Dan Chuhta and work with other members of the Maine Department of Education who helped coordinate their efforts.
Once again, mental health was recognized by the Cabinet as a pressing concern. Every year since the Maine Department of Education convened the Cabinet in 2019, students have chosen to focus on mental health issues impacting students across Maine. This year, students specifically identified resources they believe would help address mental health needs in schools.
The students combined facts, statistics, and their personal experiences to create the presentation, where they asserted that Maine should increase mental health resources for students.
Priorities Student Cabinet members identified included increasing the number of mental health professionals in schools and exploring telehealth options for rural schools. During their presentation, students focused on the importance of mental health to an effective learning environment, the impact of student mental health on life outside of school, and how school safety impacts the mental health of students and staff. Listen to the entire presentation on the Maine State Legislature Website.
Students with members of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee
Students meeting with Deputy Commissioner Dan Chuhta at their May meeting.
Students participating in a mindfulness activity during their May meeting.
The presentation marked the conclusion of the 2022/2023 Student Cabinet. Applications for the 2023/2024 cabinet are set to open in the fall, with half of the seats on the Cabinet open for new members to serve a two-year term, starting in November. Students in grades 4 – 12 and the first year of college are invited to apply to become a member of the Cabinet.
This year’s Statewide Early Childhood Education Conference has an incredible lineup of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities planned for October 27 & 28 in Portland. Keynote speakers will be Denisha Jones, Executive Director of Defending the Early Years, and Angela Hanscom, author and founder of TimberNook.
Step 2: Click the BIG PINK BUTTON at the top of the page that says “REGISTER”
STEP 3: Follow the directions on the registration page
Each guest must register separately and will need to have a credit/debit card number to put into the form. Administrators will only be able to register their staff one at a time, and they must have their staff’s personal contact information (i.e. home address, home email, home phone, etc.). Alternatively, administrators can email the registration form to their employees and have them each register separately. Participants will select breakout sessions for the conference at a later date.
If you would like to book a room to stay at the Holiday Inn where the conference is being held, click on this link. When you input the conference dates at the link, you will automatically be given the room discount for conference attendees.
If you have any questions about the conference or registration, please contact MaineAEYC at conference@maineaeyc.org
As the school’s Extending Learning Opportunities (ELO) Coordinator, Robert Scully is working with Marshwood High School students to create meaningful and relevant educational experiences beyond the classroom. Since receiving the ELO Programming Grant last spring, Scully has been leading the development of the program and its team to make it a sustainable and impactful part of the school’s future.
During the program’s development year at Marshwood, students have been able to engage in a wide variety of opportunities. “We had numerous independent study experiences including students learning American Sign Language, world languages, and programming,” said Scully. Students have also been able to participate in programs for service learning, building trades, real estate, and health care.
Scully says the best part of his job is meeting one-on-one with students to plan experiences that will keep them interested and engaged in their educational careers. “Students taking agency in their learning – sitting and discussing, designing, developing an experience that will provide a valuable learning experience is a profound moment,” he said.
The program underwent its implementation phase this spring, with 65 students already expressing interest in creating an ELO of their own for the Fall 2023 semester. Scully is also planning on teaching a Career Exploration Course next school year to encourage authentic, hands-on learning.
By receiving this grant, Scully says that he and his team “will be able to develop and offer relevant learning experiences that – quite frankly – are limitless in their potential to prepare students for the future they hope for.”
Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs) are hands-on, credit-bearing courses outside of the traditional classroom with an emphasis on community-based career exploration. These opportunities are personalized for students and help them explore options for their professional lives. They help students engage in learning through instruction, assignments, and experiential learning. The Maine Department of Education (DOE), along with state-wide partner Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG), have made a concerted effort to provide working models, support, and funding opportunities for Maine schools to set up ELO programs within their school communities. To learn more about Maine’s initiatives with extended learning opportunities, visit: https://www.maine.gov/doe/index.php/learning/elo or reach out to Maine DOE ELO Coordinator Rick Wilson at rick.wilson@maine.gov.
This story was written by Maine DOE Communications Intern Natalie Grandahl in collaboration with Marshwood High School as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea, email Rachel Paling, Maine DOE Communications and Outreach Manager at rachel.paling@maine.gov.
“Participating in the series has helped me to look at the decisions we make about our instructional programming and school community through the lens of early learning and what is developmentally appropriate for our youngest learners.” –Quote from Cohort 1 participant
As Maine elementary schools have added preschool programming and are promoting whole student approaches across the Pre-K -Grade 3 span, elementary principals have requested professional learning to support their work as educational leaders. The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and several Maine educational organizations (listed below) have collaborated to design an exciting professional learning series to address identified needs and support professional growth. The Leading Early Learning series has supported cohorts during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. We are pleased to announce the third cohort for this series will launch during the 2023-24 school year.
The series will not only provide participants with opportunity to deepen their knowledge of early learning pedagogy and best practices related to supporting students and teachers across Pre-K-3, but it will also provide a professional learning network, opportunity to design a concept for an implementation project, and be supported through facilitated discussions. Participants will engage in a variety of modes of learning, from asynchronous modules to professional learning communities to attendance at a statewide early learning conference.
If this opportunity interests you, please review the details for the series in the informational guide. A link to apply for the series is included in the informational guide. The series will support up to 30 participants. Applications will be received through July 10, 2023. Once spaces are filled, a waiting list will be generated.
For additional information, please contact Lee Anne Larsen, Director of Early Learning at Maine DOE, leeann.larsen@maine.gov.
Leading Early Learning Partner Organizations
Maine Department of Education
Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network
Maine Association for the Education of Young Children
UMaine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies
Pursuant to the authority granted under section 8401(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Maine Department of Education (DOE) intends to submit an application for waivers to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). As required, the Maine DOE is seeking 15 days of public comment from June 7, 2023 – June 21, 2023, on the request to waive the period of availability for Elementary & Secondary Education Act funds and Title I, Part A carryover limitations.
Requirements from which Maine will be seeking a waiver include:
A Tydings amendment waiver from Section 421(b) of the General Provisions Act to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). The Tydings amendment waiver seeks an extension to the availability of Federal Fiscal Year 2021/State Fiscal Year 2022 Elementary and Secondary Education funds. Programs affected by this waiver:
Title I, Part A of the ESEA (Improving Basic Programs Operated by LEAs), including the portions of the SEA’s Title I, Part A award used to carry out section 1003 school improvement, section 1003A direct student services, if applicable, and Title I, Part D, Subpart 2
Title I, Part B of the ESEA (State Assessment Formula Grants)
Title I, Part C of the ESEA (Education of Migratory Children)
Title I, Part D, Subpart 1 of the ESEA (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk)
Title II, Part A of the ESEA (Supporting Effective Instruction)
Title III, Part A of the ESEA (English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement)
Title IV, Part A of the ESEA (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants)
Title IV, Part B of the ESEA (21st Century Community Learning Centers)
Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 of the ESEA (Rural and Low-Income School Program)
McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program
A carryover limitation waiver from Section 1127(a) of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended for Federal Fiscal Year 2022/State Fiscal Year 2023 Title I, Part A funds. The carryover limitation waiver seeks to waive the requirement that limits the Maine DOE’s ability to grant to its local educational agencies (LEAs) a waiver of the 15 percent Title I, Part A carryover limitation of more than once every three years.
The Maine DOE must solicit and respond to public comment on its waiver request as well as provide evidence of the available comment period. As the Maine DOE moves forward to provide as much flexibility as possible and continued support for expending ESEA federal funds, comments can be submitted to: Cheryl.Lang@maine.gov.
June is LGBTQ Pride Month and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has a robust collection of resources devoted to supporting LGBTQ+ students in Maine and fostering a positive school climate.
The resources were put together through a collaborative partnership between Maine DOE, OUT Maine, and GLAD (GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders) in an effort to provide meaningful resources and information to schools to give them the tools to support not only their LGBTQ+ students but families and school staff as well. The Maine DOE is committed to ensuring Maine schools are safe and welcoming environments for all students.
The website includes data about Maine’s LGBTQ+ youth, the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) data, teaching resources, and other vital tools for Maine schools to ensure equity for LGBTQ+ identifying students and meaningfully celebrate Pride Month. There are also additional resources specifically for students and parents.
The website of resources can be accessed here: LGBTQ+ Resources.
End of school year reports are open for review and certification. All reports must be reviewed by district personnel and superintendents are required to certify all reports. The following reports are open for review and certification. Maine School Approval – Due: Mid Summer ESEA Demographics – Due: June 15th Bullying – Due: June 30th Behavior … | More
Join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Data Team and the Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (OSSIE) for an interactive webinar about the special education exit report. | More
June is LGBTQ Pride Month and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has a robust collection of resources devoted to supporting LGBTQ+ students in Maine and fostering a positive school climate. | More
What do you get when you combine a nutrition program, a historical society, and a middle school ELA/Social Studies class? A four-course Civil War meal of course! In March, a group of middle school students from the South Bristol School came to … | More
The Maine Department of Education is proud to partner with Jobs for Maine Grads (JMG) on the Second Annual Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Conference. This is a 2-night, 3-day intensive designed to equip educators with the skills and facilitated planning time to build or expand quality ELO programming for Maine students. Come and go as needed. | More
Save the Date for Maine’s 2023 Statewide Early Childhood Education Conference! The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is proud to collaborate with the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children to provide this professional learning opportunity geared to educators working across the birth to grade 3 spans. This year’s conference has an incredible lineup …| More
The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools and its Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center will host a Webinar on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET. This Webinar will highlight the role of special educators … | More
June is Youth Employment Month! The Maine DOE is excited to share the Maine Department of Labor’s resources to ensure that school staff, counselors, and teachers have what they need to empower their students as they enter the world of work and ensure that students and their families know their rights and available resources.
Employers in Maine and throughout the country are increasingly challenged to find employees and are relying more heavily on younger workers to meet that need. Applications for minor work permits increased by nearly 75% between 2017 and 2022. With this increase in youth hiring, violations of child labor law and workplace injuries have also been on the rise in Maine.
The Maine Department of Labor wants to work with employers and young job seekers to ensure students know their rights and are safe and healthy both in the workplace and in school. School staff can help with this, as well by sharing resources that can help prepare students to navigate the world of work.
The Department of Labor is also happy to come present to school staff or students, on any of these topics. If interested, please contact the Maine Department of Labor at 207-623-7900 or www.maine.gov/labor/contact.
Maine DOE Newsroom 