ACTEM Honors Amanda Nguyen with ACHIEVE Award

Amanda Nguyen, the Program Director for the Centers of Innovation at Thomas College has been recognized by the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM) with their ACHIEVE award.

ACTEM’s ACHIEVE Award recognizes professionals who effectively apply available technology now. They move forward utilizing current best practices and cutting edge approaches. They see students as real people by activating student voice and choice in education. They teach through relationships- inspiring, encouraging, and nurturing. These professionals also recognize that further change is necessary, but understand that it is a process for all stakeholders. They realize that teacher and student empowerment is the key element to technology integration. ACHIEVE Educators expect success and motivate through awareness and access to information.

At Thomas College, Amanda has the opportunity to connect with students and educators across the state through various programs (such as the college’s virtual Thomas Cup) — but has also embraced a new opportunity to lead innovative projects designed to increase the employability of Thomas students, as well as the career aspirations of future students. One colleague said, “Amanda has reimagined our whole professional and career development experience. Students have opportunities to tackle real world problems, work with employers, and build strong resumes for the future. She is doing this by working with colleagues across departments and with employer partners across the State. Her work really exemplifies what is possible at Thomas College.”

Additionally, Amanda has served on the ACTEM Conference Committee and is excited to co-chair the committee in the coming year. She also serves as an ISTE Community Leader, and enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with educators across Maine (and the globe) to support learning and teaching with technology.

At a small gathering at Thomas College in early November, the ACHIEVE Award Committee Co-chairs, Jamie Ela and Deb White, along with Executive Director Gary Lanoie and ACTEM President Will Backman, presented Amanda with the award. Bette Manchester and Jim Moulton, along with several of Amanda’s colleagues from Thomas, were able to join the celebration as well.

At the event, Thomas College President Laurie Lachance, said: “We’re so proud of the work that you do. You’ve worked with everyone in this room, and you’ve set a new standard for us, and are taking us to a level that we’ve only dreamed of. Thank you for your work – very well deserved.”

ACTEM’s ACHIEVE winners receive a personal cash award of $2,000 along with a $1,000 gift certificate to be used by their school for technology related purchases. They are also awarded the Making IT Happen award from ISTE. The Making IT Happen award honors outstanding educators and leaders who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students.

Lewiston Culinary Class Set to Sharpen Workforce Skills

Photo caption: Pastry Instructor Rebecca Levesque shows off dinner rolls before getting them ready for a meal at Lewiston Regional Technical Center’s Restaurant, The Green Ladle.

A hands-on culinary training program can provide the recipe for adults looking for a successful transition to restaurant careers.

The Culinary Training with Kitchen Manager ServSafe Training is scheduled to begin on Jan. 17 at the Green Ladle in Lewiston. Chef Dan Caron of the Green Ladle said it is the second one offered to help restaurants and food service establishments in need of skilled workers. It will be free for eligible participants.

The program is being funded through federal job training funds as well as the Green Ladle’s “Community Serving Community” food truck. The Green Ladle is the culinary arts program for Lewiston Regional Technical Center.

During the previous training that ended on Nov. 17, representatives of seven local restaurants met with students to recruit them.

“It was really quite amazing,” Caron said.

He said of the 11 students in that session, seven had already been hired for jobs before the end of the training.

Students in the new session will learn about basic kitchen safety, knife skills and baking in the five-week class. The class will run Monday and Wednesday afternoons.

“It’s a win-win situation for the student,” Caron said. “This is a good way to get into the culinary field and to support our local restaurants and other food service establishments.”

In order to enroll, interested students must sign up to attend an informational session that is scheduled for December 16th. CASAS testing is also required. At the end of the training, students will receive a certificate of completion, will take the ServSafe manager exam, and will have the opportunity to meet with local employers.

The class is a partnership between the Green Ladle, Lewiston Adult Education, Eastern Maine Development Corporation/Community Concepts, Inc. with the support of the Lewiston-Auburn culinary community, including Bates College, DaVinci’s Italian Eatery, Fish Bones Grill, Gippers Sports Grill, and Campus Cuisine. Additional partners may join the program before the January start, Caron said.

To register for the informational session and to schedule testing, contact Lewiston Adult Education at 207-795-4141.

Celebrating the Voices of Computer Science Education in Maine

In celebration of CSEd week and another successful year championing computer science education in Maine, we asked teachers and students to share their experiences with us. Click on the video to hear what they had to say! #MaineTeachesCS

Interested in learning more about computer science education in Maine? Want to get involved? Check out our website to explore ways that Maine is expanding access to and participation in computer science education. For more information, contact Emma-Marie Banks, Computer Science Specialist at emma-marie.banks@maine.gov.

Get to Know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Stephanie Fyfe

Manie DOE Team member Stephanie Fyfe is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Stephanie in the question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I serve as the Team Coordinator for certification. In this role, the team issues credentials and assists applicants through the requirements in order to join the educator workforce.

What do you like best about your job?

I thoroughly enjoy working with our small, but mighty, team. Just knowing that we have received more than 31,000 applications so far in 2021, and we have assisted more than double that many people makes me incredibly proud of the work of the team and proud that there are so many people looking to work for and support our Maine students.

How or why did you decide on this career?

After having worked as an administrator in a national public system of schools and in international private education, I realized that I wanted to come back home and work in education that impacted Maine students.

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my husband and two teenage daughters. I also serve as a volunteer coach, care for a menagerie of pets including a bearded dragon, and reading whenever there is a spare moment.

Maine DOE Update – December 10, 2021

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE Team Member Makes U.S. History as First Somali American Elected as Mayor

We are proud to share that Maine Department of Education team member Deqa Dhalac has made national history. The Family Engagement and Cultural Responsiveness Specialist was sworn in as South Portland’s new mayor, the first Somali American to ever hold the position of mayor. | More

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

On Wednesday, December 15, 2021 from 8:00-10:00 am, the Work Force Group for LD 313 will hold its third meeting, hosted virtually by the Maine Department of Education. LD 313 was passed in the 130th legislature and is focused on several topics regarding Career and Technical Education. | More

Resources to Help Maine Families Find Affordable Health Coverage

The State of Maine is running its own State-based insurance marketplace called CoverME.gov, where uninsured people or those who buy insurance on their own can get health insurance, usually with financial assistance. It is currently an open enrollment period, with next Wednesday, December 15 being the deadline to sign up for January 1 coverage. Open enrollment ends on January 15, 2022. | More

Resources to Assist Maine Schools with Record Retention Decisions

The Maine State Archives, in conjunction with the State of Maine Archives Advisory Board, establishes local government record retention schedules. These schedules include schedules for Maine schools. All local government record retention schedules can be found on the State of Maine Archives website, but record retention schedules specific to schools can found in Schedule 18. | More

ME, VT, and NH Consortia Saves Maine Schools over $73,000 on Seesaw Licensing

The Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM) joined a 3-state-consortia this spring to offer lower pricing on Seesaw for Schools licensing for Maine districts, which has saved over $73,000 in Seesaw licensing costs for participating Maine schools. | More

Get to Know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Kelli Deveaux

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

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Maine School Safety Center to Offer Office Hours for School Staff

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center (MCCS) is happy to announce that they are offering virtual Office Hours to connect with Maine school personnel who oversee school safety planning. An open forum to bring questions, ideas or concerns, the team will be available to provide support and technical assistance every Tuesday and Thursday from 10am-11am thru February 17. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

From Merrymeeting Adult Education to Yale University – How One Maine Student Found Her Own Path

“In middle and high school, I bounced around school-to-school missing many classes from being sick,” said Alyssa Diver, a former student of Merrymeeting Adult Education Program. When Alyssa’s senior year arrived, she realized that she would not be able to graduate with the credits she had accrued in high school. Eventually she went to Merrymeeting Adult Education Program in Topsham to try and find an alternative path.

After talking with Merrymeeting staff member Paul Elisha and doing some testing, Alyssa decided her best course was to get a GED (General Educational Development). After achieving her goal, Alyssa applied to the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) for a degree in Biology.

“I wanted to go into the medical field but was unsure of exactly what profession,” said Alyssa. During the end of her freshman year at UMA, Alyssa decided to become a Physician’s Assistant (PA). She got thoroughly involved in UMA’s biology club, and aging forward initiative, and diligently worked toward a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, which she achieved in 2018.

“During the spring of 2018 I learned of a new Physician Assistant(PA) program, Yale Online PA Program and applied,” said Alyssa. “I thought applying, and interviewing there would be great practice for my future PA school interviews.” As Alyssa began applying to other PA programs, not thinking she would have a chance at getting into such a prestigious school, she got a phone a call that brought it all to a halt. She was accepted to the Yale Program.

“In January 2019, I began the most rigorous and intense two and a half years I had ever experienced,” said Alyssa. She has since graduated and taken her exam to officially become a PA. This summer Alyssa’s dream of becoming a PA became a reality when she started working in urgent care right here in Maine.

“Fall of 2013, I was an anxious young girl who did not think I would even be able to get a GED,” recalls Alyssa. “Fast forward 8 years. Through help, determination, and never giving up, I am now a Physician Assistant who loves to help my patients and make an impact in my community.”

ME, VT, and NH Consortia Saves Maine Schools over $73,000 on Seesaw Licensing

A popular software system used by many districts throughout Maine, Seesaw offers a simple way for teachers and students to record and share what’s happening in the classroom and gives students a place to document their learning, be creative, and learn how to use technology.

The Seesaw consortia started with former Maine Department of Education staff member Jeff Mao, who is now the Executive Director of Vita-Learn, a Vermont based organization similar to ACTEM. Mao approached both ACTEM and representatives from New Hampshire with the idea of offering combined licensing in all three states. The consortia’s shared goal is to obtaining greater numbers of licenses by combining orders, which offers better pricing on Seesaw licensing for all.

For further questions about the 3-state consortia, contact ACTEM.

Greenbush Students Enjoy ‘Outdoor Adventure Classroom’

While COVID-19 has brought great disruption to schools, there also have been many opportunities and innovations, allowing schools to do something different. The surge of outdoor education programming across Maine is an exciting example.

At Greenbush Public Schools this year, PreK through second grade students are able to get outside in outdoor classrooms on campus and spend far more time breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the sunshine. Meanwhile, students in third through fifth grade have spent time in their camp chairs and at Acadia National Park, where they have been learning math, science and literacy concepts, and students in the middle school are participating in a year-round Outdoor Adventure Classroom on Caribou Pond.

“In addition to all the academics we normally do, our students are also learning about forestry, Maine waters, the woods, snow-shoeing, creating a walking trail, and basic survival skills,” said Greenbush Public Schools Superintendent & Building Administrator Gwen Smith. “This year, we expanded our Outdoor Adventure Classroom to include a paddling program for students in Grades 5-8.”

In Greenbush, along with all the important subjects of learning, they are also teaching students to love and appreciate the environment where they live and to cherish the friendships they forge when they fish, swim, gather wood for a fire, cut brush on a trail, and cook their own meals.

This story is part of the Maine Department of Education’s Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To learn more or submit a story or idea, email Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

SoPo Drug Free Communities Coalition Partners with Local Schools, Community Organizations to Host ‘Parent Connector’ Events

The South Portland (SoPo) Drug Free Communities Coalition (DFC): SoPo Unite-All Ages All In hosted a session for parents recently at the South Portland Community Center. The event featured a panel of high school seniors and a panel of community leaders, including Kevin Stilphen, the Director of PATHS (Portland Arts and Technology High School); Michele LaForge, Principal at South Portland High School; Lieutenant Todd Bernard of the South Portland Police Department; and Officer Caleb Gray, South Portland High School’s School Resource Officer. During the event, the students shared their hopes for the future, what is helpful and supportive in finding their path, and what can get in the way.

SoPo Unite hosts four “Parent Connector” events a year in a variety of neighborhoods throughout South Portland. The events include a range of topics connected to substance use prevention for youth. The most recent forum engaged parents in a discussion about the importance of students being future focused by exploring different paths toward achieving personal and professional goals.

“The goal is to educate parents on the importance for youth to have future aspirations, which is a ‘protective factor’ against substance use,” said Lee Anne Dodge, Program Director of SoPo Unite. She also noted that another important piece they share with parents during the Connector events is the impact of substance use on brain development and student potential.

The event was another success for SoPo Unite, sparking great discussion and questions among panelists and attendees. In the future they plan to have seniors speak to the junior class to share their advice on planning for after high school, and to have South Portland High School alum return to talk with current students about their experiences after high school.

The DFC Coalition: SoPo Unite-All Ages All In is one of eighteen DFC programs in Maine, and over 700 in the country. They work with twelve community sectors: youth, parents, schools, law enforcement, media, local officials, civic agencies, health care, youth, faith-based groups, other substance use prevention agencies, and businesses to bring awareness and education around substance use prevention for youth.

Lee Anne shared that research has shown that in communities where there is a DFC program, there are lower rates of substance use. “We just finished our first five years and were awarded another five years!”

For more information about DFC programs visit: Drug-Free Communities Support Program On the U.S. CDC Website or the national Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program website.

Resources to Assist Maine Schools with Record Retention Decisions

The Maine State Archives, in conjunction with the State of Maine Archives Advisory Board, establishes local government record retention schedules. These schedules include schedules for Maine schools.

All local government record retention schedules can be found on the State of Maine Archives website, but record retention schedules specific to schools can found in Schedule 18.

Training resources on how to manage records are available on the Maine Archives website, here.

If Maine schools or administrative unites need additional assistance with Maine’s record retention schedules, the State of Maine Archives is the best resource, and can be reached by emailing: recordsmanagement.archives@maine.gov