Maine Educators Named Lead Co-Regulators to Support Phase 2 with The Regulated Classroom™

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and The Regulated Classroom (TRC) have named co-regulators to support educators across the state to support wellbeing and create safe and welcoming classrooms.

The first phase of the partnership included two-day training workshops specifically designed to enable educators to support staff in decreasing educator and student stress in the classroom through the application of the TRC™ framework. When phase 1 wraps up in September 2024, approximately 1,200 Maine educators will have attended Train-the-Trainer events hosted across the state.

Phase 2 introduces the sustainability of the TRC™ framework by providing additional training to a group of educators who completed Phase 1. These educators, the Lead Co-Regulators, will provide regional support to educators in implementing the TRC framework. The first TRC™ Lead Co-Regulators Workshop was held during the Maine DOE’s Annual Educator Summit.

The response to TRC™ training sessions from Maine educators was overwhelmingly positive, but many trainers found they needed more support. The success of the first phase of the partnership is evidenced in participants’ expressions of renewed faith that they can be successful in the classroom. The challenges educators face on a daily basis have been compounded in the wake of the pandemic. The right tools, resources, and supports have made a positive difference for educators.

The sustainability project establishes nine regional cohorts of educators who will, together, participate in a Community of Practice (CoP), providing in-person opportunities to share successes and brainstorm strategies to meet the challenges of practice. The intention of the CoP is to provide a continued framework of support for the new Lead Co-Regulators (LCR) working internally to support and train their colleagues throughout the schools of Maine in the TRC™ framework. Lead Co-Regulators were chosen through an application process occurring in late July. The intent was for each Superintendent Region to have two co-leaders from the region; however, due to the short turnaround of the application process and mandatory attendance at the August 8^th training, some co-leads will be traveling to alternate regions, providing support for all nine regions.

Maine’s Lead Co-Regulators (LCR)

LCR Contact Information	Superintendent Region	School/District of LCR
Claire Nichols cnichols@madawaskaschools.org	Aroostook Region	Madawaska High School
Sierra Blake sblake@rsu63.org	Penquis Region (Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset)	RSU63/Eddington
Cecilia Dube Cdube@sedomocha.org	Penquis Region (Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset)	SeDoMoCha Elementary – Dover-Foxcroft
Kayla Newmeyer kaygeorgiapeach@gmail.com	Traveling to Washington Region	Lewiston Public Schools
Julie Carpenter Carpenterjao@yahoo.com	Traveling to Washington Region	Auburn School District
Dawn McLaughlin dmclaughlin@msad41.us	Traveling to Hancock Region	Milo/Brownville Elementary
Heather Wilson hwilson@svrsu.org	Mid-Coast Region (Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc)	RSU 12- Windsor Elementary School
Deb Taylor dtaylor@svrsu.org	Mid-Coast Region (Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc)	RSU 12- Alna, Chelsea, Palermo, Somerville, Westport Island, Whitefield, and Windsor
Amanda Clark amanda.clark@mtbluersd.org	Western Maine Region (Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford)	RSU 9
Julie Schmidt jschmidt@lewistonpublicschools.org	Western Maine Region (Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford)	Geiger Elementary/Lewiston Public Schools
Stacy Knappe stacyreilly@mac.com	Cumberland Region	Scarborough Public Schools
Jessica Hunt jessica.hunt@lakeregionschools.org	Cumberland Region	MSAD 61Stevens Brook Elm Schl, Lake Region Schl District,
Kristy McNaughton Kmcnaughton@msad11.org	Kennebec Valley Region (Kennebec, Waldo)	Gardiner Area High School
Shannon Murdoch smurdoch@rsu18.org	Kennebec Valley Region (Kennebec, Waldo)	Messalonskee Middle School
Samantha Grace Samantha.grace@msad60.org	York Region	Noble High School/MSAD60
Anne-Marie Hamlin annemariehamlin@rsu57.org	York Region	Shapleigh Memorial School

All previously trained educators are invited to participate in three regional in-person CoPs. Lead Co-Regulators and the Maine DOE Events Calendar will notify them of those sessions.

Please complete this brief form to be included in the regional list serve: Complete THIS Interest Form!

Free Professional Learning: Integrating WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards Framework

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to provide support to School Administrative Units (SAUs) in their continued implementation of Maine’s English Language Development Standards. We invite all districts to participate in the following trainings:

A free, self-paced, six-module course called The WIDA ELD Standards Framework: A Collaborative Approach is available to all Maine public school educators through the WIDA Secure Portal. If you do not have a WIDA Secure Portal account, contact WIDA Client Services to have one set up for you. (Note that you must have a Maine public school email address.)All twelve WIDA self-paced courses provide leaders and educators the opportunity to responsively designed and implement professional learning through active facilitation and collaboration cycles for language growth and development. This can happen during department/grade level meetings, allocated professional learning time, or extended learning structures such as Communities of Practice (CoPs) and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).
The Maine DOE is also hosting a virtual workshop facilitated by WIDA: Planning with the WIDA ELD Standards Framework. The workshop will occur on October 2nd and October 9th from 3:30 – 5:00 pm. Participants must attend both sessions. This is an opportunity to leverage collaborative teams through participation. The workshops are free and limited to 40 participants. Registration closes September 25th. Register here.

Visit the Maine DOE website to access additional professional learning opportunities related to the WIDA ELD Standards and other topics specific to ESOL and bilingual/multilingual programs.

If you have any questions about the WIDA ELD Standards or the requirements for implementation, please get in touch with Jane Armstrong, Maine DOE English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) State Specialist at Jane.Armstrong@maine.gov or Melanie Junkins, Maine DOE Bilingual and Multilingual Education Specialist at Melanie.Junkins@maine.gov

Inclusive Education Professional Growth Opportunities for Early Learning Educators

To support inclusion in Maine’s early childhood programs, the Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network (MRTQ PDN), in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services, is excited to share four professional growth opportunities. These opportunities, which are part of the statewide Inclusion Initiative for children birth to grade 3, and funded by the Maine’s Preschool Development Grant, are available at no cost to Maine’s early care and education professionals who work with children birth to grade 3.

Inclusion Book Club

This virtual book club is available at no cost to Maine early care and education professionals interested in creating more inclusive classrooms. Book club participants will read and reflect on Inclusion Includes Us: Building Bridges and Removing Barriers in Early Childhood Classrooms (Huber, 2023).

If you’re interested in participating in the Inclusion Book Club, please complete this form. For more information, please contact Shilo Goodhue at shilo.goodhue@maine.edu.

Due to high demand, MRTQ PDN will be adding Inclusion Book Club offerings at different times in addition to the ones currently scheduled. If you’re interested in future offerings of the Inclusion Book Club, you can indicate your interest on page 2 of the form above.

Inclusive Education PreK to 12

Developed by the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS) at the University of Maine, this 20-hour on-demand training provides the fundamentals for creating classrooms that are inclusive of all students. The on-demand format allows participants to proceed at their own pace and to engage in the training when their busy schedules allow. No-cost access to this training is limited to early care and education professionals who work with children from birth to 3rd grade.

To participate, please complete this form to receive a code for free registration.

Inclusion Micro-Credential

The Inclusion Micro-Credential, offered by the University of Maine System, includes the 20-hour on-demand Inclusive Education PreK to grade 12 training above and a one-day in-person session for an in-depth discussion on applying training content (dates to be determined). No-cost access to this training is limited to early care and education professionals who work with children ages birth to 3rd grade.

To participate, please complete this form to receive a code for free registration.

Maine Inclusion Credential

The Maine Inclusion Credential helps practitioners build the skills, knowledge, resources, and attitudes to offer care to ALL children in an inclusive environment. Accepted applicants will be part of a cohort of early care providers and public school staff that completes the training series as a group for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Join an information session on September 4 at 6:30 pm – Click this Zoom link or contact Shilo Goodhue at shilo.goodhue@maine.edu.

If you’re interested in participating in the Maine Inclusion Credential cohort, please complete this form .

September Data Management and Reporting Webinars

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Data Team has many data management and reporting webinars scheduled in preparation for fall data collection. The Maine DOE Events Calendar lists all Data Team webinars for Synergy and NEO. Filter to the area of focus, “Data.” For questions regarding data reporting webinars, please contact Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov .

NEO Staff Data Entry Webinar:
September 3rd at 12pm – Register Here

Synergy Economic Status Upload & Alternate Economic Status Webinar:
September 5th at 12pm – Register Here

2024-2025 Quarterly Reports Webinar:
September 10th at 12pm – Register Here

Synergy Multilingual Learner Upload & Reporting Webinar:
September 12th at 12pm – Register Here

NEO Dropout Report Webinar:
September 17th at 12pm – Register Here

Synergy Special Education Upload Webinar:
September 19th at 12pm – Register Here

October 1 Enrollment Report Webinar:
September 24th at 12pm – Register Here

Training Opportunity: Moving the Needle on Inclusivity in Teaching and Learning

This event is open to all school personnel.

The Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) is hosting a training opportunity focused on learning around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ), and the impact that increasing understanding of DEIJ can have on teaching practices, instructional strategies, classroom management in every discipline area, as well as school climate.

Think about the following:

Have you looked at your curriculum and teaching practices with a lens of inclusion?
Are your materials representative of all students and their families?
Are your practices and use of language inclusive of all students and families?
Is there any evidence of diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice?

If you answered not sure or no to any of the questions, this training is a great place to start. The 2-day interactive training will include an exploration of foundational concepts in DEIJ and what it looks like in curriculum, instructional strategies, classroom management practices, and school climate. Following the 2-day training, there will be virtual Community of Practice sessions offered during the school year to reflect on DEIJ implementation in the classroom and school community. Trainers and Maine DOE specialists will also be available for technical assistance during this time.

Dr. Sarah Benes (she, her, hers) is the consultant for this initiative. Sarah is an assistant professor at Southern Connecticut State University in health education and physical education. In addition, she is the co-owner of Lighthouse Wellness & Health Education Consulting, and the current Past-President of SHAPE America. The training is being delivered and facilitated by health education and physical education teacher leaders and Maine DOE specialists.

Event Details: 

Burton Cross Building, Augusta
Wednesday, September 25th, and Thursday, September 26th
8:00 am – 3:00 pm each day
The fee for this training is only $50 (the fee assists with the cost of food). The Maine DOE covers all other expenses.

Register here. 

Financial Assistance: There are five-$150 scholarships available to help with substitute pay, mileage, and lodging to support attendance.  The form to apply for a scholarship is here.

Email susan.berry@maine.gov or carolyn.gross@maine.gov with questions and/or before registering if using a PO for payment.

RSU 87 Superintendent Describes How His District Trains and Prepares for Emergencies

Mark Turner is the superintendent of RSU 87, which serves the communities of Carmel and Levant, Maine. What he loves most about his job is the time he gets to spend in schools. As a busy district administrator, interacting with staff and students each day is so important because he gets to see the important work they do firsthand.

Along with the many responsibilities that come with being superintendent, Turner shared that it was his concerns about emergency procedures and the district’s ability to deal with struggling students that led him to the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Maine School Safety Center.

Turner is one of many Maine school administrators who have taken the School Safety Specialist course offered by the Maine DOE’s Maine Schools Safety Center (MSSC). The 8-week course is provided asynchronously through Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and helps fulfill State statute Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §1001, sub-§16, which states there must be a “designated employee having oversight regarding school safety.”

“We decided administratively to take part in the CSTAG training model, and I decided to take the School Safety Specialist training to better prepare to lead in an emergency,” said Turner. “The training certainly helped me to better see the big picture and update our safety protocols.”

CSTAG stands for Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines, and it is a comprehensive approach to early identification of students who may be on the pathway to violence by assessing problem behavior and offering interventions before the behavior escalates. CSTAG training is part of the Maine School Safety Center’s larger Maine Safe Schools Initiative.

As part of the CSTAG training, Turner learned about and introduced behavioral threat assessments to RSU 87 teachers and staff members.

“The behavior threat assessments we now use have truly helped us to respond to threats, support victims and aggressors, and create a safer school environment,” explained Turner.

Since Turner took the Safety Specialist training, RSU 87 has also updated its response protocol to the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) model and started a “see something/say something” campaign at its middle schools.

In keeping the RSU 87 school community up to date on these new protocols, the admin team was recently describing their process to a concerned parent when she remarked, “I’m so glad that you guys are so prepared to deal with these situations, I had no idea!”

Turner adds that they also plan to continue using the CSTAG model for behavior threat assessments going forward. He extends a big thank you to the Maine DOE’s Maine School Safety Center for being remarkably supportive throughout these trainings.

The School Safety Specialist course is a program of the Maine DOE’s Maine School Safety Center and is available at no cost to Maine schools. Cohorts start at the beginning of every month and complete in 8 weeks. All work is done asynchronously through Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and takes approximately 20-25 hours to complete.

For more information, visit the Maine DOE website, fill out an interest form, or reach out to Maine DOE School Safety Training Coordinator Wendy Robichaud at Wendy.Robichaud@maine.gov.

Maine Solutionaries Project Fall Cohorts

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is partnering with the Institute for Human Education to continue the Maine Solutionaries Project through the fall to educators interested in supporting students in applying their learning. This exciting project will provide an opportunity for educators in Maine to take a custom version of the Solutionary Micro-credential Program and participate in state-wide educator cohorts that focus on individual topics of interest. Not only will educators be able to participate at no cost, but they will also be eligible to earn a $1400.00 stipend upon completion of the program.

To participate in the first cohort, educators must attend a one-day in-person workshop at the Brunswick Hotel on Thursday, September 19th, followed by four one-hour group Zoom meetings plus a 1:1 Zoom meeting with the cohort facilitator or coach between Zoom meetings 3 and 4. In between the Zoom meetings, participating teachers will complete and submit work on the Learning Board. We understand that travel can be a concern, so we want to assure you that all travel expenses (mileage, lodging the night before if 2+ hours away, breakfast/lunch) are covered — those who complete the micro-credential by November 18th are eligible to earn a $1400.00 stipend.

To participate in the second cohort, educators must attend four in-person workshops in Brunswick Hotel on Thursday & Friday, October 24 & 25, and Thursday & Friday, Nov 7 & 8. There will be no Zoom meetings; all work will be done in person. Travel expenses are covered (mileage, lodging if 1+ hours away for 4 nights, and breakfast/lunch for both sessions). Participants must attend all four days — those who complete the micro-credential by November 18th get a $1400.00 stipend.

We understand how challenging it can be for educators to take time away from their classrooms to attend a four-day institute. However, this unique opportunity will equip you with a comprehensive plan to implement Maine Solutionaries within your classroom, enhancing both your teaching practices and your students’ learning experiences.

Spots are filling quickly, so visit the Maine Solutionaries Project website to learn more about this collaboration, view an informational webinar, or register for the project.

For more information, please get in touch with Kathy Bertini at Kathy.bertini@maine.gov or Erik Wade at erik.wade@maine.gov

Maine Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Conference Registration Now Open!

Join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education for the 14th Annual Maine PBIS Conference at the Augusta Civic Center on Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The conference is a chance for Maine Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) leaders and implementers from across Maine and beyond to come together to celebrate, learn, and network together.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Ruthie Payno-Simmons, the founder of RPS Educational Impact and serves as the Associate Director at the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center (MAP Center). She leads the coordination, design, and delivery of universal, targeted, and systemic equity-focused professional learning experiences and technical assistance to state and local agencies throughout the MAP Center’s 13-state region. Her keynote address is on, “Enhancing Positive and Supportive School Climate Through Storytelling and Rightful Presence.”

Conference Fees:

General (individual)- $195
Group (groups of 3 or more attendees)- $165
Student (full-time undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in 6 credits per semester for at minimum two semesters per year)- $85
Lead Presenter (those accepted to present; only lead presenters are at no charge; co-presenters will be charged the individual rate)- $0

For more information about the conference, to submit a proposal, sign up for a school showcase, and/or to register to attend the conference, visit the PBIS Conference Website.

Fall and Winter Professional Learning: Question Formulation Technique

The Maine Department of Education (DOE)  Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is hosting two asynchronous professional learning courses called Question, Reflect, Repeat: Introduction to the Question Formulation Technique.

The Question Formulation Technique is a powerful strategy to help students and adults ask their own questions, advocate for themselves, and participate in decision-making processes.

There will be two asynchronous sessions running from:

October 1 – November 1
January 6 – February 6

To learn more and register for this course, visit the Interdisciplinary Instruction Professional Learning page.

For questions, please contact Jaime Beal, Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist at jaime.beal@maine.gov

Maine DOE’s Annual Back to School Backpack of Resources

Happy back to school! The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has put together a virtual Back to School Backpack of resources and information to assist school and School Administrative Unit (SAU) leaders as a new school year begins. The Backpack contains resources related to school and student supports, health and safety, school nutrition, school administration and operations, teaching and learning supports, and strengthening the education workforce. You can access the DOE’s Back to School Backpack here.

You’ll find links to forms and information schools often need at the start of a new school year, resources that educators can use in the classroom, instructional supports and programs, and much more.

We wish you a wonderful back to school and a new school year filled with excitement, powerful learning, connection, and joy. Thank you for everything that you do for Maine schools and students.