The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is currently seeking educators to develop interdisciplinary MOOSE Modules that will align with and provide real-world context for Maine Learning Results standards and existing Maine DOE resources.
Maine’s Online Open-Source Education (MOOSE) platform provides free, interdisciplinary, project-based learning materials created by Maine teachers for Maine pre-K through grade 12 students. The Maine DOE is constantly expanding MOOSE content to meet educator needs and provide resources that highlight ongoing and emerging initiatives of the Maine DOE.
The Maine DOE is seeking a variety of Maine educators (e.g., teachers, curriculum leaders, museum educators, librarians, etc.) to develop educational material for the MOOSE platform. Applicants must be available for weekly meetings and able to dedicate 3-6 hours outside of those meetings to creating materials. Interdisciplinary cohorts will be formed for educators around topics that span across the preK-12 spectrum. Within cohorts, smaller teams will create modules between September 15 and January 23 under the guidance of the MOOSE Specialists.
If you are interested in applying but still have questions, please contact Maine DOE MOOSE Project Supervisor Jennifer Page (jennifer.page@maine.gov). The MOOSE Team will hold a recorded information session on Monday, August 25, at 4 p.m. The recording will be directly mailed to all registrants and will be posted on the Maine DOE website. Registration can be found here.
Applications can be found here and are due by Monday, September 1. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance for the program by Wednesday, September 3, and will attend their first meeting on Monday, September 15. Compensation for a fully developed, approved, and published module by January 23, 2026, is $3,000, with no partial or late payments available.
For further questions and information, please contact Maine DOE MOOSE Project Supervisor Jennifer Page at jennifer.page@maine.gov.
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is currently seeking educators to pilot MOOSE Modules and Wabanaki Studies Educator Guides with their classrooms this fall.
Maine’s Online Open-Source Education (MOOSE) platform provides free, interdisciplinary, project-based learning materials, created by Maine teachers, for Maine preK-12 students. Feedback on the modules themselves and their usability is vitally important, as we are constantly improving existing modules and applying lessons learned to new creations. In addition to the modules themselves, extensive Wabanaki Studies Educator Guides have been developed and are ready to be piloted for feedback. Educators may apply to pilot any combination of modules and/or educator guides in their classroom.
The Maine DOE is now seeking educators interested in using these materials in their classroom with five (5) or more students and providing feedback about the experience. Educators must choose their own module(s)/guide(s) to pilot and justify their decision in their application. Stipends will be provided for feedback on up to two modules and/or guides ($500 per module/guide) that have been piloted, with additional funds provided for deidentified student work and/or reflections ($50 each per module/guide). All required elements must be completed by January 23, 2026.
If you are interested in applying but still have questions, please contact MOOSE Project Manager Jennifer Page (jennifer.page@maine.gov) and/or Wabanaki Studies Specialist Brianne Lolar (brianne.lolar@maine.gov). The MOOSE Team will hold a recorded information session on Tuesday, August 26th, at 4 p.m. The recording will be directly mailed to all registrants and posted on the Maine DOE website. Registration can be found here.
If you are ready to apply, you can find applications here. Applications for the Fall 2025 session are due by Monday, September 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance for the program by Friday, September 5, 2025, and modules/guides may be piloted any time after Monday, September 15, 2025.
For further information or questions, please contact Maine DOE MOOSE Project Manager Jennifer Page at jennifer.page@maine.gov and/or Maine DOE Wabanaki Studies Specialist Brianne Lolar at brianne.lolar@maine.gov.
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) invites students, friends, families, community members, educational organizations or associations, co-workers, and supervisors to nominate school employees for the Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award. Anyone can nominate. The deadline to submit a nomination is October 15, 2025.
In collaboration with Maine Governor Janet T. Mills and the U.S. Department of Education, Maine DOE is now accepting nominations for the prestigious RISE Award. This federal award, passed by Congress and overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, is intended to honor and promote classified school employees who provide exemplary service.
Through the RISE Award, we honor the often-unsung heroes whose work behind the scenes is essential to ensuring safe, supportive, and effective learning environments. Publicly recognizing their service strengthens morale, boosts motivation, and reaffirms our commitment to valuing all roles within the education workforce.
Who Is a Classified School Employee?
A classified school employee is a staff member employed by a state, local education agency, or nonprofit entity who supports students in grades pre-K through grade 12 in any of the following occupational specialties:
Paraprofessionals / Educational Technicians
Clerical and Administrative Services
Transportation Services
Food and Nutrition Services
Custodial and Maintenance Services
Security Services
Health and Student Services
Technical Services
Skilled Trades
Examples include bus drivers, secretaries, cafeteria workers, school safety staff, health aides, technology staff, mechanics, crossing guards, and more.
Nominee Selection Criteria
Nominees must demonstrate excellence in the following five areas:
(A) Work performance: Reflects the nominee’s ability to fulfill their role with exceptional skill, dedication, and reliability
(B) School and community involvement: How nominees contribute to the broader school community, including volunteer efforts, participation in school activities, or engagement with families and local groups.
(C) Leadership and commitment: Emphasizes the nominee’s ability to inspire others, take initiative, and demonstrate a strong dedication to their role and school mission.
(D) Enhancement of classified school employees’ image in the community and schools: Highlights efforts to positively influence public perception and understanding of classified employees’ vital roles.
The Maine Department of Education will submit up to two finalists to the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of Education will select one finalist from across the United States to inspire excellence among classified school employees around the nation.
How Do I Submit a Nomination?
The deadline to submit a nomination is October 15, 2025.
For further information or questions, please reach out to Maine DOE Educator Excellence, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Christina O’Neal at christina.l.oneal@maine.gov.
Graduation reporting is due on August 30, 2025. The Maine Department of Education’s data system, Synergy, will be open in the 2024-2025 school year until August 15 for student records to be updated with accurate exit codes and dates. | More
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to announce Maine’s first-ever Green Schools Symposium on November 7, 2025—a statewide event to celebrate environmental education leadership in Maine schools. | More
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions (RCCIs). It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free lunches to children each school day. In Maine, with legislative support, Healthy School Meals for All have been available since 2021. State funding covers the portion of the meal cost that is not covered by federal funds for students attending a public school or certain private schools participating in the NSLP and School Breakfast Program (SBP). | More
At Upper Kennebec Valley Junior/Senior High School, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door; it grows, quite literally, from the ground up. What began as a student-built project in 2021 blossomed into a fully functioning greenhouse by the spring of 2022. Now, it serves as a living classroom rooted in responsibility, sustainability, and community engagement.. | More
Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, South Portland Middle School transformed how it connects with families, moving beyond the traditional open house model and limited parent-teacher conferences. By hosting a series of nine monthly events, the school created engaging opportunities for families to connect with staff members, celebrate student success, and build a stronger sense of community. | More
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to announce Maine’s first-ever Green Schools Symposium on November 7, 2025—a statewide event to celebrate environmental education leadership in Maine schools.
The gathering will showcase powerful stories of school-led climate action, foster collaboration across sectors, and provide opportunities to share practical solutions regarding reducing facilities costs and promoting healthy learning environments. Interactive workshop sessions will offer hands-on guidance on facilities management, curriculum development, green career pathways, and leadership strategies.
Register now and join students, school leaders, and sustainability professionals this November to support a robust Green School Network in Maine!
The Symposium comes after the passage of LD 1543, “An Act to Establish a Statewide Green School Network for Maine.” This initiative aims to build capacity for outdoor education and green infrastructure in Maine schools by expanding resources for clean energy adoption, curriculum development, and student-engaged sustainability planning.
The Maine DOE continues to collaborate with the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, the Maine Environmental Education Association, other State of Maine offices and departments, and community-based organizations throughout the state, which have been instrumental in advancing climate, green, outdoor, and environmental education and work.
Symposium Details
Where: Thomas College, 180 West River Road, Waterville, ME 04901
When: Friday, November 7, 2025. The Symposium starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Check-in and breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m.
Who: Teachers, students, principals, superintendents, facilities managers, businesses managers, curriculum coordinators, representatives of non-profit and community-based organizations, and other allies. Due to limited space, priority attendance will be for public schools, students, staff, and administrators.
What to Expect: The Symposium will offer interactive workshops along four tracks:
Leadership–Engage with students, principals, and superintendents to learn about innovative case studies of sustainability projects across the state. Breakout sessions will explore tangible strategies to drive change at both the school- and school administrative unit–level.
Facilities–Receive hands-on guidance from facilities managers to explore cost-effective, sustainable infrastructure solutions, from clean energy systems to waste reduction to green campus design.
Curriculum–Explore age-appropriate, interdisciplinary approaches to climate education and pathways to connect classroom learning with school facilities and operations. Breakout sessions will offer practical strategies to build and expand outdoor learning programs.
Career Pathways–Meet industry professionals to learn about green trades and professional development opportunities in Maine. Breakout groups will help attendees to identify their skills and discover how they align with Maine’s green career opportunities.
The gathering will also include student-facilitated discussions, designed to explore how Maine’s Green School Network can best meet the real needs of school leaders.
Please register here by October 31, 2025. Registration is free. Space is limited, so priority attendance will be for public schools, students, educators, staff, and administrators.
For any questions, please contact Lucy Van-Hook, Green Schools Symposium Event Coordinator, at Lucy.Van-Hook@maine.gov. For more information about the Green Schools Initiative, click here.
Graduation reporting is due on August 30, 2025. The Maine Department of Education’s data system, Synergy, will be open in the 2024-2025 school year until August 15 for student records to be updated with accurate exit codes and dates.
After August 15, Maine Education Data Management Systems (MEDMS) Support staff will need to update student exit codes and dates.
Please review records in Synergy and update as necessary before August 15.
Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, South Portland Middle School transformed how it connects with families, moving beyond the traditional open house model and limited parent-teacher conferences. By hosting a series of nine monthly events, the school created engaging opportunities for families to connect with staff members, celebrate student success, and build a stronger sense of community.
This new approach was shaped by a community needs and assets assessment that, in part, highlighted local families’ desire for more meaningful involvement. The assessment also contained three other key findings: Families are often busy; celebrating students motivates participation; and building connections is essential.
Using these insights, events were thoughtfully scheduled and designed to welcome all families. Supported by district and union leadership, the school partnered with organizations such as the Locker Project, Wayside Food Programs, and Greater Portland Health to provide meals, fresh food, and resources at events, making them accessible and welcoming.
One standout event of the series was the second annual Family Dinner in January, which drew nearly 300 attendees. Families enjoyed diverse foods from local vendors, while students took part in crafts, dancing, and open gym activities. Teachers enthusiastically staffed the event, contributing to its warm and inviting atmosphere.
“There wasn’t a single one of the staff who was acting like they ‘had’ to be there,” one parent reflected. “They were engaged, and the kids loved seeing them…What has been built here is special.”
This year-long effort culminated with the Student Showcase and Dinner, which 620 people attended. Students proudly shared their work, as families toured classrooms and hallways, celebrated achievements, and enjoyed a shared meal.
Other highlights included a staff talent show fundraiser that brought the school community together with joy and support. Attendance at all events ranged from around 100 to 775 participants, reflecting growing family engagement.
Moving forward, South Portland Middle School plans to maintain this successful programming with some adjustments and aims to involve more students and parents in planning. Special focus will be placed on increasing engagement among 7th and 8th graders, informed by recent student and upcoming parent focus groups.
By prioritizing joy, relationships, and student celebration, South Portland Middle School has built more than just a series of enjoyable events; it has established a true community, ready to grow in the years to come.
To: School Administrative Unit Administrators, Special Purpose Private School Administrators, and Public Regional Program Administrators From: Jane McLucas, Maine Department of Education Child Nutrition Director Date: August 6, 2025
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions (RCCIs). It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost, or free lunches to children each school day. In Maine, with legislative support, Healthy School Meals for All have been available since 2021. State funding covers the portion of the meal cost that is not covered by federal funds for students attending a public school or certain private schools participating in the NSLP and School Breakfast Program (SBP).
School Food Authorities (SFA) receive cash subsidies, as well as nutritious, 100-percent domestic foods—known as USDA Foods—for each reimbursable meal that they serve. In exchange, SFAs must serve meals that meet the Federal meal pattern guidelines and offer them at a free or reduced price to all eligible children. SFAs can also be reimbursed through NSLP for snacks served to children who participate in an approved afterschool program.
SFAs determine which meal programs to offer (breakfast, lunch, and/or snack) and select their operational model (self-operation, meal contracts, or commercial food service) with guidance from the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Child Nutrition team. Once operating their meal program(s), SFAs can submit claims for reimbursement monthly through the Child Nutrition program.
The Maine DOE recommends that meal provision for students attending programs outside of the school administrative unit (SAU) be addressed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the SAU and any Special Purpose Private School (SPPS) or regional program.
Eligible SAUs (e.g., traditional and public charter schools), SPPS, regional programs, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs interested in joining the NSLP will be assigned a Maine DOE Child Nutrition team member for onboarding support. The onboarding process typically takes between four and six months and includes submitting required state and federal documentation, attending a two-day, in-person “New Director Bootcamp,” selecting a program model, determining staffing needs, and meeting all compliance requirements before receiving approval to participate.
If you are interested in learning more about the NSLP and the steps required to participate, please reach out to the Maine DOE Child Nutrition team at child.nutrition@maine.gov or 207-624-6842.
At Upper Kennebec Valley Junior/Senior High School, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door; it grows, quite literally, from the ground up. What began as a student-built project in 2021 blossomed into a fully functioning greenhouse by the spring of 2022. Now, it serves as a living classroom rooted in responsibility, sustainability, and community engagement.
The Upper Kennebec Valley’s agriculture elective, led by nature-based educator Isaac Davis, immerses students in real-world learning experiences. Since launching his program in 2021, Davis has guided students through every stage of greenhouse and garden care—from soil testing and transplanting to pest control and harvesting. With class sizes averaging ten to twelve students, the program fosters a strong sense of teamwork and independence, all while exploring the science and systems behind sustainable agriculture.
Inside the greenhouse, students grow a wide variety of plants from seeds and cuttings. Colorful flowers like geraniums, marigolds, and snapdragons fill the space, alongside hearty vegetables, including tomatoes, brassicas, tubers, and even corn. The lessons, however, go far beyond plant care. Students learn how to identify and treat nutrient deficiencies and plant diseases, manage inventory, and apply best practices for integrated pest management. It is a full-circle approach that connects students to both science and the purpose behind what they grow.
In 2025, the program reached an exciting milestone: its first soft opening to the public. Students took the reins with everything—from pricing and marketing to customer service and sales—putting their learning into action and gaining invaluable entrepreneurial experience. While formal leadership roles exist, the course places greater emphasis on developing self-reliance. Students are expected to manage time-sensitive tasks and to see them through with care, pride, and ownership—skills that often carry over into their personal lives, with some students returning each fall to share how they’ve started their garden at home.
The greenhouse now operates year-round, with sections dedicated to both potted plant sales and in-ground cultivation. Support from the local community has been strong and steady. A recently introduced honor-system donation box at the entrance gives visitors a chance to contribute on their own time. All donations go toward essential operating costs, such as heating, helping the program to become increasingly self-sustaining.
That goal—true sustainability—is central to the greenhouse’s future. Davis is currently researching funding opportunities to support the addition of solar or wind power and a rainwater collection system. These upgrades are part of a larger five-year vision to make the greenhouse energy- and water-independent. In the short term, the program aims to broaden its plant selection and form partnerships with local growers, particularly for species that are difficult to start from seed.
One of the most heartening developments has come directly from the community. After several residents began donating extra plants and greenery, Davis was inspired to create a dedicated space within the greenhouse called, “The Good Will Greenhouse.” This is a place where generosity meets growth, and students take charge of managing a diverse and ever-changing inventory.
While still early in its public operations, the greenhouse is steadily gaining momentum. Social media has been the primary tool for spreading the word, and Davis anticipates more open houses and community events in the coming years. Each new class brings fresh ideas and energy to the table.
“My goal with this course is to teach patience, determination, and faith in the eventual payoff of one’s hard work,” Davis said. “It was Audrey Hepburn who once said, ‘To be a gardener is to hope in tomorrow,’ and I want my students to walk away understanding the importance of planning and investing in the future.”
At Upper Kennebec Valley, that future is already taking root—and it’s growing stronger every season.
This story was written in collaboration with Upper Kennebec Valley Junior/Senior High School.To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) would like to remind you of two National Board Certification programs, governed by statute: For teachers who have not yet achieved National Board Certification, a Scholarship Fund exists to help defray certification cost. For teachers who have already achieved National Board Certification, there is a Salary Supplement Program available. In both cases, applications are to be submitted to the Maine DOE by a teacher’s school administrative unit (SAU). | More
Across the State of Maine, educators are coming together this summer to strengthen the foundations of early learning through the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) “For ME” instructional programs. These programs, which support pre-K through grade 2 classrooms, are part of a growing initiative to provide developmentally appropriate, play-based, and standards-aligned instruction for Maine’s youngest learners. | More
At Ocean Avenue Elementary School in Portland, the final days of the 2024-2025 school year didn’t just mark the start of summer; they marked the culmination of something far more meaningful. On May 28, 2025, students, families, and staff gathered for a joyful celebration that bloomed with laughter, learning, and the unmistakable smell of fresh basil. | More
The artistic talents of an Orono High School student will take center stage the weekend of August 2 and 3, 2025, as the State of Maine celebrates its fifth annual Wild Blueberry Weekend. | More
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) would like to invite school principals to register for a year-long professional learning experience called the Transformational Leaders’ Network (TLN). The TLN offers principals an opportunity to deepen their leadership skills and network with fellow principals across the state. This dynamic, learner-centered program, facilitated by experienced educational leaders, has a rich history of success and is open to all Maine principals. | More
Registration is still open for the 2025 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Annual Summit, which will be held on August 5 and 6 at Thomas College. The two-day event, which costs $250 per person, includes breakfast, lunch, and access to nearly 100 sessions from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The Maine DOE is pleased to announce that registration fees will be waived for identified schools for up to $2,500 (the equivalent of 10 staff members) per school. Identified schools are those that have been identified as part of Maine’s Model of School Supports (MMSS). | More
Maine DOE Newsroom 