InnovatED: Igniting Innovation in Education

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) MOOSE team and the Interdisciplinary Instruction team are excited to announce a FREE virtual workshop day with John Spencer, Katie Novak, and Lynn Cuccaro on March 28th. This day-long workshop will feature morning keynotes from all three speakers and your choice of a two-hour afternoon breakout session with either John, Katie, or Lynn.

Sign up here to be part of the virtual workshop. Limited spots may become available for in-person workshops at the Senator Inn in Augusta. If you are interested in this, sign up for the virtual workshop and indicate whether you would be interested in participating in person in Augusta if the opportunity were available.

Descriptions of keynotes and workshops are available on the workshop web page. For further information reach out to

This opportunity is a collaboration between the Maine Online Open-Source Education (MOOSE) project and the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team. The MOOSE project is funded entirely (100%) through Federal money under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) totaling $4,598,000 for the current 2023-2024 funding cycle.

Monthly School Facilities Office Hours Now Available

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of School Facilities is pleased to offer Office Hours for those superintendents who are interested in submitting Major Capital School Construction applications. Sessions are intended to provide a time for questions and answers regarding the recently released application.

Office Hours will be held on the first weekday of the month from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Join the School Facilities Office Hours here.
Meeting ID: 811 4021 2680
Passcode: 27239338

For more information, contact Scott Brown, Director of School Construction at scott.brown@maine.gov.

Webinar: Asking the Right Questions

The “Asking the Right Questions” webinar will review methods and resources focused on the art of framing questions for the best possible student growth. The webinar will offer practical classroom methods and approaches for all grades–from pre-K to high school–that are supported by current research and instructor experiences. It will also include a host of useful resources readily available for teacher use, and end with a Q&A session where participants can explore concepts further, offer their own experiences, and exchange ideas.

When: Thursday, February 29, 04:00 PM – 05:00 PM
How: Register here
Additional Info: Continuing Education credits will be offered.

We hope you will join us for this informative and engaging webinar. For more information reach out to Maine DOE Humanities Teacher Fellowship Team – James St. Pierre James.St.Pierre.@maine.gov and Dorie Tripp Dorie.Tripp@maine.gov.

Asynchronous Course: Introduction to the Question Formulation Technique

In February, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Team celebrates the love of the question by hosting a course called Question, Reflect, Repeat: Introduction to the Question Formulation Technique. In collaboration with the Right Question Institute, the Maine DOE is hosting a three-week asynchronous course on the Question Formulation Technique (QFT). The QFT is a questioning strategy that:

Facilitates student curiosity and engagement
Helps students build confidence to ask questions and become empowered to seek answers
Improves student questions that support deeper learning
Improves the skills and strategies students need beyond the classroom

Some of the Learning Goals for this course are:

Understand the what, how, and why behind the QFT
Identify best practices for effective ways to design, facilitate, and adapt the QFT for specific purposes, including interdisciplinary and conceptual learning
Create, revise, and implement a plan for using the QFT in your own setting

On February 29th, the asynchronous portion of the course begins as we leap into the love of questions. On March 5th, there is a Zoom kick-off webinar from 3:30-4:30pm. The live webinar is an active, collaborative, experiential learning experience that lays important groundwork for the rest of the course. If possible, please arrange to attend live. If this is not feasible, the webinar will be recorded and available 24 hours after.

Intended Audience: PK-12 Teachers & Administrators
When: February 29-March 28; March 5th – a live webinar from 3:30-4:30
Where: Maine DOE EnGiNE Platform; one Zoom webinar
Contact Hours: 12 contact hours available upon completion
How: Click here to register.

For more information on this course, please contact Jaime Beal, Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist at jaime.beal@maine.gov

Maine Curriculum Leaders Association to Host Spring Conference in April

Join the Maine Curriculum Leaders Association (MCLA) for a spring conference, “From Obstacles to Opportunities: The Power of Learning!”

The conference features keynote speaker Trevor Ragan, the founder of The Learner Lab, along with various discussions on three key areas as leaders:

Why learning matters
Identifying the individual and group obstacles that can limit learning
Development and exploring the tools to help us overcome these obstacles

In the afternoon the conference will host a series of roundtable discussions focused on various topics including multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), literacy, growth mindset, and more!

MCLA Spring Conference: From Obstacles to Opportunities: The Power of Learning
April 8, 2024
Hilton Garden Inn Freeport
Learn more and register here

For further questions, reach out to MCLA at information@mainecla.org.

Webinar: Becoming a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment or an Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Please join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education, Education Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Children, and Catholic Charities Maine for a joint presentation about how to become a teacher of students with visual impairments or an orientation and mobility specialist.

Do you have a Bachelor’s Degree? Would you like a free Master’s degree? Do you enjoy working with children? Do you like variety in your job settings and enjoy travel? Are you looking to expand your professional skills? If you answered yes to these questions…

Please join us for a webinar to learn more about becoming a teacher of students with visual impairment or an orientation and mobility specialist.

Tuesday, January 30th
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Held virtually via Zoom – Register here

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. This webinar will be recorded for you to view at your convenience.

For additional information or questions please contact Amanda Castner at amanda.castner@maine.gov.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Listen & Learn

Is your school administrative unit (SAU) and/or school interested in implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)?

PBIS is “an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health that creates safe, positive, equitable schools, where every student can feel valued, connected to the school community and supported by caring adults.” (Center on PBIS, 2024).

Maine PBIS offers a 3-year intensive training and coaching model to support districts and schools in implementing Tier 1 PBIS with fidelity. To learn more about Maine PBIS and the training model please join the Listen and Learn Session and explore the resources below.

PBIS Listen and Learn Session
February 1, 2024, 1-2 PM
Register here

Cohort Training Overview (Google Doc)
Cohort 4 Training Dates (Google Doc)
Resource List with Application Details (Google Doc)

APPLY BY MARCH 8, 2024

For questions, reach out you the PBIS team at PBIS@maine.edu.

Community Schools Informational Session

Is your school or district interested in learning about how schools can partner with families and community-based organizations to provide supports so that every child has access to what they need to reach their full potential? Have you considered becoming a Community School? In many communities throughout Maine, not all families have access to healthy food, stable housing, vision care, or dental health services their children need. The impact of these challenges doesn’t stop when students step into the classroom. Community Schools work with families and community-based organizations as partners to provide comprehensive supports and opportunities to meet the needs and interests of students and families.

Informational Session

January 18 Registration – 3:30 – 4:30 Register HERE
Join the Maine Department of Education for a Community Schools informational session to learn more about Community Schools – the benefits and the steps toward implementation.
The session will be recorded and shared if you are unable to attend the live presentation.

Community Schools: Background

The Community School model was first recognized by Maine Legislative Action of the First Regular Session of the 127^th Legislature, in Public Law 2015, chapter 267, which authorized the Department of Education to fund a limited number of community schools.

According to the National Coalition of Community Schools, community schools create the conditions necessary for students to thrive by focusing attention, time, and resources on a shared vision for student, school, and community success. Its integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement lead to improved student learning, stronger families, and healthier communities. The community school strategy transforms a school into a place where educators, local community members, families, and students work together to strengthen conditions for student learning and healthy development. As partners, they organize in- and out-of-school resources, supports, and opportunities so that young people thrive.

Community schools vary in the programs they offer and the way they operate, depending on their local context. What makes community schools unique is the combination of four key features – or pillars- that together create the conditions necessary for students to thrive. The pillars are as follows:

Integrated student support.
Expanded learning time and opportunities
Family and community engagement
Collaborative leadership and practices

Information about Community Schools can be found on the Maine Department of Education’s Community School webpage at https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/safeschools/communityschools. For more information, reach out to Julie Smyth, Director of School and Student Supports at Julie.a.smyth@maine.gov or Ann Hanna, Community School Consultant, at ann.c.hanna@maine.gov

MaineCare in Education Bootcamp

Please join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of MaineCare Services for MaineCare in Education Bootcamp. This one day workshop is presented in a hybrid format with in-person and virtual opportunities on February 9th and 16th from 10 – 2 pm at the DHHS Building located at 109 Capital Street in Augusta. In person attendance is limited to 40. Light refreshments and coffee will be served. Lunch will be on your own.

Topics covered will include:

MaineCare basics
MaineCare covered service
reimbursement opportunities
IEP documentation
day treatment support
transportation
interpreter services
nursing services
how to start billing
MaineCare SEED
EPS School health-related services
technical assistance opportunities

Intended Audience: SAUs, SPPS, anyone accessing Maine CARE in schools

For questions or more information contact Amanda Castner at Amanda.castner@maine.gov.

Webinar: Culturally Responsive Practices in Special Education

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education and its partners at Maine Access to Inclusive Education Resources (MAIER) invite you to join Penn State University’s Dr. Jonte’ C. Taylor (JT), for a webinar on Culturally Responsive Practices in Special Education. This LIVE session will provide well-structured content on different pedagogies and how teaching and learning can be conducted by developing strategies that promote environmental characteristics and principles for students with disabilities in inclusive settings.

Participants will learn the importance of developing cultural practices in special education and how to provide intensive support for students regardless of dis/ability. The session will help the participant to develop action points and strategies necessary for incorporating cultural practices into the teaching and learning process.

The webinar will be held on Tuesday, January 23rd from 4:00 – 5:00 pm via Zoom (a link will be provided to you once you register)
Register here NOTE: This webinar will NOT be recorded, you need to attend to see the webinar.

Dr. Jonte’ C. Taylor (JT) is an Associate Professor of Special Education in the Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education in the College of Education at Penn State University. He taught for approximately 10 years with various populations from PreK to Adults in settings ranging from inclusive classrooms to residential treatment facilities. His research interests include science education for students with disabilities, evaluating innovative classroom practices, and bullying issues for students with Autism, Learning Disabilities, and Emotional/Behavioral Disorders. His most recent publication Mixtape Volume 1: Culturally Sustaining Practices Within MTSS Featuring the Everlasting Mission of Student Engagement was published this year.

NOTE: There are additional learning options regarding this topic from MAIER. MAIER has 5 hours of free, online/asynchronous learning modules from Dr. Taylor HERE. You can take these online learning modules before or after the webinar. You can get UMaine contact hours for these online learning modules once you complete the modules and an evaluation.

For additional information contact Sarah Howorth at sarah.howorth@maine.edu