Maine DOE Update – June 28, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

News & Updates

Students and Families in Dover-Foxcroft Kick Off Hot Lunch Summer with New SUN Bucks Program

Students and families gathered at SeDoMoCha Elementary School (RSU 68) on Monday to kick off the 2024 Hot Lunch Summer Meal Program and the new SUN Bucks benefit. The event, supported by officials from the Maine Department of Education (DOE), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and RSU 68, showcased new options to help ensure children have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer months. | More

Support for Educators Teaching Shared History of Genocide & The Holocaust

Helping students understand the complex and painful truths of the history of genocide and the Holocaust is not always easy. The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and its partners have many resources available to Maine educators to support them personally and professionally in this work. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Ignite PI and SAD 1 Adult & Community Education Partnership Provides Free Hospitality Training in Northern Maine

This spring, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) awarded a $400,000 Strengthening Maine’s Workforce Grant to Ignite Presque Isle and SAD 1 Adult & Community Education’s workforce development partnership. | More

Three Maine Educators Honored as Alternative Education Teachers of the Year

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) joins the Alternative Education Association of Maine in congratulating the 2024 Alternative Educators of the Year. The Alternative Education Association of Maine selects the recipients of the Maine Alternative Education Teachers of the Year for their hard work and determination as alternative education teachers in the State of Maine. | More

Biddeford ‘Odyssey of the Mind’ Teams Continue their Ongoing Success at State and World Championship

Biddeford High and Middle Schools had sweeping success in the recent Odyssey of the Mind State Championship, with six out of the nine teams placing in the State Championship, four teams placing in the top three of their respective divisions, and four teams moving on to the World Finals in Ames, Iowa. | More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

Summer Asynchronous Book Study Opportunities

Starting this July, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Team will offer two asynchronous book studies. Both asynchronous book studies include a free copy of the book and discussions on integrating the concepts into instruction, reflection, and collaboration through the EnGiNE learning management system. | More

Save the Date! 14th Annual Maine PBIS Conference Slated for November 2024

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education will host the 14th Annual Maine PBIS Conference on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at the Augusta Civic Center from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. | More

Maine DOE Annual Summit Session Registration

Event and session registration are open for the 2024 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Annual Summit held August 6th – 8th at the Augusta Civic Center. Sessions take place from 7 am to 5 pm each day. Breakfast and lunch are included! This year’s event features an all-in-one events app where you can select a personalized schedule following event registration. Register for the Annual Summit Here | See the Agenda & Sessions

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

Seeking Teacher Leadership Fellows for Civics, Financial Literacy, and Arts Integration

As part of The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) work to elevate the expertise of Maine’s education field, we are looking to hire Maine educators as Fellows in the following areas: Civics, Financial Literacy, and Arts Integration. | More

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

Media Release: Students and Families in Dover-Foxcroft Kick Off Hot Lunch Summer with New SUN Bucks Program

(A local farm brought calves and one got for students to put in honor of National Dairy Month.)

Dover-Foxcroft – Students and families gathered at SeDoMoCha Elementary School (RSU 68) on Monday to kick off the 2024 Hot Lunch Summer Meal Program and the new SUN Bucks benefit. The event, supported by officials from the Maine Department of Education (DOE), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and RSU 68, showcased new options to help ensure children have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer months.

SUN Bucks, announced last month by Maine DHHS’ Office for Family Independence, is an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program that provides families with a one-time benefit of $120 for each eligible school-aged child to supplement the summer grocery budget. Funds are sent directly to an EBT card for qualified families to purchase meals for students across the summer months.

“The USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs are an extraordinary opportunity to close the summer hunger gap. We, at USDA, are thrilled to be able to offer Maine SUN Bucks a new opportunity to support students in the summer months,” said Sakeenah Shabazz, a national senior policy advisor for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

Many schools and summer camp groups gathered at SeDoMoCha on Monday for the celebration. The theme of the day was “Get Mooving,” a nod to National Dairy Month. At cow print-covered tables, students were fed nutritious meals with samples from Oakhurst Dairy and Pineland Farms and colored pictures of happy cows. After lunch, students got to pet local farm animals.

Representatives from the Maine DOE, and DHHS greeted students as they headed outside to play.

Parents also came out to celebrate the Hot Lunch Summer program and learn about the newest summer meal option. “Me and the kids have come up for the past few years for meals. They love to do it. They love the food. It is a great program, and we are grateful the school has it because we are a low-income family,” explained one SeDoMoCha parent. “SUN Bucks is awesome; I am already signed up. I just got a letter in the mail that said I automatically qualified, so I didn’t have to wait or really do anything.”

Families already participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), experiencing homelessness, part of migrant families, or receiving MaineCare with a verified annual income under 185% of the federal poverty level will be automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks.

This new meal option comes in addition to congregate and non-congregate programs. Congregate meals, which are served at schools, have been available to families since the pandemic. Non-congregate meals, which are delivered, are also a recent expansion of Hot Lunch Summer.

“SUN Bucks is a wonderful addition to the Summer Meals Program we’ve been running for years and years. We have over 400 sites across the state of Maine where children can receive meals, either congregate or non-congregate. Hot Lunch Summer is keeping these kids healthy over the summer and keeping them learning,” said Maine Department of Education Child Nutrition Director Jane McLucas.

“The SUN Bucks program just goes in addition to what we’re doing. It’s just awesome. I bring smiles to kids’ faces, and I put food in their bellies,” said RSU 68 Food Service Director Heather Whitten.

SUN Bucks can be used anywhere that accepts SNAP benefits, including grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and convenience stores. It is especially beneficial for families living in rural Maine, who may have to travel further to reach a meal site.

“The SUN Bucks program is really exciting for so many of us,” said Michael Downs, Senior Program Manager of SNAP within the Office for Family Independence at the Maine DHHS. “Giving families an EBT benefit that they can spend at their local grocery store or farmers markets to make sure they have healthy foods in their homes for meals and snacks helps fill in some of the gaps that can arise during the summer months.”

Student’s filed into the kitchen for some Hot Lunch Summer meals.

Friday, June 28th, at the Kittery Community Center, there will be another Hot Lunch Summer kickoff, with more nutritious foods and summer activities. For more information on that event, please get in touch with Wendy Collins at wcollins@kitteryschools.com.

SUN Bucks is a federally funded program run by the USDA. For more information on Hot Lunch Summer, please visit the Maine DOE website.

For more information about the SUN Bucks program, including how to apply, visit the Maine DHHS website.

Summer Asynchronous Book Study Opportunities

Starting this July, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Team will offer two asynchronous book studies.

The first book is “Dispositions” by Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick. It discusses how educators can nurture and develop positive student dispositions. It emphasizes the importance of attitudes, habits of mind, and character traits that contribute to successful learning.

The second book is “Assessing Student Learning by Design” by Jay McTighe and Steve Ferrara. This book explores the methods for aligning assessment with learning and designing assessments that provide meaningful feedback to students. It covers key concepts such as formative and summative assessments, performance tasks, and using assessment data to inform instruction.

Both asynchronous book studies include a free copy of the book, which will be mailed to you, and discussions on integrating the concepts into instruction, reflection, and collaboration through the EnGiNE learning management system. You can sign up for one or both book studies, and since they are asynchronous, you can work on them at your own pace.

Any questions about these book studies can be sent to Erik Wade at erik.wade@maine.gov.

Save the Date! 14th Annual Maine PBIS Conference Slated for November 2024

Celebrate, learn, and network with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) leaders and implementers from across Maine and beyond! There will be inspiring keynote speakers and breakout sessions that are both interesting and practical for your classrooms, schools, and districts!

PBIS Conference Save-The-Date – Event Flyer (PDF)

More details, a call for proposals, and registration will open later this summer. If you have any questions, please get in touch with pbis@maine.edu.

Ignite PI and SAD 1 Adult & Community Education Partnership Provides Free Hospitality Training in Northern Maine

The Maine DOE awarded a total of $4 million in Strengthening Maine’s Workforce Grants between 2022 and 2023. These initiatives are funded through Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan.

Ignite PI is an organization committed to innovation and excellence in the Presque Isle area. Through dedicated training and professional development programs, Ignite PI strives to enhance the standards of the hospitality industry and create meaningful career opportunities for individuals in the area. SAD 1 Adult & Community Education provides comprehensive educational programs, ranging from basic education to vocational training, designed for adult students. Together, the two organizations have created a workforce development partnership that provides free hospitality training for workers.

The Strengthening Maine’s Workforce Grant has been imperative to the program’s success. Since the organization’s start in 2022, it has provided more than 4,686 hours of training for Ignite PI employees and 240 hours for non-employees. 135 workers total (94 Ignite PI employees and 41 non-employees) have undergone comprehensive hospitality training. 19 distinct training programs were designed to elevate the skillset of hospitality workers for 15 different local businesses. Not only have job opportunities increased, but the standard of service at multiple establishments has improved due to this training.

“We are thrilled with the progress and positive outcomes of this partnership,” said LeRae Kinney, CEO of Ignite PI. “The training programs have not only improved the capabilities of our employees at Ignite PI but have also contributed significantly to the broader community. This grant has allowed us to offer high-quality education and training free of charge, which is a tremendous asset.”

This program has been incredibly beneficial for businesses in the Presque Isle region. The supervisor of Dean’s Motor Lodge (whose staff attended the B.A.S.I.C.S training) remarked that “the training that my staff received was incredible! By having the opportunity to have face to face conversations and bringing up case scenarios, they were able to better understand the laws.”

The supervisor of Parkhurst Siding Pub (whose staff attended both B.A.S.I.C.S training and ServSafe noted that “It’s certainly nice to be able to hold trainings and elevate our workforce’s knowledge and marketability. These are skills they will keep with them their whole lives. A lot of these are public safety issues at their core so the whole community benefits as well.”

Ignite PI and Sad 1 Adult Ed Partnership Story

The Strengthening Maine’s Workforce Grant was originally set to end in June 2024; however, it has now been extended to June 2025 due to its success. Ignite PI, SAD 1 Adult & Community Education, and the Maine Department of Education hope that this extension allows for continued support and expansion of hospitality training programs and access to all who want to enhance their skills. The prolonged grand and positive feedback from business owners highlights the region’s ongoing need for skilled hospitality workers.

“The collaboration between Ignite PI and SAD 1 Adult & Community Education demonstrates the power of community partnerships in addressing workforce development needs,” remarked Shara Page, director of SAD 1 Adult & Community Education. “We are excited to continue this journey and look forward to training even more individuals in the coming year.”

To learn more about Ignite PI, SAD 1 Adult & Community Education, and hospitality training programs, please get in touch with LeRae Kinney lkinney@ignitepi.com or Shara Page pages@sad1.org.

Seeking Teacher Leadership Fellows for Civics, Financial Literacy, and Arts Integration

Create and distribute regular communication to the field in their focus area;
Maintain webpage content on the Maine DOE website related to their focus area;
Provide a monthly, 1-hour long professional learning opportunity for Maine educators. The professional learning will be based on requested needs from the field and will be offered virtually, synchronously, and archived for asynchronous access on the Maine DOE YouTube channel;
Provide Maine educators technical assistance regarding classroom-specific best practices in their focus area and
Fellows will form a community of practice led by the Chief Teaching and Learning Officer and will meet monthly to share best practices and engage in a book study to help support their work.

The Fellows will be selected from Maine’s field of exceptional educators through a competitive process. Applicants must demonstrate that they have experience as classroom educators (all levels welcome to apply), have demonstrated innovative approaches in their classroom, have knowledge and experience in the focus area, and have been involved in learning communities throughout Maine.

Since the fellowship is in addition to their regular teaching job, fellows will work remotely and outside of their contracted school hours.

Fellows will begin work as soon as suitable candidates are found and continue through June 2025. Fellows will be expected to work up to 20 hours/month for a stipend of up to $2,000/month.

Click here to apply. Applications close on July 22, 2024.

For more information or questions, please contact Beth Lambert, Maine DOE Chief Teaching and Learning Officer, at beth.lambert@maine.gov.

Support for Educators Teaching Shared History of Genocide & The Holocaust

Follow the links below to learn more and get access to high-quality resources on teaching the history of genocide and the Holocaust:

The MOOSE Project previously partnered with the Holocaust and Human Rights Center (HHRC) of Maine to develop learning modules for grades PreK-12. These modules help students transition from learning about empathy and care in early grades, into learning about the events contributing to and characterizing genocides (including The Holocaust), and finally into the moral and ethical discussions that help students process their thoughts and emotions and become active architects of a world where these atrocities no longer occur. Check out the multi-day workshops the HHRC has scheduled this summer that can earn educators up to 12 CEUs upon completion.
Maine Shared History is a collaboration between the Maine State Archives, Maine State Library, and Maine State Museum to help educators use local historical articles, documents, and other artifacts with their students. Primary source sets and teaching materials related to Genocide and The Holocaust are provided across grades 3-12 in sections related to Freedom & Captivity and Maine’s Bicentennial.
The Maine Solutionaries Project, a collaboration between the Maine Department of Education’s Interdisciplinary Instruction team and the Institute for Humane Education (IHE), increases educator’s capacity to facilitate solution-oriented learning with their students. In addition to the cohorts that are being trained this summer, IHE has materials on their website to support educators, which includes around issues related to Human Rights.

Remember that you can always contact the Maine DOE for resources and support on your professional learning journey! For more information or questions, contact Jennifer Page at jennifer.page@maine.gov.

Three Maine Educators Honored as Alternative Education Teachers of the Year

Please join us in celebrating the following individuals for their outstanding work with some of Maine’s most at-risk students! Their positive influence on student success is changing lives daily.

John Hawley
Teacher, Mt. Ararat High School

John Hawley has been working in alternative education for 6 years. He is described by his colleagues as someone who always advocates for students. Moving them beyond the “at-risk” label, he provides students with opportunities to actively engage in their learning, helping them feel connected to school and each other.

Each day is an opportunity and John Hawley fights for the Alternative Education program at every level, both community and state. All of this excites his students and makes every day another opportunity to learn, all while having the very best of times doing it. Hawley serves as a pillar of the Mt. Ararat Middle School Community, always bringing people together to better serve students both inside and outside his classroom. His goal is to always build the best possible Alternative Education Program for his students.

“My approach is to develop a collaborative team of students working on their grade level project-based curriculum,” said Hawley.

Christine “Cappy” Caprio
Teacher and Program Coordinator, York High School

Christine Caprio wrote the grant that provided the funding for an alternative education. program at York High School 19 years ago and has led the program to where they serve more than 30 students each year. Through her commitment to the program, she graduates close to 100% of her students within four years. She has implemented a project-based curriculum for York students that emphasizes student ownership and relevance to the curriculum.

She exemplifies a lifelong learner having attained multiple degrees in education. It is very rare to find someone who creates an alternative education and continues teaching in the program for over 15 years. During the covid outbreak in 2020, Ms. Caprio delivered food to her students weekly and forged a connection with them to check on their academic and mental health. She individually taught her students in their driveways to help them pass courses and graduate.

“In my thirty years in education I know of no other educator who has given so much and done so much for her students than Christine Caprio,” said a close colleague of Caprio.

“My work with students is rooted in community and connection; I seek to foster students’ natural curiosity and to challenge and engage them with meaningful, relevant project-based learning curriculum,” said Caprio.

Jacqui Holmes and Ed Sharood
Teachers, Kennebunk High School

Jacqui Holmes and Ed Sharood have shaped and built a vision for expanding the scope and reach of alternative education in Kennebunk. Their innovative programming takes students off of the school campus and into the community where students work in and for local partners. Students who have not found purpose or connection in traditional education are welcomed and challenged in tasks which have tangible real-world impact.

Holmes and Sharood, with 8 and 18 years in alternative education, respectively, traveled to the National Alternative Education Association Conference as ambassadors of Maine Alternative Education and advocates of purpose-driven, innovative curricular design. They became the first presenters from Maine in recent memory and drew both accolades and attention for their work.

“These two are simply inspiring,” described one of their colleagues. “They have given so much of themselves to create an environment where each student experiences purpose, challenge, and respect. After talking with Jackie and Ed, I feel like I want to do my own job better.”

“Through a project and community-based curriculum, we strive to create a space where students feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to take ownership of their own education,” said the dynamic duo in a collective statement.

To learn more about the Alternative Education Teach of the Year awards, visit the Alternative Education Association of Maine website or reach out directly to them.

Biddeford ‘Odyssey of the Mind’ Teams Continue their Ongoing Success at State and World Championship

(Pictured: Biddeford High School’s Performance Team, a Maine State Odyssey of the Mind State Champion and World Finalist. Left to Right: Ahlany Martinez, Kyleigh Froehlich, Emily Michael, Layla Keddy, Elliot Aranovitch, and Harvey Giddings.)

Odyssey of the Mind is a competition series where competitors utilize original problem-solving skills. In practice, teams will be presented with a long-term problem and then present their found solution at a competition. These solutions can be presented in a way that is either verbal or hands-on. Students work in small teams (up to seven) with very limited coach guidance. Some solutions to problems have included building vehicles that travel courses, creating machines to solve impossible tasks, building and ‘crushing’ a tower made of balsa wood, and performing humorous, witty skits. Odyssey of the Mind teaches teamwork, time management, budgeting, public speaking, thinking/troubleshooting skills, and inspiring individual and team growth.

Odyssey of the Mind has competitors ranging from kindergarteners to college students. This recent win isn’t surprising for Biddeford, as they have a long history of success.

“It is so exciting to see Biddeford students working so well collaboratively and excelling at problem-solving to consistently place at the State Tournament and move on to the World Finals every year since 2015,” says Odyssey of the Mind District Coordinator Victoria Salo. “We have had a strong team of coaches this year, which most certainly helps our students prepare for the state competition. Our teams were excited to head to the World Finals.” 

Both the high school Technical and Performance Teams were named State Champions and World Finalists at the tournament. The middle and intermediate school Performance Teams placed second, also qualifying for World Finals. Biddeford teams have now earned the top three places in the State Championship 13 times and advanced to the World Finals 11 times.

Biddeford High School’s Technical Team named Maine State Odyssey of the Mind State Champions and World Finalists. Left to right: James Cote, Emma Cote, Lara Galiardi, Kayla Arsenault, Ella Ireland, and Kyle Perkins.

The Biddeford Primary School even had three of their teams compete against fourteen others. Although they did not receive scores in their competition, they learned how to perform in front of an audience and answer questions from the judges.

Biddeford Middle School’s Performance Team are Maine State Odyssey of the Mind 2nd place winners and World Finalists. Front row (left to right): Amelia Ireland and Adalina Morrill; Back row (left to right): Maisie Giddings, Baxter Belanger, and Kalina Simard (not pictured: Anja Lunianski). — Biddeford Middle School’s Performance Team is a Maine State Odyssey of the Mind 2nd place winner and World Finalist. Front row (left to right): Amelia Ireland and Adalina Morrill; Back row (left to right): Maisie Giddings, Baxter Belanger, and Kalina Simard (not pictured: Anja Lunianski).

In the past two years, the Biddeford Odyssey of the Mind program has more than doubled in size. In 2017, Biddeford only had two teams, consisting of 14 students at the high school Division I and III levels. Today, the program has grown to encompass nine teams, consisting of 50 students in Division I, II, and III in all age categories. The teams cumulate many different demographics, such as special education students and top academic performers, and encompass many different interests, such as drama, athletics, and STEM.

Biddeford Middle School’s Performance Team are Maine State Odyssey of the Mind 2nd place winners and World Finalists. Left to right: Cooper Crockett, Bentley Hale (floor), Harrison Buchanan, Wyatt Harper, and Anthony Ramunno. — Biddeford Middle School’s Performance Team is a Maine State Odyssey of the Mind 2nd place winner and World finalist. Left to right: Cooper Crockett, Bentley Hale (floor), Harrison Buchanan, Wyatt Harper, and Anthony Ramunno.

Odyssey of the Mind has become increasingly popular throughout Maine, with 85 teams from 30 schools, ranging from Limestone to South Berwick, participating in the 2024 season. Turnout at the official state tournament, the Maine Odyssey Spring Fling, was record-high, with 550 students, 120 volunteer coaches, and many families attending. Nine Maine teams qualified for the World Finals, and four of them placed in the top 20.

Maine has been fortunate enough to be one of three teams in the world for a new pilot program, Odyssey Inclusive. OI is an adapted version of a traditional Odyssey of the Mind program, modified for neurodiverse students. The Lamoine Consolidated School OI team, coached by 2023 Hancock County Teacher of the Year Miranda Engstrom, did an amazing job presenting their solution at the State Championships, proving that Odyssey of the Mind is for all.

Jason Wheeler, the Association Director of Maine’s Odyssey of the Mind Program, has been involved with Odyssey since the age of nine. As a student who didn’t consider himself to be academically gifted, Odyssey of the Mind helped him develop a love of learning and problem-solving, as well as an identity beyond the classroom. He has made it his mission to ensure that the program is accessible to everyone in Maine, as being an environment that rewards risk-taking, encourages out-of-the-box experimentation, and reinforces the concept that there are “no bad ideas” is incredibly beneficial. Jason’s favorite part of Odyssey of the Mind is watching students transform into more confident and willing learners.

At the State Championship, the Biddeford Performance Team and coaches Victoria Salo and Suzanne Tighe (both teachers in the Biddeford School District) were presented with OMER awards. This award is named After the Odyssey of the Mind’s mascot, the raccoon, and honors all who serve as exemplary role models through their actions and/or words and team members who exhibit exceptional skill and/or talent.  

The teams performed exceptionally at the World Competition, with the high school Technical Team placing 7^th and the middle school Classics Team placing 35^th.  Congratulations to Kayla Arsenault, Emma Cote, James Cote, Galiardi, Ella Ireland, Kyle Perkins, and Coach Suzanne Tighe on the Technical Team, and Harrison Buchanan, Cooper Crockett, Bentley Hale, Wyatt Harper, Anthony Ramunno, and Coach Karen Ramunno on the Classics Team. The students’ hard work and dedication paid off, and they are looking forward to their next season.

To follow the team’s journey, follow the Biddeford Odyssey of the Mind Facebook Page.

Schools or parents interested in joining Odyssey of the Mind can contact Jason Wheeler directly at maineomguy@gmail.com, at 207-251-2347, or by filling out this Contact Form. For more information on Odyssey of the Mind, go to www.odysseyofthemind.com or www.meodyssey.org.

Maine DOE Update – June 14, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine Department of Education Offers Educators Free Access to Evidence-Based Literacy Modules

To support educators in providing evidence-based literacy instruction, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) announced that all K-5 educators have free access to high-quality literacy modules through June of 2025. Educators who complete the modules by August 23, 2024, will be eligible to receive a stipend for each completed module. | More

Child Nutrition Programs Continue to Feed Children Beyond School Year with the Hot Lunch Summer Food Service Program and SUN Bucks

With the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine public schools have long offered a nutritious breakfast and lunch meal program to thousands of children in Maine during the school year. In Maine, students have access to meals during the school day at no cost to them or their families. With summer around the corner, students can still access the meals they need through the Summer Food Service Program. This U.S. Department of Agriculture program operates at hundreds of sites across Maine. | More

Maine DOE Highlights Expanding Health Resource Access to Multilingual Families in Maine

In alignment with supporting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, new tools have been created for school nurses. This newest project directly reflects the advocacy and care our Maine school nurses possess, further strengthening our public health infrastructure. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Eight Maine Students Awarded Martin Mackey Memorial Scholarship

The Alternative Education Association of Maine has selected eight students to receive this year’s Martin Mackey Memorial Scholarship. Each student will be awarded $500 when they graduate. Each graduate’s inspirational story and passion for their education make them more than deserving of this award. | More

Bucksport Eighth Graders Unplug and Help Out During Camping Trip at Birch Point Beach State Park

This May, eighth graders from Bucksport Middle School left the screens behind for a weekend of learning and service at Birch Point Beach State Park in Owls Head. Miles Bisher, Bucksport Middle School’s social studies teacher and outdoor club advisor, brought his students out as part of the Teens to Trails’ Life Happens Outside® Challenge, one of the Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative’s 2024 programs. | More

TeachWithTech Grant Allows for Enthusiastic, Independent Learning with Lego Sets at Chelsea Elementary School

Students at Chelsea Elementary School were overjoyed at the sight of twenty new Lego sets as they walked into the classroom this year. Through the Maine Department of Education’s TeachWithTech grant, Chelsea Elementary School was able to receive twenty Lego SPIKE Essentials Kits. These Lego sets were accompanied by iPads, which were preloaded with the SPIKE app. | More

Maine DOE ConCEPT Pilot Spotlight: A Transformative Professional Learning Journey

This year has been transformative for Leslie Denton, the seventh-grade English Language Arts (ELA) teacher at Mt. View Middle School in Thorndike. Leslie’s professional learning journey, marked by a commitment to the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), was significantly influenced by her attendance at a ConCEPT Professional Development conference hosted by the Maine Department of Education. The conference, featuring renowned educator Katie Novak, equipped Leslie with valuable skills and strategies that she diligently implemented. | More

Maine DOE ConCEPT Pilot Spotlight: A Successful Intersection of Curiosity and Learning

The Maine Department of Education’s innovative ConCEPT Pilot program has yielded remarkable outcomes, as schools across the state have explored new ways to engage students through questioning protocols and scaffolding conceptual understandings into lessons. | More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

Registration Now Open for Maine Department of Education 2024 Annual Summit

2024 Annual Summit Theme: Supporting the Whole Student and School Community. Registration is now open for the 2024 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Annual Summit held August 6th – 8th at the Augusta Civic Center. Sessions take place from 7 am to 5 pm each day. Breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee of $150 for all three days. This year’s event features an all-in-one events app, over 150 session options with contact hours, four engaging keynote speakers, in addition to several mini-summits and other training options available during the event – Register today! | More

Professional Development Conference For Rural Maine Educators

Island Readers & Writers (IRW) will host the Dear Teacher Conference in Bangor on October 10 and 11, 2024, for educators and librarians working with students in grades Pre–K through 8. | More

Be a Part of Family Math Community of Practice

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking a total of 24 Elementary School educators to participate in a Family Math Community of Practice. This opportunity will provide valuable information and resources to bolster educators’ participation in the growing movement known as Family Math.| More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

Seeking Applicants for Maine DOE Mobile Learning Program Director

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) seeks a passionate Educator and Curriculum Developer to join our dedicated educational team in the Office of Teaching and Learning. This one-year contracted position will be instrumental in advancing the state’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, well-rounded educational experience that supports every student’s academic, social, emotional, and physical development. This position will lead the Maine DOE’s mobile learning program that will work with teams within the Maine DOE and Maine educators to develop career-focused, interdisciplinary, project-based, and experiential learning experiences to share with classroom teachers. | More

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here