Maine DOE Update February 17, 2023

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

News & Updates

Maine Teachers and School Staff Share Why They #LoveTeaching as Part of a National Campaign to Promote Educator Voices

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has partnered with News Center Maine for the third year in a row to highlight the voices of teachers and school staff sharing why they #LoveTeaching during a weeklong national campaign. | More

Culturally Diverse Culinary Resources

The Maine Child Nutrition office has created a new webpage dedicated to culturally diverse culinary videos, recipes and resources that are available for Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program. | More

REMINDER: Seeking Presenters for 2nd Annual Educators Summit

The 2nd Annual Educator Summit is scheduled for August 7 through August 10, 2023, at the Augusta Civic Center. The Maine Department of Education is currently seeking presenters from Maine’s education field. | More

20th Annual MLTI Student Conference Call for Breakout Session Proposals

The Maine Department of Education is issuing a call for student and educator team breakout session proposals for any of the three events that are part of the 20th Annual MLTI Student Conference. | More

Seeking Student Submissions for MLTI Student Conference 2023 T-Shirt Design Competition

The Maine Department of Education’s Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) will be hosting a T-shirt Design Competition for participating students at MLTI schools in grades 6 through 9. | More

Seeking Members for Maine DOE Truancy, Drop Out, and Alternative Education Advisory Committee

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking individuals who are invested in identifying and reducing barriers to school attendance for Maine students. | More

4H Agriculture Leadership Ambassador Program for Students

University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H is offering its Agriculture Leadership Ambassador program from March 7–April 18. The program, open to all teens ages 14–18, will focus on understanding the Maine food system, exploring careers and building advocacy skills. | More

Applications Open for 2nd Annual Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute

Applications are now open for the 2nd Annual Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute. | More

Reminder: Nominations Open for the 2023 National History Teacher of the Year

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is seeking nominations for the 2023 National History Teacher of the Year. | More

Get to Know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Steve Airoldi

Maine DOE team member Steve Airoldi is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Steve.. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Augusta Adult Education Partnerships with Maine Veteran’s Home to Offer FREE CNA Training

Augusta Adult and Community Education is partnering with the Maine Veterans’ Homes-Augusta to offer an, “Earn While You Learn” Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Training Program. The purpose of the partnership is to increase and strengthen Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training in the Augusta area and prepare participants for employment within the healthcare industry within the state. | More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Special Topic Series Upcoming Sessions: Word-Level Reading and PBIS Framework

As a reminder, the Maine Department of Education’s Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education is hosting a Special Topic Series around inclusivity and multi-tiered systems of support through the winter and spring months. Upcoming topics include: Word-Level Reading Problems – Implications for Instruction and Intervention and Supporting All Students: How the PBIS Framework is Inclusive for All | More

Transition to Kindergarten Train the Trainer Opportunity

The Maine Department of Education’s Early Learning Team is happy to announce the next step in the Transition to Kindergarten training series. In 2022, the Transition to Kindergarten module series and facilitator guide focused on building community-wide understanding of kindergarten readiness and the impact of high-quality transition practices on children, families, schools, and communities was released. This 4-part series, as well as several other useful resources related to kindergarten transitions, can be found on the Transitioning to Kindergarten webpages. | More

Math4ME: Building a Positive Math Culture Within Your School

Are you looking to increase math confidence in students and staff and build a positive math culture within your school? Math4ME is for YOU!! | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

Seeking Experienced Project Manager for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative

The Learning Through Technology Team, in the Office of Innovation, is looking for an experienced Project Manager for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative. | More View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

Math4ME: Building a Positive Math Culture Within Your School

Are you looking to increase math confidence in students and staff and build a positive math culture within your school?

Math4ME is for YOU!!

Math4ME is a free, three-year, K-5, whole-school project designed to support all educators (classroom teachers, special educators, ed techs, and interventionists) to strengthen math proficiency for all learners with a specific focus on increased math proficiency for students with math IEP goals.

Math4ME Application Form

“I really enjoy these conversations with other Maine teachers and the Math4ME coaches. I feel much more confident as a math instructor now that I am doing this. I appreciate it so much!” – Math4ME Participant

“Doing the assessment form together today and making an action plan made me feel more confident in the process.” – Math4ME Participant

For more information contact: Susan Hogan, susan.hogan@maine.gov

Transition to Kindergarten Train the Trainer Opportunity

The next installment in the Transitions to Kindergarten series is a Train the Trainer opportunity built to support and guide individuals who can facilitate community-based kindergarten transition teams to use the tools and activities within the Transition to Kindergarten module series. The goal of the series modules is to build understanding and implementation of high-quality, year-round transition practices for all stakeholders to ensure children’s successful transition into their Kindergarten year.

If you, or someone you know, could benefit from participating in this training which will prepare participants to guide communities in forming Kindergarten transition teams and transitions plans, please register for this exciting and free two-session training.

Session #1 will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm.
Session #2 will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Once you register, a link will be sent to your email; this will be the same link for both sessions

Click here to Register for both sessions.

For more information and any questions, please reach to Marcy Whitcomb, Public Pre-K Consultant at Marcy.r.whitcomb@maine.gov.

Seeking Student Submissions for MLTI Student Conference 2023 T-Shirt Design Competition

The Maine Department of Education’s Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) will be hosting a T-shirt Design Competition for participating students at MLTI schools in grades 6 through 9.

The theme for the 20th annual MLTI Student Conference is “DiveRightIn” (Dive Right In) and all submissions should include the text “DiveRightIn” as a central feature of the design. The conceptual theme is focused around water and primary events at the conference will use that theme.

A panel of judges will choose a winning design. The winning design will be printed on t-shirts that will be worn by everyone at the 20th Annual MLTI Student Conference, which will be held three events this year!

Review T-Shirt Design Competition eligibility and submission guidelines

Competition Timeline & Important Dates

Competition opens: February 16, 2023
T-shirt designs due: March 15th, 2023 (no late entries will be accepted)
Finalists selected and Winner Announced: March 20th, 2023.

Submit your entry with this 2023 MLTI Student Conference T-Shirt Design Competition Submission Form

 For more information or answers to questions, please contact: Jon Graham, Digital Learning Specialist, Maine Learning Technology Initiative at jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov

Applications Open for 2nd Annual Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute

Applications are now open for the 2nd Annual Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute.

The Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute is a year-long professional opportunity for Maine schools/districts to develop a Farm and Sea to School (FSTS) program. Schools receive a year of technical support from Maine’s experts and participate in a 3-day Academy Program July 24th-26th, 2023 at The Ecology School. Read about last year’s event!

Learn more and apply here. Applications are due by March 15th, 2023.

Seeking Members for Maine DOE Truancy, Drop Out, and Alternative Education Advisory Committee

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking individuals who are invested in identifying and reducing barriers to school attendance for Maine students.

The Truancy, Drop Out and Alternative Education Advisory (TDAE) Committee has been appointed to advise the Maine Commissioner of Education on the development and implementation of State and local policies and programs that are needed to deal effectively with the incidence of truancy and dropouts in Maine schools.

In accordance with PL 2007, c. 667, §10 (AMD), the committee will consider its mandate in a broad context to assess the causes of truancy and dropouts, the effectiveness of alternative education and prevention programs, and the social and educational programs or changes needed to encourage students to remain in school, including reintegration planning and aftercare services provided for juvenile offenders who have been released from juvenile facilities in the State and have enrolled in schools in the State.

The 15-member committee meets monthly throughout the year with the support of Maine DOE staff to review and discuss current information related to student attendance, as well as examine policy and guidance practices for the State. Committee members will join for a two-year period with the option to be reappointed. We are bringing together an active team with diverse backgrounds from different parts of the State. We presently have openings for committee members who are: school counselors or school social workers, adult education teachers with experience in high school completion education, administrators of private schools, Maine Department of Labor staff, and business community representatives.

We hope you are interested in joining this important work and are looking forward to having you as part of this team.

If you have questions, or are interested in serving on the committee, please contact Susan Lieberman, Co-Chair of the TDAE Committee at susan.lieberman88@gmail.com or Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports Director Julie Smyth julie.a.smyth@maine.gov. If you are interested in joining the committee, please send an email with a paragraph explaining your background in areas of truancy, dropout and alternative education and how your areas of expertise will support the work of the committee.

Special Topic Series Upcoming Sessions: Word-Level Reading and PBIS Framework

Word-Level Reading Problems – Implications for Instruction and Intervention

Description: Speaker David A. Kilpatrick, PhD will focus on how children learn to read words and why some children struggle. Learn more here.
Date: March 1, 2023
Time: 3:30-4:30 pm
Where: Zoom
Cost: FREE
Register here.

Supporting All Students: How the PBIS Framework is Inclusive for All

Description: Speaker Dr. Heather George. PBIS has been shown through research to be effective for a wide range of student outcomes. This whole school prevention based approach establishes a safe and predictable environment to improve behavior and help more students succeed, including students with disabilities. Free resources will be shared to help schools build systems with practices that are inclusive, robust and supportive of all students.
Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2023,
Times: 3:30-4:30 PM
Where: Zoom
Cost: FREE
Register here.

Download a flyer about these topics (PDF)

Reminder: Nominations Open for the 2023 National History Teacher of the Year

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is seeking nominations for the 2023 National History Teacher of the Year.

Each year the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History recognize first-rate K–12 teachers who find creative ways to bring history to life in their classrooms. Winners are selected from each state and US territory, and become finalists for the national award.

State History Teachers of the Year receive:

$1,000
Recognition at a ceremony in their state
Free entry to the Gilder Lehrman Teacher Symposium
Free classroom materials

The National History Teacher of the Year receives $10,000 and is honored at a ceremony in New York City.

The deadline for 2023 nominations is April 30, 2023. Learn more and nominate a teacher at gilderlehrman.org/nhtoy.

Download a flyer (PDF)

REMINDER: Seeking Presenters for 2nd Annual Educators Summit

The 2nd Annual Educator Summit is scheduled for August 7 through August 10, 2023, at the Augusta Civic Center. The Maine Department of Education is currently seeking presenters from Maine’s education field.

This year’s theme is Inspiration, Innovation, and Inclusion. Knowing that there are many inspirational, innovative, and inclusive practices being performed in our public schools, we have opened the applications to the entire Maine public education workforce. Our intent is to showcase the inspirational, innovative, and inclusive practices being used every day in our schools and use this to inspire other schools.

We will also be accepting applications from the Maine Department of Education staff that are providing support for our Maine teachers and students, and to provide a launching point for continuing support throughout the 2023-2024 school year.

Presenter Application Portal (Applications close on March 3, 2023)

For more information regarding this event please contact Teri Peaslee, 2023 Summit Coordinator at Teri.peaslee@maine.gov or 207-530-7672.

Augusta Adult Education Partnerships with Maine Veteran’s Home to Offer FREE CNA Training

The first cohort of Certified Nursing Assistants who participated in the partnership graduated on February 10, 2023.

“This is an exciting time to become part of the Maine Veterans’ Homes-Augusta team at their new state-of-the-art facility at 35 Heroes Way,” said Kayla Sikora, Director of Augusta Adult and Community Education in a news release. “Augusta Adult and Community Education is honored to partner with Maine Veterans’ Homes-Augusta.”

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed into effect on December 1, 2022, between Augusta Adult and Community Education and Maine Veterans’ Homes-Augusta to offer “Earn While You Learn” CNA Training.

To learn more about this program visit, “Earn While You Learn” CNA Training. or contact the Augusta Adult and Community Education Program.