As a reminder, Maine’s Department of Education’s (DOE) Early Learning Team and Maine’s Office of Child and Family Services are hosting a professional learning opportunity for child care and public-school educators working with children birth-8 years old. This opportunity is funded through Maine’s Preschool Development Renewal Grant.
The Maine Resilience Building Network will be hosting a series of free virtual (via ZOOM) professional development sessions. Supporting Children, Families, and Communities to Thrive: Promoting Positive Childhood Experiences and Resilience will bring together early childhood and PK-3 public-school educators to participate in sessions during the fall of 2023. These sessions will focus on:
How adverse and positive childhood experiences impact children’s development,
ideas for how to support a stronger focus on positive experiences and for building resilience for young children, and
strategies for how educators can address compassion fatigue and build their own resilience.
Maine’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year is a quiet, humble yet incredibly effective educational leader. The bedrock strategy of his leadership has been to foster a deep understanding of the district’s mission, vision, and core beliefs that are the cornerstone of every decision that is made in his district.
Known as a transformational change agent, he facilitates change by bringing together stakeholders around a common shared vision. Whether he is addressing the school mascot or the pandemic, working with staff to develop the district-wide tenants to combat poverty to using his students’ voices to understand the impact of trauma, this superintendent’s decisions are principled and built on a strong district vision.
Successful leaders communicate well, and Maine’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year, Jonathan Moody has a simple yet effective approach to communicating: He listens, he is involved, and he shares. He listens to school board members, community members, parents, students, and staff. He seeks ways to get feedback and requires others in his organization to do the same. He involves others, encourages engagement, and seeks representation from everyone in the room, making sure to bring in those groups not otherwise represented. He shares what is learned, he shares feedback, and he shares decisions.
Through the district’s partnership with KV-CAP, a local community action program, the district developed a vision of how early childhood education could move from the sidelines to become fully integrated into a public school. Jon’s leadership was paramount in bringing this vision to reality, as he led the design, development, and funding of a new 76-million-dollar school that will serve children starting at 6 weeks old. This school, which is being called the “First of its kind in Maine”, will provide early childhood programming for children ages 6 weeks old to three years old and will provide comprehensive programming to students who are 3 years old through grade 12.
Nicole Chapman from KVCAP who oversees the Early Childhood Collaborative in Somerset County defines Jon as a transformative partner and leader and states that he has been pivotal in the evolution of a model of education and wraparound support to children and families to increase student success.
Jon embraces parent and community voice, engagement, and involvement as a vehicle to nourish and create a school community and culture that embodies a multi-generational approach of inclusivity, continuity, education, and support to break the cycle of poverty and set children on the path to lifelong success.
Letters from town select board members, school board members, union presidents, and teachers overwhelmingly supported Jon’s nomination to become Maine’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year.
When asked about their Superintendent, staff members at MSAD 54 say that Jon is always available to talk with his employees even through the busiest of times. He is an active listener and a calm problem solver and treats everyone with dignity, empathy, fairness, and respect and genuinely cares about every employee and every student.
When Jon stepped in as Superintendent, he was faced with the tense debate about the school mascot. Jon listened and saw that the district didn’t just need a new mascot but needed a culture shift. Again, Jon led the way. He steered and empowered the school communities to become more trauma informed, and to explicitly state and reinforce that the District’s vision, “everyone comes to school feeling safe, welcome and respected for who they are,” was not just in ink, but also in action. Jon sought evidence-based solutions, brought speakers, trainers, and programs, and in some cases even infrastructure changes to help all schools become that vision of a safer and more inclusive space. His leadership helped the culture of the district to grow.
One Board member wrote: “I don’t know that Jon is even aware of it, but Jon inspires connection to projects, he instills purpose in actions, and keeps us all tethered to the driving force of every aspect that is vital to education. From the structures we build, to the policies we enact, to the day-to-day connections we make with kids; Jon embodies what it means to be ‘in it for the kids’ every single day”.
But it is what he does during and after listening that matters most – the actions that speak louder than words. Jon is a go-getter, change-agent, and is the solid, unwavering foundation of MSAD #54.
It is for these reasons and many more that the Maine School Superintendents Association is honored to name Jonathan Moody, MSAD 54, as Maine’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year.
Jon, named the 1999 Teacher of the Year for Dirigo High School, currently serves on the Board of Directors of Redington-Fairview Hospital and the United Way of Mid Maine; he is on the Early Childhood Advisory committee with Educate Maine and serves as an Adjunct Instructor at University of Maine at Farmington. Jon serves on MSSA’s funding committee and is also a member of the MSSA’s Ethic’s Committee. Jon holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Maine and a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Maine in Farmington.
Jon is married to his wife Shelly of 23 years, and is the proud father of Jacob, Grace and Olivia.
The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Learning Through Technology Team is excited to open the registration and t-shift design contest for the 21stannual MLTI Student Conference events!
Two separate events are being organized this year, each with a distinctive look and approach. We will be organizing another in-person event this year as well as a virtual event again this year, but we are shaking things up. And, for the first time ever, we are hosting two separate t-shirt design contests! See below for more information about these exciting updates.
MLTI Virtual Student Conference, March 7th, 2024
The Learning Through Technology Team is shaking things up with our MLTI Virtual Student Conference this year! We are excited to announce the MLTI Winter Classic, our fifth Virtual Student Conference. This event will be hosted in March this year to provide a unique and innovative opportunity that is better tailored to school schedules and allows for more flexibility than ever before. Join us in a game-based day of fun! Register now to ensure your team can participate in the MLTI “Winter Classic”!
This event is open to all school districts in the MLTI program. Registration is free and all materials will be provided. Register prior to January 8th to ensure that your team/classroom receives their materials and MLTI t-shirts before the big day!
Join us again this year for a day of learning through technology at the University of Maine in Orono. We are excited to invite you to “Camp MLTI” the 2024 MLTI In-Person Student Conference in May. This event brings together over a thousand students and educators from all across the state for a day of engaging sessions and activities at Maine’s largest university.
This event is open to all educators and students, grade 5-10 school districts in the MLTI program. Registration is free and all materials will be provided. Register prior to March 29th, to ensure that your team/classroom receives their materials and MLTI t-shirts before the big day!
For the first time ever, we are hosting two separate t-shirt design contests! This contest is open to all students in MLTI school districts, grades 5-10. Design the t-shirt that students around the state will wear during the MLTI Student Conferences! The winners will be recognized during the event they were selected for. Submissions for the Virtual Student Conference are due December 15th, and submissions for the In-Person Student Conference are due no later than February 1st. Winners will be announced within two weeks of submission.
The Maine Department of Education’s Office of School and Student Supports is partnering with Inspired Consulting Group, LLC, to support our school mental health providers
On Wednesday, November 1st from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. or Thursday, November 2nd from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., all Maine school-based mental health providers are invited to a virtual Office Hour with Chris McLaughlin, MSW, LCSW, Executive Director of NASW Maine (National Association of Social Workers) and owner of Inspired Consulting Group, LLC.
No matter where you are in the state, you are invited to log on for support, and resources, or to be with your colleagues around Maine. “These times are an opportunity to hold space for anyone who desires it,” said McLaughlin. “No agenda. Nothing formal. Just a safe space.”
Join one or both offerings for whatever amount of time you can! We in the Office of School and Student Supports are so thankful for all you are doing to support students, families, and school personnel – please know how important it is for you to make time for yourselves! There is no need to register for these sessions. Find the Zoom links to join the virtual office hours below.
Wednesday, November 1st from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Zoom Link
Thursday, November 2nd from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Zoom Link
For further questions, please contact Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports Director Julie Smyth at Julie.A.Smyth@maine.gov or Maine DOE Coordinated School Health Coordinator Emily Poland at Emily.Poland@maine.gov.
Maine Department of Education (DOE) staff are hosting several virtual office hours in the coming days for educators and school staff to provide resources and provide a space for people to come together for professional support in responding to the horrific tragedy in Lewiston. More support times will be available next week, and we will continue to update you on additional office hours and resources.
We also wanted to reshare the resources that the DOE sent out last night on how to talk to children about gun violence.
Thank you for all that you continue to do to help students and staff cope with and process the heartbreaking events of this week and to create safe places for our students to have the routines and support from caring adults that they need in this moment.
Office of Student and School Supports Office Hours
Maine DOE School Nurse Consultant Emily Polandwill be available on Friday 10/27/2023 from 3:00-4:00 PM for an open space opportunity for anyone who is working in a school health office. This time will focus on helping one another to process and provide peer support for the recent tragedy in Lewiston.
Maine DOE SEL Specialist Kellie Doyle Baileywill be available on Friday 10/27/2023 and Monday 10/30/2023 from 4:30-5:30 PM to offer administrators and any other school staff Emotional Supports. This time will focus on helping one another to address the stress response of the recent tragedy in Lewiston and how best to support both adults and students with traumatic events.
Maine DOE Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management Coordinator Dr. Karen Barneswill be available on Friday 10/27/23 and Monday 10/30/23 from 2:00-3:00 PM to provide resources to assist educators and school staff with emotionally supporting students and staff around the recent acts of targeted community violence in Lewiston.
These sessions are not intended to be clinician interventions. If any person should need formal clinical support please consider these resources:
If you are an educator in need of additional support, The FrontLine WarmLine is also available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week by calling 207-221-8196 or texting 898-211.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988.
StrengthenME is available to provide supports by connecting 1:1 and/or offer resources, StrengthenME: 24/7 at 1-800-769-9819.
In light of the tragedy in Lewiston, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has curated resources for talking to children about violence and resources for schools and educators.
Talking to Children About Violence
Provide a short statement of fact: Violence took place in our community and many people were hurt. Students are safe here. You are safe. There are people here who can help you.
Early elementary schoolchildren need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.
Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance processing the incident. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to ensure their safety.
Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe communities and schools, communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators and parents/guardians, and accessing support for emotional needs.
Mental Health First Aid
Monitor and assess impact: Students and colleagues will be affected in different ways. We do not know how this event has affected people – directly and/or indirectly. Continue to assess impact of the event on those around you.
Be mindful of self-regulation to assist youth in maintaining a level of safety and connection.
If you are an educator in need of additional support, The FrontLine WarmLine is also available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week by calling 207-221-8196 or texting 898-211.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988.
StrengthenME is available to provide supports by connecting 1:1 and/or offer resources, StrengthenME: 24/7 at 1-800-769-9819.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers Talking to Children about the Shooting (nctsn.org).Shootings such as this tragedy evokes many emotions—sadness, grief, helplessness, anxiety, and anger. Children and adults are likely struggling with their thoughts and feelings about the stories and images of the shooting may turn to trusted adults for help and guidance.
EPS Reports are due on Monday, October 30th. The following reports need to be reviewed and certified first by special education directors and then by superintendents:
Special Education Student Count EF-S-05 Part 1
October 1 Student Enrollment Count
Special Education Staff EF-S-05 Part 2
Staff Certification
CTE October Counts
If you have questions about any of these reports, please reach out to the MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896
The Maine State Board of Education was directed by the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs of the 131st Legislature to study potential revisions to the State Board Rule Chapter 115, the Credentialing of Education Personnel, and to make recommendations as needed via L.D. 485 and a letter from the chairs of the committee dated August 4, 2023. This report is to be submitted by January 2, 2024.
Two special Certification & Higher Education committee meetings:
November 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
In-person in Room 500 of the Burton Cross Office Building and virtually via Zoom (join here)
November 27, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
In-person in Room 500 of the Burton Cross Office Building and virtually via Zoom (join here)
At these meetings, members of the public are invited to provide comments regarding potential revisions to the State Board Rule Chapter 115. Comments at the meeting will be limited to 3 minutes. Written comments are invited until 5 pm November 27 and can be submitted to the contact below.
A single set of comments from a constituency is more helpful than multiple repeated sets of comments from many constituents, that is, multiple people sending in the same comment is not as useful as that comment being submitted by a single letter signed by those people.
The State Board will review the report at their December 13, 2023, meeting and take final action.
Contact: Sandra Bourget, Maine State Board of Education, 23 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0023, Email: Sandra.A.Bourget@maine.gov, Phone: (207) 624-6616.
Teaching with Tech is back! The Maine Department of Education (DOE), Learning Through Technology team is excited for the second season of their MLTI (Maine Learning Technology Initiative) Ambassador podcast where they will highlight new faces and voices centered around supporting technology integration across Maine. In the first season of Teaching with Tech, episodes focused on a variety of topics ranging from digital citizenship, artificial intelligence, STEAM-based learning, and gamification in the classroom. The Ambassadors share exciting strategies and tools as well as interviews from the field which showcase how teachers and schools are using innovative educational strategies to provide students with the best experience possible.
The MLTI Ambassador team kicked off season two with an episode titled “What are the Ambassadors Working on?” This episode highlights projects that the team is looking forward to this year as well as gives examples of ways they can support districts, schools, and teachers all over Maine. October will be the first themed month, focusing both episodes around educational technology in the arts. Join the team as they interview educators about how they incorporate technology, tools, and strategies into their classrooms and schools. Be sure to look out for “Community Corner” bonus episodes which cover additional topics outside of the monthly theme. Last season saw bonus episodes dedicated to game-based learning in elementary physical education, the Educate Maine Symposium, and Student Leadership Ambassadors of Maine (SLAM) Clubs.
Do you have a topic you want to hear on Teaching with Tech or know an educator doing exciting work with technology integration? The MLTI Ambassadors would love to hear from you! To join the conversation, email the team at DOE-LTT@maine.gov. Teaching with Tech is now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube Music.
For more information about the Teaching with Tech podcast or other MLTI Ambassador initiatives, contact the MLTI Ambassador Program Facilitator, Jonathan R. Werner, jonathan.werner@maine.gov
In early 2023, The Maine Pediatric and Behavioral Health Partnership, a partnership between The Department of Health and Human Services, Northern Light Acadia Hospital, and MaineHealth, used ECHO® Methodology to connect 125 participants across Maine, including teachers, ed techs, school nurses, social workers, counselors, and administrators to specialists in child and adolescent mental health.
Each of the six ECHO sessions contained a brief high-yield didactic presentation and provided a structured forum for those working in Maine schools to bring forward complicated behavioral health cases for exploration and review.
As a learning collaborative, we were reminded of mental health promotion skills we were already using and gained new ideas to put into action. We addressed the needs of our student population by learning from each other using case-based methodology.
As a result of the learning collaborative, MCD Global Health created the Mental Health Promotion Toolkit. A collection of helpful resources can be found inside. These materials provide information on mental health promotion, tips for addressing health disparities, and roadmaps for implementing innovative strategies to improve mental health and substance use prevention efforts in schools.
MLTI Virtual Student Conference, March 7
MLTI In-Person Student Conference, May 23
Maine DOE Newsroom 