There is Still Time to Nominate Maine’s Teacher of the Year!

Help Honor and Elevate Maine Teachers by nominating them for County and State Teacher of the Year – nominations close on February 4th!

The Maine Department of Education and Educate Maine would like to thank members of the public who have taken the opportunity to elevate an educator through the nomination of Maine’s Teacher of the Year. There is still time to nominate educators who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and who inspire the achievement of all students. Nominations remain open for the 2022 County Teachers of the Year and 2023 Teacher of the Year through 5:00pm on Feb. 4, 2022.

Nominations can be made through a nomination form on the Maine Teacher of the Year Website.  Nominations will be accepted from students, parents, caregivers, community members, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members, and associations/organizations (self-nominations, and nominations from family members are not accepted).

To be considered for the County and Maine Teacher of the Year award, a person must:

Be employed by a Maine public school including PK-12, Career and Technical Education sites and centers, and/or Adult Education Programs
Hold the appropriate professional certification for their position
Be actively teaching students at least 50% of full-time at the time of nomination and during the year of recognition
Have been teaching for a minimum of five years – three of which are in Maine
Remain teaching in the County for which they are selected during year of recognition

Maine’s County and State Teachers of the Year serve as advocates for teachers, students, and public education in Maine. They serve as advisors to the Department of Education and state-level education stakeholders across Maine.  Additionally, County and State Teachers of the Year join a cohort of teacher leaders that actively work together for the betterment of education in Maine. They also receive on-going professional learning and participate in many state and county leadership opportunities.

The 2022 County Teachers of the Year will be announced in May. The 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year will be selected from the 16 county honorees. The field will be narrowed to eight semi-finalists, and then three state finalists before the Maine Teacher of the Year is announced by Maine’s Education Commissioner at a school assembly in the fall. Each year, State and County Teachers of the Year are honored at the annual Teacher of the Year Gala also held in the fall.

On behalf of, and in partnership with Maine Department of Education, the Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine, a business-led organization whose mission is to champion college, career readiness, and increased education attainment. Funding is provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River Co., Geiger, Hannaford, the Maine Lottery, the Silvernail Family, and Unum, with support from the State Board of Education and the Maine State Teacher of the Year Association.

The Maine Teacher of the Year program is committed to a nomination and selection process that ensures people of all backgrounds are represented.  Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education champion that commitment by encouraging the nomination of educators from all culturally diverse experiences and backgrounds.

For more information about the Maine Teacher of the Year program, visit the Maine Teacher of the Year website. 

Maine DOE Update – January 28, 2022

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

MEDIA RELEASE: Education Commissioner Pender Makin Helps Fill Staff Shortages at Readfield Elementary School

Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin helped alleviate some of the pandemic-related staff shortages at Readfield Elementary School today by helping teachers in several classes and working lunch duty. | More

Register NOW for 2022 Maine Virtual Career Fair School

Maine’s C3 (Community Coordinators Collaborative), in partnership with the Maine Department of Education and Association of Computer and Technology Educators (ACTEM), will be hosting its second annual statewide Virtual Career Fair on March 22 – 23, 2022. | More

Pine Tree District FIRST Robotics Competition to be held In-Person at Thomas College in March

The Pine Tree District FIRST Robotics Competition’s 2022 official season kicked off on January 8th with 24 teams registering to compete later this year. The event will take place from Friday, March 11th through Sunday, March 13th at Thomas College in Waterville. | More

School Librarians Invited to Apply for Innovation Grant Through New England School Library Association

The New England School Library Association (NESLA) has announced a new grant established to encourage the development of innovative projects by school librarians in K-12 schools in the New England region. | More

Sign up for Civil Rights Team Project Newsletter

Administered by the Office of the Maine Attorney General, the mission of the Civil Rights Team Project is to increase the safety of elementary, middle level, and high school students by reducing bias-motivated behaviors and harassment in our schools. | More

Public Meeting Notice for LD 313 Work Force Group on Career and Technical Education

On Wednesday, February 2, 2022 from 8:00-10:00 am, the Work Force Group for LD 313 will hold its next meeting hosted by the Department of Education. | More

Approval of FY 2022 School Revolving Renovation Fund Applications

MLTI Virtual Student Conference T-Shirt Design Competition: MLTI Launches Space2Connect!

MLTI (Maine Learning Technology Initiative) would like to encourage students to collaborate and share the creative work taking place in their schools – with that in mind MLTI will be hosting a T-shirt Design Competition. | More

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine Department of Education Announces 2021/2022 Student Cabinet

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has announced that 21 Maine students have been selected to join its Student Cabinet for the 2021/2022 school year. The newest members will join 14 students serving their 2nd year as Student Cabinet members, along with the Maine State Board of Education’s two Student Representatives who also serve on the Cabinet each year. | More

Sign up for the Maine App Challenge!

Are you a student who’s interested in app design? Or a teacher looking for ways to get your students more involved with innovative processes? Consider signing up for the Maine App Challenge! Since 2015, the Maine App Challenge has provided Maine students with the opportunity to delve into the technology sector of app design and development. The Maine App Challenge is open to middle and high school students age 13+. Submissions give students a chance to win scholarships and other prizes. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute 2022 – 2023

The Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute is a unique opportunity to impact your entire community! 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. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

MEDIA RELEASE: Education Commissioner Pender Makin Helps Fill Staff Shortages at Readfield Elementary School

The heightened transmissibility of Omicron has resulted in reduced staff in schools and increased the strain on educators and school staff across Maine. Readfield Elementary was one of several schools in RSU 38 last week that moved to remote learning due to staff shortages, and schools across the state have been forced to do the same in recent weeks. Makin encouraged Maine residents to become substitutes and volunteer for what schools need to help fill the gap caused by these shortages.

“It was such a joy to be with students and staff at Readfield Elementary today and to be able to lend a helping hand when everyone is stretched so thin,” said Maine Commissioner of Education Pender Makin. “There’s a tremendous need in our schools right now for parents and members of the community to become substitutes and volunteers so that we can keep schools open and serving the needs of Maine children. We as individuals can make a real difference in this moment and I encourage Mainers to help fill the needs in our schools.”

“In all my years working in education, I’ve never had a Commissioner reach out and do what you are doing,” said Readfield Elementary School Principal Jeff Boston upon greeting Makin. “You know your roots!”

Superintendent Jay Charette was also on hand and has been filling in as high school principal in recent weeks to cover shortages. “Our motto is ‘all hands on deck’,” he said in describing their approach to handling shortages.

While at Readfield, Makin helped students with their math skills in Ms. Gordon’s Math Intervention room, worked with 1st grade students in Miss Tarrio’s class to create glossaries for books they are working on, sat with and helped students in the Readiness Skills Program eat their lunches, and also took the opportunity to play paper, rock, scissors with students while on lunch duty.

Photos from the day are available upon request and will be shared on social media by following @MDOENews.

Public Meeting Notice for LD 313 Work Force Group on Career and Technical Education

On Wednesday, February 2, 2022 from 8:00-10:00 am, the Work Force Group for LD 313 will hold its next meeting hosted by the Department of Education.

LD 313 was passed in the 130th legislature and is focused on several topics regarding Career and Technical Education. If you would like to join as an attendee and listen to the discussion, you can use the following link at the time of the meeting.

Work Force Group for LD 313 02/02/22 Meeting link: https://mainestate.zoom.us/j/84462600182

If you have any comments on the discussion, you can send an email to cte.doe@maine.gov .

Approval of FY 2022 School Revolving Renovation Fund Applications

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has awarded $39 million in School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF) loans to 30 school administrative units (SAUs). The loans will be used to complete 117 health, safety, compliance, and building system projects at 62 schools. The projects include structural roof repairs, indoor air quality improvements, ADA upgrades, hazardous material removal, life safety renovations, security enhancements, window and door replacements, and water system repairs. A portion of each loan is considered a grant and is forgiven while the remaining balance of the loan is paid back at a zero percent interest rate.

The complete list of approved projects can be viewed here. Further information about the SRRF can be found here.

For additional information about the SRRF program please contact Ann Pinnette at (207) 215-3809 or ann.pinnette@maine.gov.

Sign up for Civil Rights Team Project Newsletter

The Civil Rights Team Project recently revamped their newsletter to broaden their reach to Maine schools and community across Maine.

See the latest Issue: Winter 2021-2022 Issue of The Torch

To sign up to receive the newsletter email:

Kathryn Caulfield, Project Assistant, kathryn.caulfield@maine.gov

Brandon Baldwin, Project Director, brandon.baldwin@maine.gov

For more information about the Civil Rights Team Project, visit their website.

MLTI Virtual Student Conference T-Shirt Design Competition: MLTI Launches Space2Connect!

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 19th Annual MLTI Student Conference, which will be held on Thursday, May 26th virtually over Zoom.

MLTI Launches Space2Connect! is the theme for the 19th annual MLTI Student Conference. The intent of the conference theme is to reflect the many interpretations of space and connection as they relate to Maine students and their use of technology. Primary events at the conference will address concepts such as outer space and astronomy and the power of technology to enhance science. In addition, a student’s design might explore how technology connects us in physical and virtual spaces or other concepts that arise from the Space2Connect theme.

Review T-Shirt Design Competition eligibility and submission guidelines

Competition Timeline & Important Dates

Competition opens: February 1, 2022
T-shirt designs due: March 1, 2022 (no late entries will be accepted)
Finalists selected and Winner Announced: March 11, 2022.

Submit your entry with this 2022 MLTI Student Conference T-Shirt Design Competition Submission Form

For more information or answers to questions, please contact: Brandi Cota, Project Manager, Maine Learning Technology Initiative Brandi.M.Cota@Maine.Gov.

South Portland Students’ Poetry Featured in Community Celebration of ‘Hope and Light’

The South Portland community celebrated the season of light and hope at the Millcreek Tree Lighting Celebration last month, featuring students from South Portland School Department reading poetry.

Hosted annually by South Portland Parks and Recreation, South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, and South Portland Human Rights Commission, the event showcases over 5 miles of lights that are strung around the various trees that grace Millcreek Park in the City of South Portland.

Families and community members enjoyed an outdoor evening wandering around Millcreek Park, listening to high school musicians sing festive tunes, warming themselves by fire pits, taking selfies with Santa, and greeting neighbors as they sipped hot cocoa and ate popcorn.

This year, the theme of light and hope was beautifully represented in the poem and essay selected to be shared that evening. Be The Light, by Mahoney Middle School student Sarah Beth Lupien and Hope and Light, by South Portland High School student Landinha Josefina were read to the crowd. Other poems which earned honorable mention were Imagine… by Victoria Mambu (written in Portuguese and English), Light and Hope by Eme Brown, and Little Firefly by Gretchen Hanley.

This year’s new element was a visual art piece introduced by the South Portland Human Rights Commission. Sputnik Animation, in collaboration with local artists Pedro Vazquez, James LaPlante, Cindy Thompson and Joe Goodwin, introduced a 20 ft. tall fabric structure which could be seen from every corner of Millcreek Park. Authentic images of light and hope from cultures around the world were aslo projected onto a screen throughout the evening. The event also collaborated with South Portland Bus Service to provide free city bus rides, to help families attend the event.

“How amazing for these students to get the chance to express themselves and their cultures through art, leadership, and performance,” said Deqa Dhalac, Maine Department of Education Family Engagement/Cultural Responsiveness Specialist. “At a time when the pandemic has separated us in so many ways, it is so wonderful to see schools and community groups look for ways to stay connected through it all.”

The evening culminated with presentations at the gazebo by outgoing mayor Misha Pride, president of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce Alice Goodwin, as well as poems on the theme of light and hope shared by South Portland students. DJ Genius Black helped the crowd share in some collective positive energy to turn on the decorated trees around Millcreek Park.

BE THE LIGHT

Sarah Beth Lupien
Student at Mahoney Middle School

Hope is a smile
Hope is a conversation between strangers
Hope is a laugh
Hope is a positive message: Be kind, love always
Hope is a light in the dark

Light is “I’m here for you”
Light is “It will be okay”
Light is “I’ll help you”
Light is “We’ll get through this together”
Light is saying “I love you” and meaning it

So be the sun
Rise every day
And when darkness surrounds you
Find a way to shine again

So be the moon
Light up the sky
And when you can’t find your light
May other help you shine again

When you find yourself in a sea of storms
Find your power, find your hope
Find the courage to find your light
Because the light will not come
Because the light does not come
The light is already there
You are the light
So be the light
Find the hope
Be the light

Hope and Light

Landinha Josefina
Student at South Portland High School

What is hope? It is said that hope gives us the strength that we all need to overcome our sadnesses and troubles. Hope is a belief that we all must have, believing that something good will happen, something that will brighten our present and future, something that will make us happy and something that will lighten up our day. Hope comes anytime and any day to lighten up our life. Throughout the pandemics last year we didn’t get the chance to gather here like we are today and that is what I call hope.

Imagine…

Victoria Mambu
Student at Memorial Middle School

The destruction
the extinction
What it means to us
the hunger
the thirst
Imagine being in your home
and suddenly not returning
To leave the place
where you could recreate
and be reborn
only because of a being
who does not know how to live
nor understands what survives.
Knowing that the same air
the animal emanates
You also breathe

Imagine…

A destruição
a extinção
o que isso significa para nós
fome
sede
imagina você estar no seu lar
e de repente não voltar
deixar o lugar
de onde podia procriar
e renascer
só por causa de um ser
que não sabe e compreender
o que sobreviver
saber que o mesmo ar
que você respira
o animal também transpira

Light and Hope

Eme Brown
Student at Mahoney Middle School

I am walking through the Park
I see lights everywhere
Those lights give me a spark in my eye
A spark that tells me to find faith and hope
It took me a while to find it,
But eventually I did.

I have faith we will get through the pandemic together
I have hope we will have the best holiday season ever
Although we have to battle the pandemic
We will defeat it together.

Bright holidays to all
And to all of us
A hopeful night.

Little Firefly

Gretchen Hanley
Student at South Portland High School

We’ve traveled long and far
Worked tirelessly and hard
But even the strongest seemed weak at times
After all, we were blindly climbing, searching for a sign
So many fell, begging to stay
To hold on, at least until day
All that we’ve done, those who were lost
Some gave up, some couldn’t go on
We were swallowed by the dark
But through the eclipse we saw a spark
One brave soul lit the night
It wasn’t much, just a small simple light
A single firefly lead the way
A single firefly kept us awake
But that single firefly turned into more
What started with one, soon became four
Suddenly a million lights danced through the sky
So shine your light little firefly
It started so small
But it kept us alive

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine Department of Education Announces 2021/2022 Student Cabinet

This is the third year the Maine DOE has appointed students to a Student Cabinet with the goal of integrating student voice into decision-making on education issues that impact their journey, and those of their peers, through Maine’s education system. In past years students have helped in highlighting mental health needs at school, raised issues of racial equity, and helped brainstorm ways to individualize learning.

“I’m thrilled to welcome our newest members of our Student Cabinet and to welcome back our returning members. Student Cabinet members come from every part of our state and reflect the full diversity of our student population, bringing their ideas, voice and experiences to the table to strengthen our schools,” said Commissioner of Education Pender Makin. “Their perspectives and their power to innovate, problem solve, and bring fresh ideas are critically important to our work at the Department of Education, and I look forward to working with this group of leaders.”

The Student Cabinet convenes virtually each month starting in December to provide regular input to Maine DOE. This year is a special opportunity for Cabinet members to design pilot projects that reflect on the past two school years, and reinvent how schools think about remote and responsive learning as part of the Reinventing Responsive Education Ventures (RREV) initiative. RREV is the product of a $16.9 million award from U.S. DOE to support systemic investments which will strengthen a culture of innovation in PK-12 education and enhance learning experiences for all students. As part of this year’s program, the students are currently using design thinking processes to help identify and develop solutions to complex problems in education.

Comprised of 37 students in grades 5 – 12 and first year of college from all 16 counties in Maine, Maine DOE Student Cabinet members serve as representatives and advocates for the unique educational challenges in their region, as well as for underrepresented student groups who may face challenges in education.

To learn more about the Maine DOE Student Cabinet visit: The Maine DOE Student Cabinet Webpage.

Sign up for the Maine App Challenge!

There’s an App for that!

To help support the development of the skills needed to be successful, The Maine App Challenge is offering free innovation workshops through the University of Maine’s Foster Center for Innovation.

The Maine App Challenge is accepting submissions now through May 15, 2022.

Download the Infographic here.

Click here for more information and details about the Maine App Challenge.