Maine DOE Seeking Applicants for Assessment RFP Evaluation Committee

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking proposals for a statewide reading and mathematics assessment, per State of Maine procurement regulations. A critical step in the Request for Proposals (RFP) process is the scoring of proposals. Maine DOE is seeking the involvement of Maine educators in this process through participation in the RFP Evaluation Committee.

The RFP Evaluation Committee will be responsible for reviewing submitted proposals, completing both individual notes, and in-person consensus scoring. Maine DOE is looking for representation from across geographical regions and areas of educational expertise. If selected, RFP Evaluation Committee members must be available for independent review of proposals between November 15-20, 2024. Additionally, in-person consensus scoring with the Committee will take place on November 21, 22, and 25 in Augusta at the Maine DOE offices.

Please do not complete this application if you do not have the authorization and capacity to participate on these dates.

To apply to be a member of the RFP Evaluation Committee, please complete the application here.

To read the full Request for Proposals, click here.

Maine Department of Education Provides Free Professional Learning Opportunities Through the Pine Project

The Pine Project. This first-in-the-nation Maine DOE initiative aims to foster inclusive school environments by helping readers to explore themes of immigration, diversity, and belonging.

In September, every school administrative unit (SAU) in Maine received a Welcoming Library: Pine Collection, made up of 30 picture books that reflect the diverse experiences of immigrant families and their children. Embedded in these books are social-emotional learning (SEL) discussion questions that educators can refer to when facilitating impactful classroom conversations. Alongside the library, The Pine Project also offers a professional learning series, which features self-guided training for educators on how to use these books to teach critical skills like self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship building, and responsible decision-making.

The Pine Project professional learning modules follow the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework. Educators are encouraged to engage with the modules sequentially, taking time for reflection, deeper thinking, and personal engagement before advancing to the next module. The training focuses on key themes like identity, agency, belonging, collaborative problem-solving, and curiosity, featuring insights from leading Maine educators, as well as immigrant and first-generation authors.

You can access The Pine Project’s free professional learning modules here.

Melanie Junkins, Multilingual and Bilingual Education Specialist with the Maine DOE, and Kirsten Cappy of I’m Your Neighbor Books are leading The Pine Project. Content creators include lead educator Michelle Amato, consulting educator Melissa Guerrette, and project assistants Ange Ishimwe and Dhananji Rathnayake. Other team members are Michelle Amato, Aris Ayala Cruz, Dezh Azaad, Abusana Micky Bondo, Xavier Botana, Kirsten Cappy, Leonarda Carranza, Louise El Yaafouri, Melissa Guerrette, Ange Ishimwe, Terry Catasús Jennings, Francie Latour, Anne Sibley O’Brien, Muon Thi Van, Andrea Wang, and M.O. Yuksel.

The Pine Project represents a significant advancement in promoting equity and understanding in Maine schools. Educators are encouraged to fully utilize these resources, revisiting unfamiliar topics as needed and exploring the concepts further using the available online tools.

The Pine Project is part of Maine’s Whole Student Pandemic response and was developed through Federal Emergency Relief Funding. Visit the Maine DOE website to learn more.

Upcoming Fall Reporting Due Dates

Fall reports are due soon for validation and/or certification by School Administrative Units! All reports require review, validation, and/or certification by superintendents.

Due October 15:

Dropout Certification
Quarter 1 Behavior Validation
Quarter 1 Bullying Validation

Due October 30 (opening for certification October 16):

EF-S-05 Part 1 Special Education Child Count. This must be certified before October 1 Student Enrollment can be certified.
October 1 Student Enrollment

Due October 30:

EF-S-05 Part 2 Special Education Staff FTEs Certification. This must be certified before Staff Certification Report can be certified.
Staff Certification Report

The following reports are experiencing issues, and therefore, validation is being rolled into Quarter 2 reporting for January:

Quarter 1 Attendance Validation
Quarter 1 Truancy Validation

Guidance and instructions for reporting, as well as webinars about these reports, can be found on the MEDMS Data Systems Support page. For questions about these reports, please email MEDMS.Support@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896.

Maine DOE Update: October 11, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Wiscasset Elementary School Teacher Becky Hallowell Named 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Educate Maine have named Wiscasset Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Becky Hallowell as Maine’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made during a surprise ceremony Thursday with students and educators at Hallowell’s school in Wiscasset. | More

Maine Department of Education Launches Math Pathways Toolkit to Support Student Success

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to announce the launch of the Math Pathways Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to enhance mathematical learning and decision-making for students, educators, and families across the state. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Moscow Elementary Summer Outdoor Club Engages Students with Community Garden

This summer, Moscow Elementary School in MSAD 13 launched a new summer program for students in grades 2-4. The program, which took place three mornings per week for four weeks, allowed participating students to work in a community garden. Through it, they learned about garden maintenance, fresh vegetables, and more. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Join Maine DOE Civics Teacher Leader Fellow for a Q&A Session with the National Constitution Center!

Join Breanna Bellefontaine-Krupski, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Civics Teacher Leader Fellow, in the Office of Teaching and Learning, as she hosts the National Constitution Center’s Education Team in a webinar exploring resources the Constitution Center has available for civics teachers. | More

Webinar: Arts Integration in Schools – Enhancing Cognitive Development and Social-Emotional Learning

Join Maine Department of Education Arts Integration Teacher Fellow Joshua Chard in the Office of Teaching and Learning for this 45-minute webinar, “Arts Integration in Schools – Enhancing Cognitive Development and Social-Emotional Learning,” designed for all PreK-12 teachers. | More

The Promoting Stronger Connections ECHO© Series Starts This Week: An Opportunity Open to All Maine Educators

The Maine Department of Education invites Maine educators to attend the Promoting Stronger Connections ECHO© series with once-monthly sessions starting on October 9. Made possible by the Bi-Partisan Safer Communities Act Stronger Connections grant and a statewide Title II funding opportunity, there is no cost to participate in this program, and it is open to all school-based personnel throughout Maine.| More

See Innovative PreK-8 Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Action!

Are you a PreK-8 educator interested in providing more hands-on, minds-on learning that is focused on offering your students a look into possible careers and connecting them to their community? If so, check out a Learning Tour at St. George Municipal School on Friday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | More

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

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

MEDIA RELEASE: Wiscasset Elementary School Teacher Becky Hallowell Named 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year

“The Maine Teacher of the Year program recognizes exemplary educators in our state and provides a platform for highlighting the work of Maine’s public schools,” Maine Department of Education Commissioner Pender Makin said. “As an innovative educator who prioritizes engaging, projects-based learning for her students, Becky Hallowell will bring valuable perspective to this role. Her commitment to learning—both inside and outside of the traditional classroom—makes her an ideal pick for 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year.”

Hallowell’s Teacher of the Year journey began in May when she was named the 2024 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year. Along with 15 other County Teachers of the Year, Hallowell was selected from a pool of hundreds of teachers who were nominated. In August, she was named one of four state finalists before being selected as the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year.

Becky Hallowell teaches fourth-grade students at Wiscasset Elementary School on the bank of the Sheepscot River in Wiscasset, Maine. Hallowell earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maine at Farmington in 1994 and then received her Master of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine in 2011. She is the 2024 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year. Hallowell embraces a pedagogy that honors nature and place-based learning, establishing connections between students and the local, state, and global community. She believes learning is more powerful when linked to content that students personally value and find meaningful as they engage in project-based learning. While she finds great joy in supporting student learning, Hallowell commits to her own learning and that of her colleagues both as a mentor and a mentor trainer. She has teamed with the Maine Math and Science Alliance in a research project connecting place-based learning and science sense-making, presenting her work to other educators at conferences. Hallowell also collaborated with her teaching partner and a University of Maine at Farmington professor to connect preservice teachers with fourth-grade students to discuss literature. She presented this work with her partners at the National Council for Teachers of English conference in 2023. Hallowell enjoys exploring new trails in her free time, often finding a lesson in a unique mushroom or rock formation. She lives in Whitefield with her husband, three sons, and pesky kitty.

“Teachers have the most important job of guiding students to become the best possible versions of themselves,” said 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year Becky Hallowell. “Our children are Maine’s most valuable resource, and, as Maine Teacher of the Year, I look forward to celebrating the dedicated, creative, and compassionate teachers who show up for Maine children every day.”

The Teacher of the Year Program is a year-long process that involves educator portfolio and resume submissions, interviews, oral presentations, and classroom visits made by a selection panel comprised of State Board of Education members, school administrators, Maine Department of Education staff, legacy Teachers of the Year, and other Maine business partners. Hallowell was nominated for the honor by her teaching colleague, Neera Harmon.

“Educate Maine is thrilled to congratulate Becky Hallowell on being named the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year. Her dedication to place-based learning and her commitment to fostering meaningful student connections are inspiring, and we look forward to supporting her as she embarks on this exciting journey,” said Dr. Jason Judd, Executive Director of Educate Maine.

As the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, Hallowell will spend her year of service advocating for students and teachers and speaking to the importance of education in preparing Maine students for the future.  She will also represent Maine in the National Teacher of the Year program.

According to 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard, “Becky is about to embark on the professional journey of a lifetime. It will be a year of professional learning, educational advocacy, and celebration of all of the amazing teaching and learning happening in schools in Maine and across the nation. Becky’s passion for and leadership in outdoor education positions her perfectly to be a leader in this national cohort of exceptional educators.”

“On behalf of the entire Wiscasset schools community, I want to express our immense pride and gratitude that Becky Hallowell has been named Maine Teacher of the Year for 2025!” said Kim Andersson, Wiscasset School Department Superintendent of Schools. “This comes as no surprise to us; Becky is an innovative outdoor educator whose love of life and learning inspires and elevates everyone around her. Her work fosters care and knowledge about the environment and teaches every student the importance of their impact on the world around them. It’s truly remarkable, and so is Becky!”

The Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine, a business-led advocacy organization, in partnership with the Maine Department of Education, the Maine State Board of Education, and the Maine County and State Teachers and County 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.

Read an article about a day at Wiscasset Elementary School in Becky Hallowell’s classroom.

For more information about the Maine Teacher of the Year program, visit http://www.mainetoy.org.

Join Maine DOE Civics Teacher Leader Fellow for a Q&A Session with the National Constitution Center!

The session is geared toward middle and high school civics teachers in Maine. The team at the National Constitution Center will highlight available resources on civil dialogue, elections, and opportunities for teachers to invite experts digitally into their classrooms via their Scholar Exchange Programs. The National Constitution Center is a non-partisan organization dedicated to helping teachers educate students about government by providing them with rich resources about our constitutional founding and the three branches.

Please join us on Wednesday, October 23 at 4 p.m.. The link to join can be found here (no need to register in advance).

For further information, reach out to Breanna Bellefontaine-Krupski at breanna.krupski@maine.gov.

Maine Department of Education Launches Math Pathways Toolkit to Support Student Success

The Math Pathways Toolkit provides clear guidance on various pathways for students, allowing them to choose the right courses based on their individual needs and future goals. This toolkit is an essential component of the Maine DOE’s commitment to ensuring that every student has access to high-quality math education.

Key features of the Math Pathways Toolkit include:

Student Decision-Making Resources: A dedicated section that helps students and families understand the different math pathways available to them, empowering informed decisions about course selection. Learn more here.
Implementation Guides for Educators: Comprehensive resources for educators to effectively implement the Math Pathways in their classrooms, ensuring that all students receive personalized and relevant math instruction. Explore the implementation resources.
Support for Educators: Tailored materials and best practices aimed at helping educators enhance their teaching strategies and foster a supportive learning environment. Access educator resources.
Statewide Commitment: The toolkit reflects the Maine Department of Education’s dedication to providing a consistent and high-quality math education across the state, aligning with Maine’s educational goals and standards. Discover Maine’s commitment.

“The launch of the Math Pathways Toolkit is a significant step toward improving math education in Maine,” said Beth Lambert, Chief Teaching and Learning Officer at the Maine Department of Education. “By offering clear pathways and resources, we are empowering students and educators to work together in achieving mathematical proficiency and confidence.”

The Math Pathways Toolkit is now available on the Maine DOE’s website, providing a user-friendly platform for all stakeholders to access these resources. To explore the toolkit and start utilizing its features, visit the Math Pathways page.

If you have questions about this or other Teaching and Learning Initiatives of the Maine DOE, please contact Beth Lambert, Chief Teaching and Learning Officer, at beth.lambert@maine.gov.

Webinar: Arts Integration in Schools – Enhancing Cognitive Development and Social-Emotional Learning

Join Maine Department of Education Arts Integration Teacher Fellow Joshua Chard in the Office of Teaching and Learning for this 45-minute webinar, “Arts Integration in Schools – Enhancing Cognitive Development and Social-Emotional Learning,” designed for all PreK-12 teachers.

The Webinar will explore how integrating the arts into core subjects supports cognitive growth and social-emotional learning (SEL). Attendees will learn about the neuroscience behind arts integration, its impact on memory, attention, and executive functioning, and how the arts foster student empathy, self-awareness, and collaboration. Case studies and practical examples from music, visual arts, and drama will demonstrate real-world applications. The webinar will conclude with best practices for implementing arts integration and strategies for addressing diverse learning needs.

Please join us Monday, October 28, from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. The link to join the Webinar can be found here (no need to register in advance).

For further information, reach out to Joshua Chard at joshua.chard@maine.gov.

The Maine Department of Education invites Maine educators to attend the Promoting Stronger Connections ECHO© series with once-monthly sessions starting on October 9. Made possible by the Bi-Partisan Safer Communities Act Stronger Connections grant and a statewide Title II funding opportunity, there is no cost to participate in this program, and it is open to all school-based personnel throughout Maine.

Through MCD Global’s partnership as a formal ECHO© hub with the University of New Mexico, participants will experience high-quality ECHO© services that strictly adhere to the evidence-based model, ensuring fidelity and excellence. The ECHO© series provides for problem-solving in real-time, thanks to Maine educators sharing case studies. After each case study, subject-matter experts and participants provide relevant recommendations and immediate answers to pressing issues. The series also features didactic learning opportunities, which are short, focused segments on the most urgent topics affecting Maine’s educators. Participants will leave the individual sessions with implementation tools and strategies to promote mental health and wellness or “Stronger Connections”.

Register here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/e778af70c5234feca95df61019eb799a

Scheduled sessions take place on five selected Wednesdays, starting at 3:30 p.m.

DATE	Topic	Presenter
Oct. 9	Regulation and Classroom Management	Emily Daniels, founder and author of The Regulated Classroom®
Nov. 13	Resilient Systems	Courtney Angelosante, Maine PBIS Coach
Dec. 11	Restorative Practices	Stacey Barlow, Maine DOE Restorative Practices Specialist
Jan. 8	Radical Self-Care and Wellness	Kellie Bailey, Maine DOE Social Emotional Learning Specialist
Feb, 12	Establishing Bi-Directional Empathy	Heather Rockwell, RSU 67 Director of Curriculum and Academic Achievement

The Promoting Stronger Connections ECHO© series creates a virtual learning environment that empowers educators in Maine by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to foster resilient learning environments. The program focuses on enhancing educator preparedness and response by equipping them with practical strategies and best practices for managing classroom behaviors, addressing trauma, and responding to crises. The series of sessions will promote emotional and mental well-being by establishing a collaborative network of educators and mental health professionals and offering a forum for presenting de-identified cases for review and recommendations by colleagues and subject matter experts, including Greg Marley, Emily Daniels, Courtney Angelosante, several local superintendents and principals, and Maine DOE specialists.

What our Maine school-based participants are saying about ECHO:

“I am better able to understand the trauma responses that children exhibit at school. I understand that children are often not in control of their own behavior, and they need adults to help them learn the lagging skills.”

“I gained a toolkit of strategies to use with challenging behaviors. We are implementing PBIS in our district, and I feel the ECHO sessions will help me implement that more effectively with students who present challenging behaviors.”

“It helped me remember to connect and consult with others—even across the state. There are people who will help.”

“I became more aware of resources available in the community and gained greater confidence in my abilities to navigate complex situations. Collaborating with a team of experienced colleagues boosted my confidence in my practice.”

This series is made possible thanks to the Bi-Partisan Safer Communities Act Stronger Connections grant and a statewide Title II funding opportunity. For questions related to the project, contact Julie Smyth, Director of the Office of School and Student Supports, at julie.a.smyth@maine.gov. For questions regarding the ECHO© series, contact Lori Fecteau at lfecteau@mcd.org .

See Innovative PreK-8 Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Action!

In August of 2020, the Maine DOE was awarded $16.9 million from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rethink K-12 Education Models Funding. Maine was one of 11 states to receive funding and used it to launch the Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV) project, a multi-pronged solution with a primary goal of generating innovative remote learning models to provide equitable access to high-quality remote learning opportunities for all students. The RREV Research & Design (R&D) team is continuing the momentum of this work by offering Learning Tours and fostering peer-to-peer professional learning.

St. George Municipal School (PreK-8) was a RREV awardee. Through its innovative pilot, the school has been exploring the benefits of career and technical education for the last few years. CTE is typically only available at the high school level, so those involved have been creating their curriculum along the way! On Oct. 25 at the Learning Tour, you will get the opportunity to see their new Makerspace building, observe the learning in action, and talk to teachers and students.

This Learning Tour space is limited to 10 additional Maine educators. If you are interested in joining us on this tour, please reach out to Elaine Bartley, the RREV R&D Director, at elaine.bartley@maine.gov.

To learn more about the RREV awarded innovative pilots, please click here. There will be other Learning Tours available throughout this school year. You can find the list of upcoming tours on our website.