Get to know the DOE Team: Meet David Emberley

Maine DOE team member David Emberley is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about David in the brief question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I am currently the Due Process Consultant for the Special Services team in the Effective Dispute Resolution office. I provide technical assistance to parents, advocates, district personnel and lawyers in understanding Maine Unified Special Education Regulation – Chapter 101, procedural safeguards and the mediation, complaint investigation and hearing processes available to the field. I also monitor corrective action plans as indicated in complaint investigation reports and due process hearing decisions. I previously worked with the general supervision and special purpose private school teams monitoring special education programs.

What do you like best about your job?

The variety in job tasks and interactions with people in the special education field are what I like best about my job. I also appreciate the support and interactions I have with others on the special services team.

How or why did you decide on this career?

I have been working in the field of special education for 30+ years. In the beginning I was seeking the long holiday and summer breaks.

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

I spend time with family, exploring everything that Maine has to offer in outdoor recreation: walking, hiking, fishing, swimming, camping, kayaking, snowshoeing, etc. I have lived in Maine for three years and I still feel like I am on a long summer/winter vacation.

2019 Agriculture in the Classroom Grants Available – 12/6 Deadline

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) has $60K earmarked for grants in 5 categories for agriculture education in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Due to the availability of additional funding, an additional round of applications will be accepted with the deadline of Friday, December 6th by 4:00 pm.

Visit the MAITC Website to view/download the 2019 Requests for Applications. https://www.agclassroom.org/me/programs/grants.htm

This support is a direct result of the Maine Agricultural Specialty License Plate. For additional questions please contact Maine Agriculture in the Classroom: https://www.agclassroom.org/me/about/contact.htm

Trauma Informed Readiness and Response Planning Workshop

As the most requested support topic from the field, we at the Department of Education hear of the extensive impact that trauma, mental health and the opioid crisis are having on our schools. We are taking action to support educators in addressing the increased needs of our students through the use of trauma informed practices. To begin this partnership and support, we will be hosting an interactive conference on Trauma Informed Readiness and Response Planning.

When: Friday, January 24th, 2020

Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Lunch is provided)

Location: University of Maine, Wells Conference Center, Orono.

This is a grant funded opportunity for schools to receive guided support in the development of their individualized emergency plans for a trauma free and trauma responsive environment. Funding for this opportunity is available for up to 65 teams, and can include covering the costs of travel and substitutes for the day. An application and commitment to attend are required; these will be accepted until December 20th, 2019.

Application for Individual School Participation

A preview of questions in the application is below:
Name of School:
School District:
Primary Contact (person with whom all communication and arrangements go through):
Contact Phone/Email/Address:
3 Team Members and their roles at the school (3 people are required for the activities planned):
Describe the top three areas of need for your school around this topic, and why work on a responsive plan will help you overcome these.

A final agenda and confirmation for teams will be forthcoming after the closing of the application window. For questions, contact Jessica Nixon at Jessica.Nixon@maine.gov.

Professional Learning Opportunity: Early Mathematics Diagnostic Interview (EMDI), A Diagnostic Interview Tool

Registration: 8:00 am, Session 8:30 am – 3:15 pm

Who is invited?

This professional learning opportunity is specifically designed for Pre-K-5 mathematics educators, including classroom teachers, special education teachers, Title 1 teachers, math or instructional coaches, and math support staff.

Why participate?

Learn about and practice using a diagnostic interview tool for mathematics and how to plan for instruction based on results
Recognize the developmental progression of and misconceptions in mathematics learning
Strengthen your own pedagogical and content knowledge in mathematics
Compare assessment practices and ways to use assessment to improve student learning
Take away the EMDI tool, ideas, resources, and materials to use in your school and classrooms

What are our key goals?

The key goals are to provide you with experiences, information, and resources to guide you in the areas of diagnostic assessment, identifying students’ mathematical needs, and developing knowledge of instructional strategies that have an impact on students’ mathematical learning.

What is our approach to professional development?

Do the math: Using video and hands-on explorations, delve into key elementary mathematics concepts using multiple approaches, including identifying types of questions and responses and varying types of mathematical
Connect to research: Discuss readings that connect each topic to research and take away powerful research-based approaches, tools, and resources to use in your school and
Collaborate: Work together and share ideas with other Pre-K-5
Leading change: Set goals and generate a plan for ongoing mathematics improvement for your school and

Cost: $90.00 per person for the 3-day series (includes continental breakfast, lunch, and materials)

Contact hours: 24 hours

When?

Locations:	Dates (Must attend all dates):	Registration Links:
Big Cat’s Events Center, Ellsworth	2/4/20; 2/5/20; 4/9/20 Storm Date: 2/25/20	Register for Ellsworth Event
Northeastland Hotel, Presque Isle	2/6/20; 2/7/20; 4/10/20 Storm Date: 2/11/20	Register for Presque Isle Event
The Green Ladle, Lewiston	3/10/20; 3/11/20; 4/29/20 Storm Date: 3/19/20	Register for Lewiston Event
Hampton Inn, Saco	3/12/20; 3/13/20; 4/30/20 Storm Date: 3/25/20	Register for Saco Event

Space is Limited! Register by January 10, 2020

Questions? Please contact: Jen Robitaille, Elementary Mathematics Specialist: 624-6673, jennifer.r.robitaille@maine.gov

Mid-winter Boost: 2020 Maine School Winter Wellness Summit, Life is Good, Wellness Makes It Better!

Taking care of the health and well-being of staff and students has become more and more critical given the many stresses of the world in which we all live. Register today for the Maine School Winter Wellness Summit, Life is Good, Wellness Makes It Better! being held January 30 & 31, 2020 at The Samoset Resort, Rockport, to bolster your school wellness program. Attendees will learn strategies and be exposed to tools and resources available from state and national sources that address the six dimensions of wellness: mental, emotional, physical, social, spiritual and occupational health. However, this year there will be a special emphasis on Mental Wellness for all! The Summit will include inspiring, interactive keynote presentations each day, engaging workshops on personal wellness practices, creating positive school environments, healthy school culture and climate for staff and students, leadership skills, emerging health issues and action planning for wellness!

January 30^th OPENING KEYNOTE:

grey haired man, laughing Murray Banks is a motivational speaker and world champion athlete with roots in teaching school. He lives life with a passion for health and well-being every day. This year he will focus his message on the importance of positivity on one’s overall health using hilarious images, imaginative videos, and poignant classroom and personal stories that will inspire all of us.

Salt and pepper haired man with moustache and glasses, smiling January 31^st OPENING KEYNOTE: George Manning returns to the Wellness Summit with more tools, resources and insights focused on life, work and the pursuit of balance. He will engage the audience with his enchanting personality and stories that come from more than 40 years of experience teaching psychology at the collegiate level and traveling the country helping organizations and businesses develop healthy and productive work environments.

The goal of the Summit is to prepare and empower participants to create healthy, positive and safe schools for all school personnel and students by promoting policies and environmental practices that support healthier schools, improve personal health and well-being, and enhance academic achievement. Click here for up-to-date details, draft agenda and session information on the 2020 Maine School Winter Wellness Summit and follow The Samoset Resort link to reserve rooms at the special group rate.

Individuals and teams interested in Schoolsite Health Promotion and wellness are encourage to attend. One low cost for two-days, meals included. Early registration is open through December 27 for $125/person and regular registration after December 28 is $145/person.

Join us for the first fully engaging and educational Winter Wellness Summit, a component of the Maine Department of Education’s Schoolsite Health Promotion Program.

Maine DOE Update – November 21, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

PRIORITY NOTICE: Proposed Reinstatement of Rule Chapter 115 (The Credentialing of Education Personnel Rules) Part II Requirements for Specific Certificates and Endorsements

Maine students from rural communities came to the Maine State Capitol last week as part of a unique learning opportunity offered by The Maine Forest Collaborative. The collaborative, created and administered by the Rural Aspirations Project, | More

Priority Notice: Proposed Revisions to Ch. 125, School Approval Standards

The State Board and the Department of Education are proposing the repeal and replacement of Chapter 125: Basic School Approval Standards: Public Schools and School Administrative Units. | More

Green Ribbon Schools

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce that Maine is joining the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools initiative to inspire and promote effective school sustainability and collaboration. The award highlights sustainability practices undertaken at the school, district, or post-secondary institution level that are cost-saving and health promoting. | More

Maine Educators Celebrated at Annual Teacher of the Year Gala

The Teacher of the Year Program hosted its annual Gala this past weekend on Saturday, November 16th at Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks. The event honors Maine educators that have been named County Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year with a banquet, reception, and awards ceremony. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Educator Forum: Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools

Explore the impact of trauma on the social, emotional, and academic growth of students in this interactive workshop. Topics to be covered include Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma-sensitive schools, restorative practices, and the importance of establishing a culture of self-care. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine Educators Celebrated at Annual Teacher of the Year Gala

The event featured remarks from 2019 Teacher of the Year Joseph Hennessey, an English Teacher at Piscataquis Community High School who is finishing his year-long designation as the 2019 Teacher of the Year. Commissioner Makin received a standing ovation as she urged all present to elevate the status of educators in Maine, as their work is the single most important assurance of a thriving democracy. Incoming 2020 Teacher of the Year Heather Whitaker also addressed the audience, reminding the audience that the foundation of learning is built on relationships of trust and compassion. Ms. Whitaker was presented with a custom Maine licence plate from Maine’s Secretary of State, Mathew Dunlap, a tradition each year.

During the Awards ceremony, County Teachers of the Year were each provided with a crystal apple award, a County Teacher of the Year banner, totes filled with Maine products donated by Maine businesses (sponsored by Live and Work in Maine), in addition to free registration to the annual ACTEM Conference (provided by ACTEM).

In addition to the above awards, Semi Finalists, State Finalists, and the Teacher of the Year each received a hand thrown pottery bowl with their names on it (sponsored by Maine TOY Association and Maine State Board of Education). The Teacher of the Year was also given an IPad (provided by ACTEM).

2019 County Teachers of the Year: Androscoggin County, Shawn Rice; Aroostook County, Kim Barnes; Cumberland County, Heather Whitaker; Franklin County, Robert Taylor; Hancock County, Nell Herrmann; Kennebec County: Emily Bowen; Knox County, Thomas Gray; Oxford County, Linda Andrews; Penobscot County, Tracy Deschaine; Piscataquis County, Bobbi Tardif; Sagadahoc County, Charles Bingham; Somerset County, Katherine Bertini; Waldo County, Ashley Reynolds; Washington County, Jeanna Carver; York County, Ethel Atkinson.

Semi Finalists: Jeanna Carver, Tracy Deschaine, Thomas Gray, Ashley Reynolds, Shawn Rice, Bobbi Tardif, Robert Taylor, Heather Whitaker

State finalists: Thomas Gray, Robert Taylor, Heather Whitaker

2020 Teacher of the Year: Heather Whitaker

The event also includes keynote remarks and honors for many of the program’s partners and sponsors including Educate Maine, who administers the program, the Maine Department of Education, and the Maine State Board of Education. Funding for the program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River, Geiger, Hannaford, Maine Lottery, and Pratt and Whitney.

The Teacher of the Year Program is a year-long process that, each year, through a rigorous selection process, names an educator from each county as County Teacher of the Year, and names one educator as Maine Teacher of the Year. Any educator can be nominated by a member of their community for the Teacher of the Year Program. The nomination process begins in January each year.

Locally Grown STEAM Showcase Begins Maine Tour at Brewer Community School

Maine Educators and brothers Keith and Kern Kelley from RSU 19 are heading up a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) Showcase this school year, that aims to fill the workforce gap in Maine by bringing more STEAM opportunities to Maine students and teachers.

This past summer, 14 educators from across Maine participated in a 3 credit I ntroduction to Experiential Teaching through Technology offered by EMMC and UTC, and taught by the Kelley brothers. The idea of the training is to bring the experiential teaching philosophy to Maine classrooms, offering more than traditional makerspaces and shop classes. In a train the trainer method, the course came with a STEAMroller cart full of equipment and tools that educators can take back to the school to share with colleagues, and also comes with the opportunity for a visit from the STEAM Showcase.

STEAM Showcase Bus (Photo credit: Riley Bridges, media studies student at RSU 19)

The Showcase, which has officially begun its tour in Brewer, is a refurbished bus full of equipment and tools that goes on the road, literally, to bring STEAM breakout sessions to Maine students and teachers. The sessions feature coding with drones, virtual reality programming, 3D design and printing, and an escape room challenge that takes place inside the bus.

At the Brewer Community School Showcase this week, four classes of 7th graders and their teachers participated in a day full of breakout sessions hosted by high school students known as Tech Sherpas. The Tech Sherpas are a group of students from RSU 19 who are interested in technology and integrating it into education. They are students of Kern Kelley, and are known to accompany him to speaking engagements on the topic of STEAM and technology integration, in addition to presenting themselves both nationally and internationally.

Brewer Community School 7th grade teacher Rob Dominic took the EMMC course this past summer and has been using the STEAMroller cart so far this year. He said he was originally interested in the course because he wanted to help “start and build a culture” within his 7th grade team and at his school that integrates STEAM into their lessons to provide students with experiential learning opportunities that engage them in new ways. He said that already that day, his colleagues were having conversations about how they could use the day’s experience to improve future learning opportunities. For example, one teacher came up with the idea of using virtual reality to do character analysis in English Language Arts lessons. Dominic says the STEAMroller cart and the experiential learning opportunities were a welcome addition to his team and that his colleagues were eager to learn more and start using the tools.

From here the STEAM Showcase will go on to visit the schools of other educators that took the course, in hopes of engaging yet more teachers and students in this train the trainer method of bringing experiential and STEAM learning opportunities to Maine classrooms.

This article was written by Maine DOE Staff Rachel Paling in collaboration with Brewer Community School, RSU 19, and UTC. Many of the photos used for this article were taken by Riley Bridges, media studies student at RSU 19. The article is part of the Maine DOE’s Maine Schools Sharing Success campaign. If you have an idea or submission for the campaign, email Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Priority Notice: Proposed Revisions to Ch. 125, School Approval Standards

The State Board and the Department of Education are proposing the repeal and replacement of Chapter 125: Basic School Approval Standards: Public Schools and School Administrative Units.

The last repeal and replace of State Board of Education/Maine Department of Education Rule Chapter 125 was in 2002. The resulting language was highly duplicative of statute. The proposed replacement eliminates redundancy when possible, and minimizes to include only what is required in law.

To this end, the proposed Rule is written to address school approval standards and requirements in a linear fashion, reflecting requirements in the order they appear in statute when possible, and providing detail where necessary. For clarity, a chart referenced in Section 4 of the proposed Rule resides on the Department web page and contains a comprehensive list of requirements and citations.

Specific revisions to the Rule are as follows:

Based on a cross-walk conducted by the Department, language which is duplicative of statute or is outdated has been updated or eliminated;
The definition of school has been revised;
Unnecessary definitions have been eliminated;
Certain requirement exceptions for SAUs that tuition all or whole populations of students out of the resident unit have been added;
Certain requirement exceptions for Career and Technical Regions have been added;
The Comprehensive Education Plan format determination remains with the SAU, but must equally include and reflect all schools within the unit;
The minimum requirements as required by M.R.S. 20-A Section 4502(5) are listed in Section 5:
- 5.01 – Grade K now has a minimum instructional day of 3 hours;
- 5.03 – added “Areas used for the provision of student services and health services shall be adequate to provide for the privacy and confidentiality of such services;”
- 5.08 – revised language regarding school counseling program;
- 5.12 – revised language regarding time out areas to reference Restraint and Seclusion;
- 5.15 – added family outreach requirement, per statute;
- 5.16 – added language around Promotion, Retention, Acceleration and Graduation of Students;
- 5.18 – added requirement for Multi-tiered System of Support, per LD 651; and
Section 7.01 outlining the initial approval process for SAUs was revised to reflect current practice.

Public Hearing Information for Rule Chapter 125:

December 16, 2019 from 1:00-3:00 PM
Room 500 in the Cross State Office Building, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta, Maine
All are welcome to attend, and no RSVP is required. Anyone unable to attend the public hearing may send written comments via email to jaci.holmes@maine.gov or by mailing comments to:

Maine Department of Education
attention: Jaci Holmes
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Comment Period Deadline: December 27, 2019

The Windham Eagle Lifestyles: Manchester school students celebrate National Farm to School Movement

This article was written by Maine student Joe McNerney.

Hands were washed and chef hats were on as fourth and fifth grade students entered the cafeteria. In the middle of many tables, freshly grown carrots were set and ready to be used. This is what the scene looked like on Monday, November 4 at Manchester School. In a recent press release, it was announced that the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and the Maine Department of Education teamed up with the Manchester School to promote the growing farm-to-school movement in Maine.

“The students participated in a day of activities to celebrate growing, harvesting and eating local food. The event was designed to raise awareness about the importance of local food, school gardens and the relationship schools are developing with local farms to provide fresh, quality fruits, vegetables and produce to Maine schools,” stated the press release.

Stacey Sanborn, fourth grade teacher, explained how the food is grown by the students. “We tend to the hoop house all school year,” she said. “Students help maintain and pick vegetables and sometimes we are able to send the food home that has been produced by the student for students in need.”

Briefly, a hoop house is a form of greenhouse that consist of a series of large hoops or bows—made of metal, plastic pipe or wood covered by heavy plastic. It is heated by the sun and cooled by the wind. Although winter is coming, and some students may be less than thrilled to trudge through snow, they will none the less keep up on the hoop house.

Ryan Roderick, head chef and nutrition coordinator for and Jeanne Reilly, director of school nutrition,
led the educational sessions with the students. During the class, students from fourth and fifth grades made fresh curried carrot soup and carrot muffins.

Students had the opportunity to wash, peel, chop carrots and onions as well as sauté the vegetables. For the muffins, students grated carrots, measured and mixed the ingredients and portioned them into muffin cups. At the end of the class, students and teachers all were able to try the soup and muffins made with carrots from their school garden and fully experience what the farm-to-school experience is all about.

“It was refreshing to see young faces so excited about cooking,” stated Pam Lanz who had worked with the school for 21 years as a guidance counselor prior to taking up her post as garden leader. “Many of the students are hesitant to try most of the vegetables. However, when peers try, they are more likely to give it a chance.”

Once the ingredients were ready, some students prepared muffins while the others prepared the carrot curry soup. Which was garnished with Greek yogurt and chives.

Students all agreed and said with pride after eating the food they had prepared, “The food tasted better because we cooked it.”
Teaching kids at a young age that there is value to growing and making your own food is outstanding. It teaches the art of horticulture and self-sustainability. “Many of our students tale home what they learn,” Sanborn said. “They share it with parents and hopefully they in turn will start gardening more.”

Lanz quickly agreed, “We want to make backyard farmers out of them all.”
The Manchester School is one of the more than 400 Maine schools that participate in a farm-to-school program. The event was designed to raise awareness about the importance of local food, school gardens and the relationship schools are developing with local farms to provide fresh, quality fruits, vegetables and produce to Maine schools.