Maine DOE Update – May 8, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Maine DOE Announces New Interactive Tool for School Staff Use in Health Emergencies

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Windham High School Launches New Career-Connected Learning Program, ‘Student Exploratory Adventures’

Windham High School has launched a hands-on, career-connected learning initiative called “Student Exploratory Adventures” (SEA), made possible through funding from the Maine Community Coordinators Collaborative’s (C3) Sunshine Mini-Grant Program. | More

The 4th Door: A Student-Centered Approach to Alternative Education in Ellsworth

At Ellsworth High School, the alternative education program known as “4th Door” is built on a simple but powerful belief: Students succeed when they feel seen, supported, and connected. Through a personalized and flexible approach, this program helps students reach their unique potential while contributing to their learning community. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Maine DOE to Offer School Finance Regional Trainings in the Summer of 2026

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) School Finance Team is pleased to announce a series of in-person regional training sessions to be offered throughout the summer of 2026. School and school administrative unit (SAU) staff engaged in financial operations, compliance, and program administration are encouraged to attend. This includes, but is not limited to, superintendents, business managers, finance staff, and special education administrators. | More

From Ideas to Impact: Early Learning Solutions Lab CoP Expands Through 2026

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services, is continuing a monthly Early Learning Solutions Lab Community of Practice (CoP) as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen Maine’s mixed delivery system for early childhood education. | More

Webinar Opportunity for Maine School Leaders: Preparation Saves Lives – Strengthening Your School’s Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Protocols

In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the Maine School Superintendents Association (MSSA), the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), the Maine Department of Education (DOE), and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Maine have collaborated to provide a webinar, “Preparation Saves Lives – Strengthening Your School’s Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Protocols,” scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 9-10 a.m. This webinar is intended for school leaders, including superintendents, principals, and members of comprehensive health and safety planning teams (sometimes referred to as crisis management teams). | More

View the Maine Department of Education’s Events Calendar here.

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

The 4th Door: A Student-Centered Approach to Alternative Education in Ellsworth

The 4th Door serves approximately 30 students in grades 11 and 12 each year. Teacher Christopher Betts has led the program for the past eight years.

“This program works because I am working with students—not just the material,” Betts said.

From left to right: Alternative educator Chris Betts, and ed techs Greg Lounder and Kristi Alexander.

Student Agency at the Center

A defining feature of the 4th Door is its emphasis on student agency. Entry into the program is intentional. Students are referred into the program by school staff, counselors, families, or they may self-refer. From there, students complete a reflective application that considers their goals, strengths, and readiness for an alternative learning environment.

Students and families meet with Betts, observe the program in action, and determine if it is the right fit. Once accepted, students sign a contract outlining shared expectations for success. The contract includes:

Attending classes, making progress, and completing assignments.
Passing both alternative and mainstream classes.
Limiting distractions that impact learning.
Giving back to the learning community.

These expectations create a foundation of accountability while reinforcing students’ ownership of their learning.

Personalized Pathways to Success

Each student in 4th Door follows a personalized learning pathway supported by clear structures and consistent guidance. The program emphasizes hands-on, project-based, and individualized approaches to meet diverse learning needs. Betts has developed a comprehensive Google Classroom, dedicating countless hours to curating a wide range of curriculum resources, scaffolded assignments, and instructional videos. He noted that alternative education teachers often act as “hoarders” of curriculum, collecting and organizing materials, so they can effectively meet students where they are.

Most of Betts’ students are enrolled in both mainstream and alternative classes. To support them in managing their coursework, he maintains individualized checklists that track progress across all classes. He works closely with students to set weekly goals, breaking larger assignments into manageable steps. This approach helps students build momentum, reduce overwhelm, and gain confidence.

The program’s flexibility allows students to:

Work at their own pace.
Explore topics aligned with their interests.
Engage in meaningful discussions about real-world issues.
Contribute to the development of learning materials.

This model places students firmly in the driver’s seat while ensuring they are supported every step of the way.

The program is also adaptable to individual postsecondary goals. For example, one of Betts’ seniors has been accepted to Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) and the University of Maine (UMaine) to study mechanical engineering. He plans to attend EMCC for two years and then UMaine. Students in the program say it allows them to reconnect with their education and work toward their goals.

Accountability with Support

The 4th Door maintains clear expectations while also providing a highly supportive setting. Participation is viewed as a privilege, and students are expected to demonstrate effort and consistent progress.

When challenges arise, the program uses restorative practices to help students reflect, repair, and move forward. A structured system outlines expectations, consequences, and opportunities for students to regain good standing, and the system reinforces both responsibility and growth.

“This system allows for checks and balances. Students know I have their backs and that I will advocate for them, but they have to demonstrate they want to be here,” Betts said. “They do that by engaging in the program and contributing positively to our learning community.”

Connecting Learning to the Real World

Betts has recognized that many of his students balance full-time school with employment. In response, he has incorporated a work-based learning component into 4th Door by partnering with local employers to support students who need to work while attending school.

“Some students need to work. It is not a choice. They are showing up to school exhausted,” Betts explained.

Through the work-study component, students can earn up to two academic credits while developing essential career-readiness skills. Betts tracks progress by collecting pay stubs and employer evaluations, which focus on areas such as punctuality, professionalism, and communication.

Relationships at Its Core

At the heart of the 4th Door are authentic relationships. Social-emotional learning is not a separate initiative but something embedded in daily interactions and experiences.

Students consistently describe the program as a safe and inclusive space where they can be themselves without fear of judgment. For many, this sense of belonging is transformative. One student, for example, who struggled to engage in a traditional setting due to an undiagnosed chronic illness credits the program with helping them stay on track and ultimately graduate.

Betts explained that the classroom serves as a “home base,” especially for students who are experiencing anxiety. In this environment, students can show up authentically, build meaningful connections, and learn alongside peers with diverse experiences and learning styles.

A Dedicated Team

The program is supported by a dedicated team consisting of one teacher and two educational technicians. Together, they create a structured yet flexible environment that prioritizes responsiveness, relationships, and student success.

With eight years of experience leading the program, Betts emphasizes a guiding philosophy that this work is not just about delivering content; it is about supporting students as individuals and helping them build a path forward.

This story was written in collaboration with Ellsworth High School (Ellsworth School Department) as part of an ongoing series to highlight alternative education programs across Maine. For more information about alternative education, please visit the Maine DOE Alternative Education webpage or contact Aubrie Howard, Maine DOE Student Success and Wellbeing Specialist, at aubrie.howard@maine.gov. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

Windham High School Launches New Career-Connected Learning Program, ‘Student Exploratory Adventures’

Pictured: Students dug their hands in the soil as they explored agriculture in Maine at Avalon Acres, a MOFGA certified organic farm in Hollis. Before this soil-filled adventure, they learned the art of indoor gardening from an RSU 14 STEM teacher, touring the Katahdin program’s hydroponic garden that grows lettuce and spinach for the Windham High School cafeteria.

SEA is designed to connect students with employers, community leaders, and industries across Maine, offering real-world experiences that extend learning well beyond the classroom. Through quarterly extended learning opportunities (ELOs), students explore Maine’s workforce and economic landscape while gaining exposure to potential career pathways in fields such as aquaculture, hospitality, law, agriculture, manufacturing, and forestry.

“The Aquaculture ELO really solidified my interest in biology, and I made new friends with similar interests,” one student shared.

“I gave it a five-star rating because it was something completely new to me and allowed me to experiment with different career paths,” another student reflected.

During their aquaculture adventure at the Downeast Institute in Beals, students discovered the science behind growing oysters, clams, etc., and toured the Institute's shellfish production labs, dipping their hands in the lab's touch tank.

SEA emphasizes direct engagement through site visits to local businesses, cultural institutions, colleges, and community organizations, paired with conversations with professionals in these fields. These experiences encourage students to step outside their comfort zones and imagine futures they may not have previously considered.

“I hadn’t thought about a career in aquaculture before, but this experience gave me real insight into what that could look like,” one participant said.

While at Migis Lodge in Casco, students created their own charcuterie boards while learning about presentation, pricing, and profit. By applying math skills, they calculated that each board would need to sell for $20 to turn a profit. This hands-on adventure was led by the owner of Ironclad Eats Food Truck based out of Windham.

SEA has been running throughout the 2025-2026 school year, offering one experience per quarter. SEA’s mission is to support students’ intellectual, creative, and social growth by fostering curiosity, confidence, and informed decision-making through hands-on learning. By connecting students directly with Maine’s workforce and communities, SEA is helping young people broaden their horizons and take meaningful steps toward their future.

Windham High School’s Director of Community Connections, Lorraine Glowczak, leads this effort and has demonstrated a commitment to high-quality, career-connected learning and expanding ELOs that link students and potential career pathways. (Check out this article by Glowczak.) Windham High School started its ELO program in 2022 with the support of the Maine DOE. SEA is an example of this impactful work, which was expanded and made possible in part through the Sunshine Mini-Grant Program.

Before diving into charcuterie board creation, students heard from staff at Migis Lodge in Casco about the wide range of careers in Vacationland's hospitality industry. Inspired by the visit, several students have applied and will be joining the Migis Lodge team this summer. — Before diving into charcuterie board creation, students heard from staff at Migis Lodge in Casco about the wide range of careers in Vacationland’s hospitality industry. Inspired by the visit, several students have applied and will be joining the Migis Lodge team this summer.

Since 2023, the Sunshine Mini-Grant Program has awarded 18 grants, totaling $88,000, engaging approximately 300 students statewide. Administered through Maine C3, the program supports schools with limited resources in piloting innovative ELOs while addressing barriers such as poverty, transportation challenges, and limited access to mentors. Collectively, these efforts have expanded student access to real-world learning experiences that inform career interests and future educational decisions.

For further information about ELOs and Maine’s efforts to expand career exploration for Maine students, please visit the Maine DOE ELO webpage or contact Maine DOE Extended Learning Coordinator Lana Sawyer at Lana.Sawyer@maine.gov.

This story was written in collaboration with Windham High School. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

Webinar Opportunity for Maine School Leaders: Preparation Saves Lives – Strengthening Your School’s Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Protocols

In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the Maine School Superintendents Association (MSSA), the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), the Maine Department of Education (DOE), and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Maine have collaborated to provide a webinar, “Preparation Saves Lives – Strengthening Your School’s Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Protocols,” scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 9-10 a.m. This webinar is intended for school leaders, including superintendents, principals, and members of comprehensive health and safety planning teams (sometimes referred to as crisis management teams).

Recognizing that many school leaders have had to navigate leadership following crises—particularly those involving the death of a student due to suicide—this webinar will provide the tools needed for summer reflection and planning for suicide prevention, response, and recovery. Mary Gagnon, Senior Director of Prevention and Workplace Well-Being for NAMI Maine, will share her experiences over the past two years in supporting school administrative units (SAUs) with this work. She will provide resources and lessons learned to help school leaders prepare for and respond to crises, including the death of a student or other school community member following a suicide.

The following tools will be shared with participants throughout this webinar:

A checklist to help participants review their school’s suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention protocols, ensuring alignment with national best practices
Sample protocols for suicide prevention, intervention, or postvention, which participants are welcome to use within their SAU
A sample calendar with month-by-month suggestions for how suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention can be sustained

Those interested in attending may register for the webinar here.

In a show of support for those living with mental illness, and in an effort to fight stigma, the planning team from MSSA, Maine CDC, Maine DOE, and NAMI Maine, will wear green in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. Please consider participating.

From Ideas to Impact: Early Learning Solutions Lab CoP Expands Through 2026

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services, is continuing a monthly Early Learning Solutions Lab Community of Practice (CoP) as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen Maine’s mixed delivery system for early childhood education.

The landscape of early childhood education in Maine is evolving. The expansion of public preschool programs and recent legislation transitioning special education services for children ages three to five from Child Development Services (CDS) to public schools underscore the growing need for a strong, coordinated mixed delivery system. Such a system—one that intentionally integrates public schools and community-based early care and education (ECE) providers—is essential to ensuring all children have equitable access to high-quality early learning opportunities from birth through the early elementary years.

Building and sustaining a robust mixed delivery system requires communities and educational institutions to move beyond siloed approaches and embrace collaborative, inclusive strategies that respond to the diverse needs of children, families, and educators in their communities. As such, early childhood administrators and educators from both public schools and community-based programs are invited to join the Early Learning Solutions Lab CoP, which focuses on strengthening mixed delivery from a community-centered approach. By creating consistent opportunities for collaboration, reflection, and shared learning, this work helps ensure that all children and families have access to coordinated, high-quality early childhood experiences.

Building on the strong engagement and success from earlier sessions, the Early Learning Solutions Lab CoP will meet monthly from May through December 2026. The CoP will be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 1:30-2:45 p.m. Those interested in participating may register here.

Each month will focus on a key topic, with opportunities for participants to learn from subject matter experts, explore practical tools, and engage in meaningful discussion. Participation in all CoP sessions is not required but is highly encouraged.

A tentative schedule is as follows:

Month	Topic	Resources
May 26	The Basics	Infant-Toddler and Preschool Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS)
June 23	Sustainability Planning	Help Me Grow
July 28	Nature-Based Approaches	Maine Prevention Councils
August 25	K Transition as a Whole-Year Approach	Early Childhood Education Consultation for ME
September 22	Community Partner Panel Discussion	Early Childhood Special Education website
October 27	Whole Family Partnership/Engagement	Ages and Stages Questionnaire
*November 17	Data Sharing and Partnership	Early Intervention health resource
*December 15	Early Learning Solutions Lab Celebrations and Highlights	Maine Roads To Quality/Maine DOE supports

*scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month, due to a holiday

With questions, please contact Maine DOE Early Learning Team members Michelle Belanger at Michelle.Belanger@maine.gov or Sue Gallant at Sue.Gallant@maine.gov.

Maine DOE to Offer School Finance Regional Trainings in the Summer of 2026

The topics to be covered in all training sessions include:

The Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding formula, including changes from LD 2226
Account coding
MaineCare
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) funding
Education Service Centers (ESC)
School closure cost analysis

Each training session will begin at 8:30 a.m. and run until about 3 p.m. Plans for specific venues are still being finalized, but the general locations and training dates are as follows:

Portland area—Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Farmington area—Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Augusta area—Thursday, July 23, 2026
Aroostook area—Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Bangor area—Wednesday, August 5, 2026

To register for a training session, please complete this form. Further information about training sessions will be available via the Maine DOE Event Calendar as the training dates approach. Please note that individual registrations are required for each person planning to attend a training session.

With questions, please contact Charlotte Ellis at charlotte.ellis@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Announces New Interactive Tool for School Staff Use in Health Emergencies

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Coordinated School Health Team is pleased to share a new interactive tool designed to assist all school and school administrative unit (SAU) staff in responding quickly, safely, and effectively to emergent injury and illness situations. It contains interactive flowcharts that guide real-time decision-making, helping users to determine the correct course of action when students are injured or become ill at school or during school-sponsored activities—especially when licensed medical personnel are not immediately available.

This interactive tool is based on the larger, downloadable School Health Emergency Quick Guide: How to Respond to Injury and Illness at School PDF, developed in partnership with Maine Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMS-C) program for Maine schools and adapted, with permission, from the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Both the PDF and corresponding interactive tool contain detailed steps for responding to various health emergencies, such as allergic reactions, mental health crises, suspected overdoses, and more. The material follows current emergency response best practices and includes a CPR/AED quick reference, standard precautions guidance, emergency contact numbers for Poison Control and the Maine Crisis Line, and a full references section.

To access the School Health Emergency Quick Guide interactive tool, please click here. Information about how to save this interactive tool directly to the home screen of a smartphone and/or tablet for instant access is included at that link. (Please note that a connection to the Internet is required for use.)

Please share this new resource widely with your school/SAU networks. Those with questions should contact the Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports at DOESchoolandStudentSupports@maine.gov.

As always, staff should inform the school nurse, administration, and the student’s parent/legal guardian as soon as possible in a health emergency situation. When in doubt, call 911.

Maine DOE Update – May 1, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Request for Applications Now Open for Maine Career Pathways Pilot Opportunity

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in collaboration with the Maine Department of Labor (DOL), has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for funding from eligible organizations for the Maine Career Pathways (MCP) pilot opportunity. | More

Community Schools Updates: Maine DOE Announces 2026-2027 Grantees and Request for Information from SAU Leaders

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce the completion of the Community Schools Request for Application (RFA) process for the 2026-2027 school year. This funding is provided pursuant to M.R.S. Title 20-A, §15689-A, under which the Maine Education Commissioner may provide funding to school administrative units (SAUs) to support the establishment of a community school(s). | More

Recognizing the Importance of Financial Literacy and Personal Finance Education

This article was written by Maine Department of Education (DOE) Financial Literacy Teacher Leader Fellow Mark Ashe, who currently teaches at Cape Elizabeth High School. It highlights information and resources for National Financial Literacy Month. | More

Grant Opportunity Announcement: Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce the Inclusive Higher Education Grant Program, a competitive funding opportunity designed to expand and strengthen postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder. | More

Nearly 500 Individuals Gather for Maine’s Second Annual Inclusive Education Conference

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education, in partnership with the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), proudly hosted the second annual Maine Inclusive Education Conference on April 8, 2026, at the Augusta Civic Center, welcoming nearly 500 educators, administrators, families, and community partners from across the state. | More

Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network Seeking Feedback on Needs Assessment Survey

The Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network (MRTQ PDN), in partnership with the Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine, the University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, and the Maine Afterschool Network, is conducting a needs assessment survey to better understand practitioner interests related to professional development in early childhood and out-of-school-time programs. | More

Alternative Education Association of Maine Hosts Spring Conference in Waterville

The Alternative Education Association (AEA) of Maine successfully hosted its 2026 Spring Conference on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Colby College in Waterville. The conference theme, “Building Resilience for All,”brought together alternative education teachers, administrators, superintendents, and school staff from across the state for a day of learning, collaboration, and renewed energy. | More

Maine Middle Schools Invited to Join the 2026 Life Happens Outside® Challenge

Teens to Trails has brought back its annual statewide challenge for a week of outdoor time in May, with cash prizes for top-participating schools. Last spring, 6,454 Maine middle school students logged nearly 5 million minutes outdoors in a single week. The idea is simple: Time outside is good for kids. | More

Alternative Education Association of Maine Seeking Nominations for Alternative Educator of the Year, Martin Mackey Memorial Scholarship, and Retiree Recognition Program

The Alternative Education Association (AEA) of Maine is currently accepting nominations for the 2025-2026 Alternative Educator of the Year award and the 2025-2026 Martin Mackey Memorial Scholarship for graduating seniors. AEA of Maine is also seeking submissions for a program honoring alternative education teachers and support staff who are retiring at the end of this school year. Submissions for all three opportunities are due by May 15, 2026. | More

Nominations Open for 2026 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Teacher of the Year Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AHPERD) Teacher of the Year awards. Nominations are due by Saturday, May 30, 2026. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Mount Abram High School Students Experience the Arts in New York City

Thanks to a generous grant from the Carrabassett Valley School Committee, Mount Abram High School students (MSAD 58) have had the opportunity over the past two years to experience immersive, real-world learning through arts-focused trips to New York City. These experiences have brought classroom lessons to life in one of the world’s most vibrant cultural hubs. | More

ExCEL: A Relationship-Centered Alternative Education Program at MSAD 15

As students at MSAD 15’s Gray-New Gloucester High School settle into their seats for English class, a calm, authentic energy fills the room. Laura Fralich, Expanding Choices for Each Learner (ExCEL) Alternative Education teacher, prepares to begin, having arranged her classroom so that the desks form a circle, and everyone can see one another. She starts each class by asking students a reflective question, intending to build relationships and community, which is the foundation of ExCEL. | More

Student Leadership on Display During Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School’s ‘Respect Day’

Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School recently hosted its annual “Respect Day,” a student-led event intended to support global citizenship and cultural understanding among youth by allowing students to engage in workshops offered by community partners and educators. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Leading Early Learning Fellowship: A Professional Learning Series for Elementary School Administrators

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the fifth cohort of the Leading Early Learning Fellowship, which will launch during the 2026-2027 school year. Applications will be accepted through July 10, 2026. | More

Reminder: 2026 For ME Instructional Programs Overview and Summer Training Opportunities

Since 2018, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has adapted and piloted the For ME Instructional Programs for early elementary grades (pre-K to grade 2), based on the Boston Public Schools’ evidence-based Focus Curricula. These open-source, developmentally appropriate instructional programs are interdisciplinary and align with Maine’s learning standards. | More

View the Maine Department of Education’s Events Calendar here.

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Student Leadership on Display During Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School’s ‘Respect Day’

Pictured: Back row, left to right—Lilah (grade 10), Della (grade 10), Dayna (grade 12), Maisy (grade 9), Kali (grade 9), Emma (grade 12), Cedar (grade 12), Ronan (grade 12), Grady (grade 11), Asher (grade 11). Front row, left to right—Charlotte (grade 10), Elja (grade 10), Emma (grade 12), Rae (grade 12), Tristan (grade 11).

Designed and facilitated by students, Respect Day provides opportunities for youth to explore the concept of respect through a variety of lenses, such as healthcare, public safety, cultural experiences, arts, and identity. Students attended sessions and activities based on their own interests, creating a personalized learning experience that connected school, community, and future pathways.

“When students feel empowered, they become agents of change. We need to recognize that we’re not only in the business of preparing students to be leaders of the future but that they have a tremendous amount of power that can have a profound impact now,” Travis Palmer, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Social Studies Teacher and Civil Rights Team Co-Advisor, said.

Pictured (from left to right): Maisy (grade 9), Della (grade 10), and Cedar (grade 12)

A key element of the day’s success was the level of student ownership over the event. In addition to selecting what workshops would be available at Respect Day, students helped prepare the broader school community for what to expect. Through school announcements, digital platforms, and peer outreach, they communicated the purpose of Respect Day and helped build excitement around the learning opportunities it would offer. Families were also encouraged to speak with students about the day’s activities, helping to build a shared understanding of its purpose.

“Respect Day is such a nice way to see my peers interacting with people and cultures that they would not usually get the chance to. When picking workshops and guests to come in and share with us, we always try to keep in mind what students would enjoy doing while still learning something new,” Cedar Worster, a senior at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, said. Worster is also a member of the Maine State Board of Education and is the 2025-2026 co-chair of the Maine DOE Student Cabinet.

Respet Day reflected a strong, collaborative school culture. Educators and staff supported students in ways that encouraged independence while reinforcing a sense of belonging. From facilitation of sessions such as Ukrainian egg-decorating to a community policing panel to culturally inclusive school meals, the day demonstrated a schoolwide commitment to respect in action.

When asked about the success of Respect Day, Principal Paul Bickford emphasized where the credit belongs: “The students pulled this off.”

Respect Day at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School serves as a meaningful example of how schools can foster student agency and leadership, elevate student voice, and create inclusive learning environments that extend beyond the classroom.

Nominations Open for 2026 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Teacher of the Year Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AHPERD) Teacher of the Year awards. Nominations are due by Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Maine AHPERD Teacher of the Year awards are presented to health education, physical education, and adapted physical education teachers who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their students and profession. The following teacher categories are eligible for consideration:

Elementary Physical Education
Middle School Physical Education
High School Physical Education
Adapted Physical Education
Middle School Health Education
High School Health Education

Maine AHPERD would like to recognize teachers throughout the state in all of these categories. The criteria to nominate a teacher can be found in the nomination form. Again, nominations are due May 30, 2026.

With questions, please contact Rick Kramer, Executive Director of Maine AHPERD, at executivedirector.mahperd@gmail.com.

The Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AHPERD) is a nonprofit organization for professionals and students in related fields of health, physical education, recreation, and dance. Maine AHPERD is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Mainers by supporting and promoting effective educational practices, quality curriculum, instruction, and assessment in the areas of health, physical education, recreation, dance, and related fields.