Augusta and Caribou Principals Recognized with Top Maine Principals’ Association Awards in 2025

The Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) has named Sylvio J. Gilbert Elementary School Principal Christina Boursaw as Maine’s 2025 NAESP National Distinguished Principal and Caribou High School Principal Jamie Selfridge as Maine’s 2025 NASSP Principal of the Year.

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal® (NDP) program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level principals. The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle-level and high school principals who have successfully provided high-quality learning opportunities for students.

Boursaw and Selfridge were each announced recently during all-school assemblies at their respective schools. The MPA will also honor both awardees at its annual Night of Excellence on May 22, 2025, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

The recognition of Ms. Boursaw as the 2025 Maine NAESP National Distinguished Principal is a testament to her dedication and leadership in fostering a thriving school community. As the heart of Sylvio J. Gilbert Elementary School, she is deeply invested in shaping a dynamic school-wide culture and championing strong academic practices. Under her leadership, student achievement has seen remarkable growth, and a profound sense of community has flourished.

“Christina Boursaw fosters a positive and inspiring school climate through innovative and meaningful initiatives,” Executive Director of the MPA Professional Division Holly Blair said. “Whether it’s creating uplifting visual displays that celebrate her staff, conducting instructional rounds to highlight best practices, or personally visiting every sixth grader’s home on a bus alongside staff to welcome them back as leaders of the school—her commitment to students and staff is unmatched.”

Boursaw earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from California Baptist University in 2005, followed by a master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Education from National University in San Diego. She later attained a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Redlands.

Her administrative career began in 2014 as principal of Brookside Elementary School in Beaumont, California. She then served as Director of Human Resources for the Beaumont Unified School District before returning to school leadership as principal of Arroyo Verde Elementary School in Highland, California in 2018. In 2021, she transitioned to Maine, leading Edgecomb Eddy School before assuming her current role as principal of Sylvio J. Gilbert Elementary School in Augusta in 2022.

Mrs. Selfridge has earned the title of 2025 Maine NASSP Principal of the Year in recognition of her unwavering dedication to Caribou High School and its students. Committed to fostering meaningful educational opportunities, she collaborates with both the school and the broader community to ensure student success. Her approach acknowledges the unique needs of each student, striving to make learning both relevant and engaging. A strong advocate for shared leadership, Selfridge’s impact extends across the entire school. Caribou High School and the greater Caribou community are fortunate to have such a devoted and visionary leader.

“Jamie Selfridge embodies the essence of an exceptional principal,” Blair said. “She consistently goes above and beyond to advance learning—not just within her school, but also at the state and national levels. She is a tireless advocate for principalship and education, and above all, she is a champion for every student.”

Mrs. Selfridge holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. She later earned her Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Educational Administration from St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine in 2013.

Her career in education began in 2007 as a teacher at Fort Fairfield Middle High School, where she later became principal in 2017. Since 2022, she has served as principal of Caribou High School. Beyond her role as an administrator, Mrs. Selfridge has contributed to the Maine Math Collaborative and has served as a facilitator for the NASSP Rural School Leadership Network.

To learn more about the Maine Principals’ Association, click here or reach out to mpa@mpa.cc.

Free Emergent Literacy Facilitator Training for Early Childhood Educators – Application Deadline Extended

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is offering a free professional learning opportunity for educators interested in becoming trained facilitators of professional learning communities (PLC), focused on emergent literacy for children ages 3-6.

The Professional Learning Community (PLC): Emergent Literacy modules support preschool and kindergarten teachers in implementing evidence-based language and literacy strategies. Designed to foster collaboration, these modules guide early childhood educators through discussion, hands-on activities, and reflective practice with peer and facilitator support.

The PLC includes four modules: Print Knowledge, Phonological Awareness, Vocabulary, and Oral Language. Each module consists of three sessions (12 total sessions), with flexible scheduling options. Facilitators will receive comprehensive materials, including a participant guide, a facilitator guide, a PowerPoint presentation, and videos. While groups of six to 12 teachers are recommended, larger groups may be accommodated, if engagement is maintained.

The ideal facilitator will be an educator with a strong understanding of emergent literacy, effective communication skills, and the ability to relate well to adult learners. Experience with group facilitation will be useful for the success of the facilitator.

Facilitators will participate in a day-long training session on May 14 in Augusta (travel costs covered) and a virtual training in early June. Between May and November of 2025, they will be expected to facilitate at least two PLC modules with at least six Maine educators in their regional area. They will be compensated $500 for each module that they facilitate between May and November of 2025. If facilitators want to seek compensation for facilitating more than two modules, they will need to seek prior approval.

This professional learning opportunity is sponsored by Maine’s Preschool Development Grant (PDG), B-5, a collaboration between the Maine Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.

To apply, please complete this application. The deadline to apply has been extended to April 7, 2025.

For additional information, please contact Renee Reilly, Maine DOE PDG Manager, at Renee.A.Reilly@maine.gov.

The Success of Together for ME at the Brunswick School Department

In the fall of 2019, the Brunswick School Department enthusiastically launched its initial public pre-K classroom. The first matter of business after hiring an amazing early intervention teacher was the decision about curriculum. Founding pre-K teacher Brigitta Valente recalled, “We feel strongly about how play offers authentic opportunities for learning for all children but especially young children. There are so many layers to the skills that are developed in play. From curiosity to social and emotional development, problem-solving to critical thinking, play builds and extends countless foundational aspects of learning. This is why pre-K for ME appealed to us so much. Play is central and prioritized.”

That first year of pre-K for ME set the stage in Brunswick for years to come. As the pre-K program expanded from that one classroom, tucked into a cute mobile unit in the school’s front yard, to four pre-K classrooms and then two more community partner classrooms, the school department continued to use the pre-K for ME program. Community partners Family Focus and Midcoast Maine Community Action Head Start were already using pre-K for ME at their agencies, so it was a smooth transition for Brunswick to do so. Soon, the success of Brunswick’s pre-K program started getting the attention of other staff in the school.

Kindergarten teacher Erin Lemont shared, “We quickly learned that K for ME is designed to offer young learners a flexible, interactive, and engaging way to explore foundational concepts. K for ME allows children to experience learning through exploration, hands-on activities, and social interaction, which helps them make deeper connections to what they’re discovering.”

Another Kindergarten teacher Charity Kaiser explained, “When I heard about K for ME, it was the first program I had encountered that truly embraced the importance of play, student choice, and the development of interpersonal skills. Having a comprehensive academic curriculum built around these foundational elements aligned perfectly with what I had come to value as essential for meaningful learning.”

So began the growth of K for ME in at the Brunswick School Department.

The first year of the pandemic was especially strange for Brunswick. Amidst social distancing and contact tracing, staff and students moved into the brand-new Kate Furbish Elementary School building, absorbed an additional grade level, and grew student population by more than 200. Principal Annie Young said she and her staff quickly realized that they needed a new approach with a school of more than 600 four- to eight-year-olds – especially after so many disruptions to students’ early years because of Covid-19.

“We noticed so many changes in our students as they came to our school – their deficits in social, emotional, communication, fine, and gross motor skills were drastic,” Young explained.

Fortunately, there were a number of highly-qualified early childhood educators working at the large pre-K through grade 2 school.

“Our staff is well-experienced in the pedagogy of working with young students. Not only are they highly-skilled; they are also passionate about the diverse needs of this age group,” Young shared.

Together, the staff of Kate Furbish began to build a “portrait of a graduate.” Qualities like intentional social-skill instruction and practice, emotional regulation work, play-based instruction, and communication rose to the top of their priority list. Finding a way to embed this work into the daily life of the school was already happening in their pre-K and K for ME classrooms. This thriving success inspired Principal Young to make the big leap of adopting both 1st and 2nd for ME programs. Coining it “Together for ME” this school year, Kate Furbish became the first school in the state to adopt pre-K, K, 1st, and 2nd for ME across the entire school – all 34 general education and six special education classrooms.

“I felt confident about this bold move,” Young said. “Our pre-K and kindergarten classrooms and staff were already seeing the positive impact of this program, so it was a clear path to adopt it school-wide.”

Besides being student-centered, this program is engaging and includes lots of intentional play and social-emotional skill building. Through Together for ME, staff and students see the powerful connections between classrooms, across grade levels, and throughout the school. There’s increased accessibility and reinforcement of Brunswick’s focus on belonging in this school-wide program. Students, including those in special education and English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs, are finding more ways to access their general education settings than before. Together, Kate Furbish staff members are committed to continuing to grow in their understanding and use of this work.

The Brunswick School Department provided this article. To submit good news to the Maine DOE, fill out the Good News Submission form.

Please visit the Maine DOE website to learn more about the state’s instructional programs, such as pre-K for ME, K for ME, 1st for ME, and 2nd for ME.

Registration Open for 2025 Maine Council for English Language Arts Conference

The Maine Council for English Language Arts (MCELA) is hosting its annual MCELA Conference on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland from 8 a.m. to 4 pm. Registration is open now, and spots are filling fast!

This year’s conference, themed Cultivating Possibilities in Ecosystems of Learning, features an inspiring keynote by Kate Roberts, more than 40 engaging workshop sessions, and a vibrant exhibit hall with 15 vendors offering valuable resources for educators.

Connect with fellow teachers, gain fresh ideas, and leave energized with new strategies to bring back to your students! Find more information and registration here.

If you have questions, please contact MCELA at information@mainecla.org.

FedPoint Accepting Applications from High School Seniors for Nursing Scholarships

FedPoint, a federal benefits administrator and marketplace operator, is accepting applications for its annual nursing scholarships program. Four $5,000 scholarships will be announced in May during National Nurses Week, which occurs from May 6-12. Applications must be submitted by Sunday, March 16, 2025.

To be eligible for the merit-based scholarships, candidates must be graduating high school seniors who reside in New Hampshire, Maine, or Massachusetts and who will be attending an accredited nursing program in the fall of 2025. Additional details about the scholarship, eligibility requirements, decision criteria, and important dates are available here.

FedPoint employs several dozen registered nurses who work with thousands of claimants insured through the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) and their family members to provide care coordination and planning services. The company introduced the nursing scholarship in 2023 to promote nursing as a highly rewarding career and to help bolster the future nursing workforce in northern New England and beyond.

Again, the application submission deadline for the 2025 FedPoint Nursing Scholarship is Sunday, March 16, 2025. The scholarship review panel will include members of FedPoint’s care coordination team and nurses from the Cornerstone Visiting Nurse Association.

Annual Education Gala Celebrates Maine State and County Teachers of the Year

On the evening of March 8, leaders in Maine’s educational community gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor to celebrate the hard work and dedication of exceptional educators from across the state. The 11th annual Education Gala brought together Maine’s 2024 County Teachers of the Year, their family, friends, and colleagues, school and district administrators, community and state leaders, and corporate sponsors to recognize the outstanding contributions of these educators to the state of Maine and their exceptional achievements within education.

Dr. Jason Judd, executive director of Educate Maine, kicked off the event with opening remarks, highlighting the role of collaboration among educators, organizations, and the community in shaping the future for Maine’s students. Afterwards, Cary Olson Cartwright, representing the gala’s lead sponsor Unum, emphasized the crucial role of business and industry in supporting educational initiatives.

Attendees were then treated to a delicious dinner, enjoyed among the company of colleagues, mentors, and friends. The evening felt both celebratory and purposeful.

Joshua Chard, the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year, later took to the stage to reflect on his year in review. With a heartfelt message, Chard shared his experiences and the insights he gained during his tenure as Maine’s Teacher of the Year.

Next, attendees heard from Maine Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Pender Makin, who emphasized that although it is oftentimes difficult for educators to step into the spotlight and accept praise, it is vital that they be recognized for the crucial role they play in the lives of their students and in the community.

Long-time education champion and advocate Peter Geiger of Geiger, a sponsor of the Maine Teacher of the Year Program, also addressed the audience. A recurring theme throughout the night was the importance of sponsorship and support from local businesses. Without them, the event, along with the many opportunities provided to Maine State and County Teachers of the Year throughout the year, would not be possible.

A highlight of the evening included a presentation recognizing the 2024 Maine County Teachers of the Year, as well as the semifinalists and finalists for 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year. The support among honorees for one another was apparent, as they accepted these prestigious awards, which acknowledge the tireless efforts of these educators to foster growth and achievement in their students.

Then, the time came to honor Becky Hallowell, the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year. She received an iPad from the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM), presented by Amanda Nguyen and Alice Barr of ACTEM. Additionally, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows honored a long-time tradition by presenting Hallowell with a Maine Teacher of the Year vanity license plate. Afterwards, Hallowell addressed the crowd with a keynote address, focused on her passion for teaching, as well as her admiration for her fellow2024 County Teachers of the Year.

Toward the end of the evening, one person in attendance at the gala was presented with the Karen MacDonald Service to Teaching Award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the teaching profession. This year’s award went to Melissa Garrette, the 2021 Oxford County Teacher of the Year.

As the gala came to a close, Educate Maine board member and Bangor Savings Bank representative David Pease took to the stage for final remarks. Pease reflected on the importance of celebrating Maine’s educators and the transformative role that teaching plays in shaping the future of the state and its students. His words served as an important reminder of the vital work that teachers do every day and the need to continue supporting them.

Overall, the gala was a resounding success, filled with celebration, inspiration, and a shared commitment to education.

The Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine, a business-led advocacy organization, in partnership with the Maine DOE, the Maine State Board of Education, and the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association (MCSTOYA). Funding for the program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River, Geiger, Hannaford, Maine Lottery, the Silvernail Family, and Unum.

Thank you to the 2025 Education Gala sponsors:

Lead Sponsor: Unum
Presenting Sponsor: Silvernail Foundation
Golden Apple: Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, Energy Efficiency Investments (EEI)
County Sponsors: Moody’s, University of New England Online, EEI, S.W. Collins Co., MMG Insurance, University of Maine College of Education and Human Development, Wiscasset School Department, Machias Savings Bank
Supporters: Cumberland County Federal Credit Union, Maine Health, Franklin Savings Bank, First National Bank, Martin’s Point Health Care
In Kind: ACTEM, Live + Work in Maine, Sea Bags

Maine Department of Education Expands Kindergarten Entry Inventory Project

During the 2024-2025 school year, more than 30 Maine kindergarten teachers participated in the first phase of the Kindergarten Entry Inventory (KEI) project, funded through Maine’s Preschool Development Grant and designed to help teachers gather valuable insights into children’s development across multiple domains. Since then, these teachers have tested various KEI instruments in their classrooms, using information collected to better support individual learning needs.

Now, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is preparing for the launch of the next phase of KEI during the 2025-2026 school year. The expansion of this project will pilot KEI instruments in approximately 100 kindergarten classrooms throughout the state. Ultimately, aggregated KEI data will help to strengthen Maine’s early care and education system by identifying trends in growth and areas of continuous improvement.

The Maine DOE is inviting kindergarten teachers to participate in this exciting initiative by applying for a Kindergarten Entry Implementation Specialist position! Kindergarten Entry Implementation Specialists will pilot a KEI tool in their kindergarten classroom during the fall of 2025. Selected participants will receive a stipend for their work. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, participating in training in the KEI tool administration protocol, piloting KEI with students, offering timely feedback, and attending periodic in-person and virtual meetings.

Your expertise and perspective are needed. All interested kindergarten teachers are welcome to complete this application. Applications are being accepted through May 9.

An informational meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 1, from 3:45-4:45 p.m. Please use this link to join.

If you have questions or need additional information about the KEI project, please contact Karen Mathieu, Maine DOE Kindergarten Entry Inventory Specialist, at karen.mathieu@maine.gov.

Making Math Meaningful for All: Applications Open for Math4ME Project

Math4ME is a free, three-year, whole-school project, designed to support all educators (i.e., classroom teachers, special educators, ed techs, and interventionists) to strengthen math proficiency for all learners with a specific focus on increased math proficiency for students with math individualized education plan (IEP) goals.

Administered by the Maine Department of Education (DOE), this project focuses on building positive math school communities and classrooms, mathematical content, and pedagogical skills; and supporting inclusionary practices, increased family engagement, and formative assessment, including the Early Mathematics Diagnostic Interview (EMDI).

For more details about the Math4ME project, check out this informational video.

Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort will be open until April 4, 2025. Please use this link to apply.

A virtual informational meeting will be held on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 4 p.m. Please register here in advance.

For questions or more information, please contact Maine DOE Math4ME Distinguished Educator Susan Hogan at susan.hogan@maine.gov or Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist Jen Robitaille at jennifer.r.robitaille@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Update – March 7, 2025

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

REMINDER: Grants for Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs Now Available; Applications Due April 2, 2025

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce the release of a request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids from organizations interested in implementing comprehensive afterschool and summer learning programs in 2025-2026. It is anticipated that roughly $2.5 million will be available to issue grant awards this spring. | More

Nominations Open for Outstanding Early Childhood Professional Spotlight

Do you know an outstanding early childhood professional who works with children from birth to age 8 in a childcare program, public school, private school, or home-visiting setting? If so, consider nominating them for the 2025 Week of the Young Child (WOYC) Outstanding Early Childhood Professional Spotlight! The deadline to nominate is March 21, 2025. | More

Maine DOE Partners with Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition and RSU 14 to Host School Nutrition Staff Training

On February 18 and 19, Chef Patrick Garmon from the Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition and Chef Ryan Roderick from RSU 14 joined the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Child Nutrition Team to provide in-depth training to school nutrition staff in Maine. | More

Maine DOE Seeking Paid Peer Reviewers for 21st Century Community Learning Center Program RFPs

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is accepting applications from individuals interested in learning more about the competitive grant process. Selected applicants will be trained to serve as peer reviewers who assist the Maine DOE in reviewing, assessing, and scoring competitive grant proposals for the 21stst Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program. Peer reviewers will receive $100 per completed assigned application. | More

Nominations Open for the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism

Nominations are open for the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism. Maine’s schools, volunteer leaders, nonprofit organizations, and service programs are invited to submit nominations by Monday, March 10, 2025. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Therapy Bunny Sparks Academic and Social Engagement Among Students at Raymond Elementary School

A fluffy new classmate is hopping into the hearts and minds of Susan Brackett’s fourth-grade class at Raymond Elementary School (RES). Since October, Peaches, a 15-month-old red Flemish Giant rabbit, eagerly greets Brackett’s students each morning, spending time with them during quiet classroom moments and at the end of each day. The students, in turn, welcome the bunny with even greater enthusiasm. | More

Community-Driven Consolidated Elementary School Project Underway in MSAD 54

MSAD 54, which serves the communities of Canaan, Cornville, Mercer, Norridgewock, Skowhegan, and Smithfield, is celebrating the construction of a new $75 million birth through grade 5 consolidated elementary school. The Margaret Chase Smith Community School, located at 40 Helselton Street in Skowhegan, is slated to open in the fall of 2025 as the first school of its kind in Maine, representing meaningful, positive change for the approximately 800 local students it will serve and their families. | More

First 10 Community Schools: Round Two Grantees Make a Difference in Their Local Communities

Since 2023, seven school administrative units (SAUs) across Maine have been awarded grants through the First 10 Community School Pilot, a project funded by Maine’s Preschool Development Grant. The First 10 model is a specialized community school approach that unites elementary schools, early childhood programs, businesses, community organizations, and social service agencies to support the well-being and academic success of children from birth through age 10. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

RESCHEDULED: Integrating Literacy through Background Knowledge Workshop with Josie Cameron

The Interdisciplinary Instruction team at the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to present a half-day workshop with educator and author Josie Cameron. The Integrating Literacy through Background Knowledge workshop has been rescheduled for April 7, 8:00 a.m. to noon, at the Wells Conference Center at the University of Maine at Orono. | More

Reminder: Register for Inclusive Education Conference on April 10

Join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) for the state’s first Inclusive Education Conference on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Augusta Civic Center. The conference theme is “Reimagining Education: Empowering All Learners, Embracing All Abilities.” It will provide school communities (educators, administrators, families, and students) with the tools necessary to empower every student, particularly those with disabilities, by embracing diverse abilities and ensuring that all students have the support they need to build inclusive, meaningful futures. | More

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

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Nominations Open for the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism

The Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism celebrate and recognize the role of citizen volunteers in the success and vitality of Maine communities. There are a variety of categories for recognition, including Youth Maine Volunteer of the Year and Youth Roll of Honor. The category of Young Maine Volunteer Roll of Honor is non-competitive, meaning that all submissions will be recognized. Nominees must be 18 years of age or younger and have volunteered at least 50 hours in the prior year.

Nominations can be made by visiting Volunteer Maine’s webpage for the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism.

Volunteer Maine, the Maine Commission for Community Service, manages this program on behalf of the Office of the Governor. For further information and questions, please reach out to Volunteer Maine at service.commission@maine.gov.