Author: Maine Department of Education

FY26 Funding Estimates for Opening or Expanding Public Pre-K Programs – Survey Due by Friday, Nov. 8

If your school administrative unit (SAU) is opening or expanding a pre-K program in the 2025-2026 school year, you are eligible to receive funding on your FY26 ED279 for children you enroll in these new or expanded pre-K programs in 2025. This means you will receive the funding for enrollment in the same year that you enroll the pre-K children, without a year delay.

If you are planning to start and/or expand public pre-K in the 2025-2026 school year and would like to receive an FY26 estimate pre-K allocation, please notify the Maine Department of Education (DOE) by completing the FY26 Estimate Pre-K Count Data Collection Form before Friday, November 8, 2024. There are three questions to be answered on the survey:

  1. What is your SAU? (Choose your SAU from a drop-down list.)
  2. Do you have an existing pre-K program (FY25)? (Yes or No.)
  3. What is your SAU’s Pre-K Estimated Increase Count (new slots available in new or expanding programs)?

SAUs completing this form must also complete the Pre-K Program Application with the Office of Teaching and Learning’s Early Learning Team by April 30, 2025 and obtain program approval.

The FY26 Estimate Pre-K Count Data Collection Form is meant to capture the FY26 estimate for new and expanding pre-K program enrollment. The estimated student count data, in addition to the current (FY25) enrollment in an existing pre-K program, will be used to provide funding for the FY26 ED279. An SAU’s pre-K total enrollment number, as reported and verified on October 1, 2025, should match the combined existing and estimated increase total that was used to calculate funds in the ED279. After October 1, 2025, an adjustment, based on actual enrollment reported in NEO on October 1, 2025, will be made to the pre-K allocation assigned on the FY26 ED279. Please note that this may increase or decrease funding.

For more information about establishing or expanding a pre-K program, please check out the webpage on the topic, or contact Early Childhood Specialist Nicole Madore at nicole.madore@maine.gov.

For questions specific to FY26 ED279 estimates, please contact Donna Tiner at donna.tiner@maine.gov.

Register for McKinney-Vento Fall Regional Meetings 2024 Through the Maine Department of Education

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is hosting McKinney-Vento Fall Regional Meetings to provide updates on federal, state, and local policies and discuss resources available to students and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Participants will learn about strategies for increasing local capacity to support McKinney-Vento-eligible students. They will also receive a brief training on the practical implementation of emotional intelligence and restorative practices to create a culture of care and “felt safety” in school from Stacey Barlow and Kellie Doyle Bailey of the Maine DOE.

During these meetings, participants will have an opportunity to brainstorm solution-oriented strategies for affected youth in their schools and communities and to network with colleagues from other schools and organizations.

The scheduled meetings are as follows:

  • Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford Counties
    Central Office at Lewiston Public Schools, 36 Oak St., Lewiston
    Tuesday, Oct. 22
    8:30-11 a.m.
  • Aroostook County
    Maine Department of Labor, 66 Spruce St., Presque Isle
    Thursday, Nov. 21
    9-11:30 a.m.
  • Mid-Coast, Kennebec, and Somerset Counties
    Burton M. Cross Office Building Room 103 A and B, 111 Sewall St., Augusta
    Wednesday, Oct. 30
    8:30-11 a.m.
  • Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties
    Wings for Children and Families, 900 Hammond St. #915, Bangor
    Wednesday, Nov. 20
    8:05-10:30 a.m.
  • Washington and Hancock Counties
    Maine DHHS Regional Office, 38 Prescott Dr., Machias
    Wednesday, Nov. 20
    1-3:30 p.m.
  • York & Cumberland Counties
    People’s Choice Credit Union, 23 Industrial Park Rd., Saco
    Wednesday, Nov. 13
    9:30 a.m.-noon

Registration for the McKinney-Vento Fall Regional Meetings 2024 is required. There is no cost to participate. This event is appropriate for any school staff or community-based organizations (CBOs) that support families and students experiencing housing instability. It is intended to be a space for connection and collaboration. You can find more information and register here.

Download our shareable flyer for the event (PDF)

If you have questions, please contact Susan Lieberman, American Rescue Plan McKinney-Vento Homeless Specialist, at susan.lieberman88@gmail.com or Signe Lynch, Interim McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Specialist, at signe.lynch@maine.gov.

 

 

Caribou Technology Center Criminal Justice Students Host 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, students in the Caribou Technology Center’s Criminal Justice program collaborated with the Caribou Fire Department to hold a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Caribou Community School.

The event began with an opening ceremony held outside by a tapestry of ladder trucks, American flags, and antique fire trucks. Among the crowd of community members and school district staff were first responders in full dress uniform, federal agents wearing ballistic vests, and students dressed in turnout gear. Special guests included Caribou Community School teacher Rodney Deschaine, who conducted the opening blessing; Civil Air Patrol for the Presentation of Colors, AJ Mierzwa, who sang the national anthem; Chief Brian Lajoie of the Caribou Fire Department, who made opening remarks; Boy Scout Troop 184, who did the flag-folding presentation; and community member Tammy Soucy, who played taps.

After the ceremony, the crowd moved inside the school, where the sound of recorded air traffic control transmissions played in the hallways, decorated with pictures from that horrifying day. The main staircase, covered in glowing lights, represented the climb that 9/11 first responders had to make to get to the top of the World Trade Center towers. On Wednesday, each Caribou participant clung to tags with the names of fallen heroes, as they began their trek up and down the staircase for the equivalent of 110 flights.

“Emotions were bittersweet, as we witnessed children, first responders, students, teachers, parents, and community members pay their tribute by climbing this staircase,” said Caribou Technology Center’s Criminal Justice program instructor Amanda Baker.

Criminal Justice students knew climbers would need help counting, so they created a system. At the base of the stairs was a table with a pool of rocks. Every time a climber completed five flights of stairs, they would take a rock. Once they earned 11 rocks, they knew their climb was complete.

Those who attended the ceremony recognized this event would not have been possible without the many hours of work the Caribou Technology Center’s Criminal Justice students dedicated to this class project.

“As their teacher, I’m so incredibly proud of their focus on details and the pride they demonstrated in the end product,” said Baker.  “They were professional as individuals and worked together as a team to make sure everything went as planned. I look forward to watching them thrive this school year.”

Caribou Technology Center provided information for this story. Complete the Maine DOE Good News submission form to submit good news from your school.

Integrating Literacy Through Map-Making with David Sobel

The Interdisciplinary Instruction team in the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to welcome David Sobel, educator and author of Mapmaking with Children, to Maine on Friday, Nov. 8 for an all-day workshop exploring the connections between map-making and literacy.

Map-making builds and strengthens the cognitive frameworks of reading, writing, and communicating by using symbols, structures, and perspectives analogous to grammar, punctuation, and composition. Whether mapping the relationships of their family members or the landmarks in their neighborhood, kids use maps to bring order to their world, create meaning out of their experiences, and share their knowledge with others.

This workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Steele House in Rockland, Maine. It is free to all Maine educators. Limited in-person spots are available and will be filled, as people sign up. People can also participate virtually via 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 link.

If you have any questions about this workshop, please contact Kathy Bertini at Kathy.Bertini@maine.gov or Heather Martin at Heather.Martin@maine.gov.

This workshop is the second of four presented by the Interdisciplinary Team on the topic of Integrating Literacy through Applied Learning. All events are available in person and virtually. The remaining workshops are listed below:

December 12, 2024, 8 a.m.-noon: “Integrating Literacy through Background Knowledge” with Josie Cameron at the Wells Conference Center, 169 Hilltop Rd., Orono. Use this registration link to spend the day learning with Josie Cameron.

January 15, 2025, 8 a.m.-noon: “Integrating Literacy through Applied Science” with Katie Coppens at the Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. Use this registration link to spend the day learning with Katie Coppens.

 

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 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.

“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!

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.

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.