Author: Maine Department of Education

Integrating Literacy through Applied Science Workshop with Katie Coppens

A number of studies on literacy have concluded that students who engage with texts on specific topics, particularly social studies and science, make greater advances in reading skills and comprehension compared to those who work solely with texts focused on reading.

To support educators with literacy integration, the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction team is hosting a workshop on Integrating Literacy through Applied Science with educator and author Katie Coppens. This event is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick.

Participants in this workshop will explore, discuss, and engage with:

  • The role of applied science in literacy.
  • The role of applied science in interest and in comprehension (or “meaning-making.”)
  • How applied science helps a student gain or transfer new knowledge.
  • Ways this support can be incorporated into their classrooms and future learning.

Limited in-person spots are available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants may also join virtually through Zoom, and the workshop will be recorded and shared with educators. Contact hours are available to participants. To register for this event, please use this registration link.

The Interdisciplinary Instruction team is part of the Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning. If you have any questions about this workshop, please contact Interdisciplinary Instruction team members Kathy Bertini at Kathy.Bertini@maine.gov or Heather Martin at Heather.Martin@maine.gov.

Portland Third Graders Create Ornaments for National Christmas Tree Display in Washington, D.C.

Joshua Chard, East End Community School Teacher and 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year, standing next to Maine's national Christmas tree.
Joshua Chard, East End Community School Teacher and 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year, standing next to Maine’s national Christmas tree.

Elementary students from Portland Public Schools recently created original ornaments that are now on the national stage, decorating Maine’s tree as part of the 2024 National Christmas Tree display at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Led by their teacher, 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard, third graders from East End Community School designed ornaments for the Maine tree this year as part of the “America Celebrates” ornament program, an annual collaboration of the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Park Foundation. Through this program, ordinary Americans create ornaments to symbolize the history, heritage, and culture of their homelands.

“In third grade, my students explore the history of the Presumpscot River, which flows into the bay visible from our classroom windows,” explained Chard. “We learn how the Wabanaki tribes have served as water protectors of these rivers, both in the past and today, and we take action to support rivers and the diverse life they sustain. Our ornaments showcase the flora and fauna found along the banks of the Presumpscot, symbolizing what we strive to protect, as we join the Wabanaki in being water protectors.”

Chard recently represented the state of Maine and his students at the 102nd National Christmas Tree Lighting event in Washington, D.C. During the event, President Joe Biden lit the National Christmas Tree, which is surrounded by 58 smaller trees representing states, territories, and schools managed by the Bureau of Indian Education and the Department of Defense Education Activity.

Vice President Kamala Harris, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, and other special guests from across the nation attended, and musical artists Trisha Yearwood and James Taylor performed. The tree-lighting event will air on CBS on Friday, December 20.

While in Washington, D.C, Chard also visited with Maine Senator Angus King, toured the U.S. Capitol and the White House to view holiday decor, and connected with fellow State Teachers of the Year from Illinois and Maryland.

Learn more about the America Celebrates ornament program here.

Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Announces 2024 Awardees 

Five educators have been named 2024 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (Maine AHPERD) Teachers of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding health education, physical education, and adapted physical education teachers who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their students and profession.

This year’s Maine AHPERD Teachers of the Year include:

In addition to Teachers of the Year, Maine APHERD also recognizes individuals and a community partner organization who serve as strong supporters of the Maine APHERD mission. For 2024, they include:

Additionally, Maine APHERD has recognized eight students hailing from seven Maine institutes of higher education as 2024 Outstanding Future Professionals in health and physical education:

  • Megan Dionne – University of Maine, Farmington
  • Emily Factor – University of New England
  • Samantha Fickett – University of New England
  • Olivia Gray – University of Maine, Presque Isle
  • Alexa Peck – University of Maine, Orono
  • Courtney Peltak – University of New England
  • Hannah Richardson – University of New England
  • Jobet Tardiff – Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
Pictured from left to right: Alexa Peck, Jobet Tardiff, Courtney Peltak, Jamie Dillon (Maine AHPERD President), Samantha Fickett, Megan Dionne, Hannah Richardson. (Absent from photograph: Emily Factor and Olivia Gray.)
Pictured from left to right: Alexa Peck, Jobet Tardiff, Courtney Peltak, Jamie Dillon (Maine AHPERD President), Samantha Fickett, Megan Dionne, Hannah Richardson. (Absent from photograph: Emily Factor and Olivia Gray.)

Check out the Maine AHPERD website for highlights and resources from the annual conference, held on November 2-4, 2024.

 

Applications Open for Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship

Applications for the 2025-2026 Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholarship are now open. This opportunity is available to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander American students who will be enrolling in, or who are currently enrolled in, a U.S.-accredited college or university as a degree-seeking undergraduate student. The deadline to complete this application is January 15, 2025.

This scholarship happens through the Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholars program, which seeks to provide a range of scholarship opportunities to underserved Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students, with a special focus on individuals who:

  • Are living at or below the poverty level or who are otherwise of low socioeconomic status.
  • Are a first-generation college student.
  • Represent the diversity, both geographically and ethnically, of the APIA community, especially those who have historically been, and who currently are, underrepresented on college campuses.
  • Have demonstrated commitment to their community through leadership and service.

As of this year, APIA Scholars has streamlined this application to include only one essay question. The application also no longer requires additional documents such as recommendation letters.

You can find more information and a link to the application here.

Scholarship amounts range from $2,500 in one-year awards to $20,000 in multi-year awards. APIA Scholars has a wide range of scholarship opportunities, including those for students currently attending or planning to attend Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions.

Registration Open for 2025 Maine School Winter Wellness Summit: “Nourishing the Body, Mind, and Soul”

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of School and Student Supports’ Employee Health Promotion and Wellness Program is pleased to offer the 2025 Maine School Winter Wellness Summit: “Nourishing the Body, Mind, and Soul.” School employees from across the state are invited to join their colleagues and register for this event being held on Thursday, January 30 and Friday, January 31 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport.

This event is open to individuals and school teams interested in supporting and implementing a school health promotion and wellness program that will positively impact staff and students. The Winter Wellness Summit is designed to renew and refresh school personnel mid-year by providing access to information, resources, and experiences that will inspire and empower participants to take care of their personal health – and to create healthier, more supportive, and safer school environments for all within the school community.

When school and district employees have positive attitudes and feel healthy, it enhances their ability to do their jobs. This is true for all employees, including central office employees, nutrition and transportation staff, educators, health service providers, administrative assistants, school board members, and all others who perform the day-to-day essential functions that help a school to operate and successfully fulfill its mission.

This year’s agenda includes two educational and inspirational keynotes focused on healthy eating and cultivating relationships. A plenary session will be led by state leaders and health and wellness champions making connections to The Regulated Classroom© and the Wellness Policy. Additionally, there will be engaging workshop sessions on wellness practices for personal and professional growth, creating positive and healthier school environments, and worksite wellness program planning, as well as networking opportunities with colleagues and professionals from across Maine who value health promotion and wellness.

The cost of the two-day event:

  • $175/person for those registering now through January 3, 2025
  • $200/person for standard registration (after January 3, 2025)
  • Accommodations are not included in the registration, but a block of rooms has been secured at a conference rate.

Details, including those pertaining to registration and the agenda, can be found on the Winter Wellness Summit webpage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maine DOE Seeking Educators to Pilot MOOSE Modules and Wabanaki Studies Educator Guides

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is currently looking for educators to pilot MOOSE Modules and Wabanaki Studies Educator Guides in their classrooms this spring.

Maine’s Online Open-Source Education (MOOSE) platform provides free, interdisciplinary, project-based learning materials created by Maine teachers for Maine pre-K through grade 12 students. Feedback on the modules themselves and their usability is essential, as the Maine DOE is constantly working to improve existing modules and apply lessons learned to new creations.

In addition to these modules, the Maine DOE has developed extensive Wabanaki Studies Educator Guides, which are also ready to be piloted for feedback. Educators may apply to pilot any combination of modules and/or educator guides in their classroom.

The Maine DOE is looking for Maine educators with classroom sizes of five (5) or more students who are interested in using these materials and providing feedback about their experience. Educators must choose the module(s)/guide(s) they would like to pilot and justify their decision in their application. Stipends will be provided for feedback on up to two modules and/or guides ($500 per module/guide) that have been piloted, with additional funds provided for de-identified student work and/or reflections ($50 each per module/guide). All required elements must be completed by June 22, 2025.

If you are interested in applying but still have questions, please contact Maine DOE MOOSE Project Manager Jennifer Page (jennifer.page@maine.gov) and/or Maine DOE Wabanaki Studies Specialist Brianne Lolar (brianne.lolar@maine.gov).

Applications can be found here. Those for the spring session are due by Sunday, January 12, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance for the program by Friday, January 17, and modules/guides may be piloted any time after Monday, January 27.

Maine DOE Update – December 13, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Maine DOE Seeking Educators to Pilot MOOSE Modules and Wabanaki Studies Educator Guides

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is currently looking for educators to pilot MOOSE Modules and Wabanaki Studies Educator Guides in their classrooms this spring. |  More

Region Two School of Applied Technology Modernizes Forestry Training with New Equipment

On Monday, December 2, the Houlton community celebrated Region Two School of Applied Technology’s acquisition of a new $480,000 John Deere forwarder, purchased through a Maine Department of Education (DOE) grant, made possible by Governor Janet Mills’ Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan. |  More

$7 Million Expansion of Biddeford CTE Center Boosts Career Pathways for Students

Students from Biddeford and surrounding communities are gaining new opportunities to build in-demand career skills, thanks to a $7 million expansion of the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT). |  More

REMINDER: Applications Open for 2025 Maine DOE Student Cabinet

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has opened applications for its 2025 Student Cabinet, a group of students that meets with the Maine DOE once a month to discuss educational initiatives, opportunities, improvements, and policy. Applications are due on Friday, December 20, 2024. |  More

Maine Surplus Property – December Update for Educational Institutions

Is your school looking for folding chairs or desk sets? Maine Surplus Property has these and other items available! More

Nominations Open for 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year Award

The Maine School Counselor Association (MESCA) is accepting nominations for the 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year Award. The deadline to nominate someone is Wednesday, December 18, 2024.|  More

Nominations Open for Maine Association of School Libraries Annual Awards

The Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL) accepts nominations for its annual awards, which recognize a school librarian, a school library support staff member, and a school administrator each year for excellence in supporting school libraries around Maine. The deadline for nominations is February 15, 2025. |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Kate Furbish Elementary School Kicks Off Second Year of Bike/Walk to School Initiative

On Wednesday, October 2, Kate Furbish Elementary School in Brunswick held its first Bike/Walk to School Day of the 2024-2025 school year. This is the second year that Kate Furbish has participated in this program, which is a multifaceted collaboration with Safe Routes to School, a national initiative that connects towns and neighborhoods to safe access points for biking and walking to school. |  More

‘Falmouth Friends’ Initiative Brings High School and Elementary School Students Together on Friday Mornings

At Falmouth Public Schools, high school students start their Fridays by greeting elementary school students through an initiative called “Falmouth Friends.” Launched at the beginning of the 2023/2024 school year by the Service Learning Department, this program continues to bring students from various high school clubs, teams, and classes together with their younger counterparts. |  More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

WEBINAR: Teach Maine Center Presents “Practical Strategies for New Teacher Success”

Get ready for an inspiring and transformative experience! Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) are teaming up to launch the Teach Maine Center, a groundbreaking initiative designed to support and elevate the next generation of Maine educators. |  More

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

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

WEBINAR: Teach Maine Center Presents “Practical Strategies for New Teacher Success”

Get ready for an inspiring and transformative experience! Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) are teaming up to launch the Teach Maine Center, a groundbreaking initiative designed to support and elevate the next generation of Maine educators.

To kick things off, we’re offering an exclusive free webinar (“Practical Strategies for New Teacher Success”) for novice teachers who are in their first three years of teaching and interested mentors, featuring Shanna Peeples, the 2015 National Teacher of the Year, on January 14, 2025, from 6:15 – 7:15 p.m.

This dynamic session will focus on:

  • Developing your teaching skills and confidence, as you navigate your early years in the classroom.
  • Setting realistic goals to ensure growth and success.
  • Practical, actionable strategies you can implement immediately in your classroom.
  • Reconnecting with your “why” — the powerful purpose that brought you to teaching in the first place.

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 14 for this webinar via Zoom. This is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the country’s most-celebrated educators, share insights with fellow teachers, and build lasting connections with your peers!

You can register here and download a flyer about the event here. Please help us spread the word and take advantage of this invaluable event to grow, share, and thrive together.

Nominations Open for Maine Association of School Libraries Annual Awards

The Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL) is accepting nominations for its annual awards, which recognize a school librarian, a school library support staff member, and a school administrator each year for excellence in supporting school libraries around Maine. The deadline for nominations is February 15, 2025.

Further details about each of the awards, including criteria and how to nominate someone, can be found here:

In addition to receiving recognition and a plaque, winners get a $500 check for their school library.

For more information, please visit maslibraries.org and click on the “Awards & Scholarship” tab.

Nominations Open for 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year Award

The Maine School Counselor Association (MESCA) is accepting nominations for the 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year Award. The deadline to nominate someone is Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

The Maine School Counselor of the Year Award honors outstanding school counselors who are running or supporting a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at their school.

The winner of the award will be announced at the Hall of Flags in the Maine State House during National School Counselor Week of 2025 (February 3-7, 2025) and will be recognized in Washington D.C. the following school year in January of 2026. The recipient is also invited to serve on the MESCA board.

Nominations for Maine School Counselor of the Year Award can be submitted here. Once you fill out the nomination form and submit it, the nominator and the nominee will receive a confirmation email.

Please contact Jackie Chaplin, Awards Committee Chair, at awards@maineschoolcounselor.org with any questions.