Category: Professional Development

Focus on Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom – A Community of Practice (CoP) Opportunity

The Maine Department of Education’s Early Learning Team is pleased to announce a new Community of Practice (CoP) focusing on supporting challenging behaviors in the classroom.  We are excited to bring together pre-k-2nd grade educators across our state in a virtual platform to build a community of support, resources, and learning.

This no-cost professional learning experience will focus on current developmentally appropriate practices and share resources to build social and emotional foundations. Sessions will run for one hour, take place virtually via Zoom, and will consist of group discussion of a previewed resource and time for large or small group problems of practice discussions.

The Community of Practice will be held from 3:30 – 4:30 PM. on the following dates:

  • September 26th
  • October 24th
  • November 28th
  • January 23rd
  • February 27th
  • March 26th
  • May 23rd

Register here.

For more information, please contact Marcy Whitcomb, Public Pre-K Consultant: marcy.r.whitcomb@maine.gov

Powerful Practices Professional Learning Community (PLC) Sessions: Reflection

Want to develop a reflective practice and need some support? Although many educators know reflection is important, it can be challenging to carve out the time to do it.  This workshop series provides teachers with the resources and time to start (or restart) reflecting on their practice.   

During these sessions, teachers will select a problem of practice to focus on and have time to reflect, collaborate with other teachers, and make an action plan.  As a result, educators will have the necessary time and tools to develop their reflective practice. 

Intended Audience: PK-12 Teachers 

To accommodate a variety of schedules, we are offering two sessions.  Please register for one session. 

Session 1 

September 19, 26, October 3, 10 

3:00 – 3:45 PM

Register here 

 Session 2 

September 21, 28, October 5, 12 

3:45 – 4:30 PM 

Register here 

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

The Maine DOE encourages all schools and districts across the State of Maine to learn more about interdisciplinary instruction on our website or by contacting the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team Coordinator at Kathy.bertini@maine.gov 

Public Pre-K and Partnership Open Office Hours Scheduled

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Early Learning Team is pleased to offer Open Office Hours focusing on technical assistance for public pre-k.

These office hours will feature Marcy Whitcomb, Public Pre-K Consultant, as well as Sue Gallant and Julie Raymond, Public Pre-K Expansion Consultants. Sessions are meant to be a time for educators, pre-k coordinators and administrators to come together to ask questions, celebrate successes and/or work through problems of practice in public pre-k that educators, administrators, and partnership programs may be experiencing.

Office hours are offered as part of the Maine DOE’s Pre-K Technical Assistance program and are intended to meaningfully support addressing questions and needs as well as provide networking opportunities; participants can join for the full hour, or just a part; for each session or only to obtain an answer to a question.

Pre-K Open Office Hour Sessions will be held the first Wednesday of each month, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., on the following schedule:

Month Day Topic
September 6th Starting the Year:  Family Engagement in the Classroom
October 4th ECCP classroom support with challenging behaviors
November 1st Student assessment and reporting
December 6th Celebrations and challenges
January 3rd Routine Reboot – coming back from the break
February 7th Bringing the outside in – nature-based play in winter
March 6th Incorporating STEM and technology in the pre-k classroom
April 3rd Transitioning our students – pre-k to k
May 1st Looking toward next year:  screenings, child find, enrollment

Please use and save the following Zoom link and password to access each meeting (the meeting link will be the same for each office hour session):

Public Pre-K Office Hours (1st Wednesday of the month) – Zoom link
Meeting ID: 831 6398 7276
Passcode: 07691734

To submit a topic or question prior to a session and/or for more information please email Marcy Whitcomb, Public Pre-K Consultant, at: Marcy.r.whitcomb@maine.gov

The Maine Educational Technology Directors Association Launches New Mentorship Program

The Maine Educational Technology Directors Association (METDA) will be launching a new mentorship program this fall that will provide a state-wide approach to providing professional development and support specific to Technology Directors who are in their first years as district decision-makers, resource managers, and instructional leaders.

Mentees will receive coaching from experienced mentors and have access to the expertise and resources of technology leaders in our state and beyond. The program will serve to elevate the success of Technology Directors in serving the needs of their local stakeholders while also building collective efficacy around best practices with educational technology across districts in Maine.

For more information, complete this form by 9/1/23.

Professional Learning Series: Conceptual Classrooms & Educational Programs for Teachers

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction (II) Team is excited to introduce “Conceptual Classrooms & Educational Programs for Teachers” (ConCEPT), an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing your teaching practices and student engagement through concept-based inquiry strategies. Grounded in evidence-based research, this program offers a comprehensive learning experience that will equip you with valuable tools and knowledge to transform your classroom approach.

What does ConCEPT offer?

  • Connection to Research: Discover evidence-based strategies and practices that support effective concept-based inquiry in the classroom.
  • Mapping and Planning: Learn how to design curriculum and instruction using concept-based frameworks, empowering your students’ learning journey.
  • Collaboration: Engage in collaborative activities and discussions with fellow educators, fostering a community of shared ideas and experiences.
  • Sustainable Change Leadership: Acquire leadership skills to drive sustainable educational change in your school community.
  • Customization: Tailor your learning experience to suit your team’s unique pathway, ensuring maximum impact on your teaching practices.

Why should you participate in ConCEPT?

  • Enhanced Curriculum Design: Develop concept-based inquiry curriculum and instruction design skills that align with the latest educational standards.
  • Strengthened Pedagogical and Content Knowledge: Deepen your understanding of both pedagogy and content across various subject areas.
  • Active Learning Strategies: Discover dynamic and engaging active learning strategies to invigorate your classroom environment.
  • Take Away Ideas and Materials: Gain valuable resources, ideas, and materials to enrich your teaching practices.
  • Integrated SEL Strategies: Learn how to integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) effective strategies to create a nurturing and inclusive classroom atmosphere.
  • Learning from National Experts: Benefit from the expertise of renowned national educators who will guide and inspire you throughout the program.

Who is ConCEPT designed for?

ConCEPT is open to teams of 3-6 members from K-12 schools. Participants may include Classroom Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Coordinators, and other Administrators (Superintendent/Principal). Teams must include at least one Classroom Teacher and at least one Administrator (e.g., Coach, Coordinator, building/district Supervisor, etc.). The rest of the team may be made up of any combination of participants.

Program Details:

  • Cost: Participation in ConCEPT is entirely free!
  • Contact Hours: You can earn up to 24 contact hours during the program.
  • Reimbursement: Districts/schools are eligible for reimbursement of costs associated with planning, such as substitutes or after-contract hours, up to $5000.
  • The II team will be offering a series of informational webinars dedicated to providing comprehensive insights into the ConCEPT pilot program. These live webinars are scheduled to take place during the last week of August and will be recorded for accessibility throughout September.
  • The application period will be open throughout the entire month of September.

Join us in this exciting educational journey that will empower you to create enriching concept-based learning experiences for your students. We look forward to seeing you continue to thrive as educators and positively impact your classrooms and school communities.

We look forward to sharing further details about the webinar schedule and registration process soon. Stay tuned for updates on our website and social media channels.  School administrators and educators are encouraged to visit the Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction team’s website during the month of September to access the application form and learn more about the selection criteria and ConCEPT pilot program requirements. Don’t miss the chance to part of a transformative educational pilot that will support positive change

For further information or to enroll in the ConCEPT program, please contact Kathy Bertini, the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team Coordinator, at (207) 816-0294 or kathy.bertini@maine.gov. You can also visit the Maine DOE website for additional details.

Maine Department of Education Hosts 1st Computer Science Summer Institute

Nearly 100 educators from across the state attended a multi-day institute in July, focused around computer science education. Educators spent two and a half days engaging in sessions and collaborating to integrate computer science into their classrooms and upcoming school year activities. Topics included Robotics & Programming, Coding & Hardware, Augmented & Virtual Reality, and much more!

These educators also spent some time exploring connections between the mobile computer science labs and SLAM clubs at their schools to help leverage the mobile lab technology to promote student leadership and engage students as experts with the mobile labs.

Check out this video to learn more about the CS Summer Institute.

These educators will be sharing some of the awesome computer science learning experiences they’ve been creating at the CS Ed Showcase on August 17th. For more information about the CS Ed Showcase, check out this article.

#MaineTeachesCS #CSISummerInstitute #MLTI #MLTISLAM

If you have questions or would like to know more about computer science education in Maine, contact the (Acting) Learning Through Technology Coordinator and Computer Science Specialist, Emma-Marie Banks at emma-marie.banks@maine.gov

This event was funded by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Funding (GEER).

Build Academic and Social Emotional Skills with SpiritCorps Maine (Funded Through ARP Grant)

Through a partnership with Spirit Series, the Maine Department of Education is offering SpiritCorps, a three-week, project-based, narrative writing and self-discovery program designed for students from 7th to 10th grade. First-time participating schools receive 100% funding through January 1, 2024, thanks to a federal ARP grant. Openings for the fall remain available on a first-come, first-served basis!

The SpiritCorps experience–as students identify, craft, record on video and share with their classmates personal stories of Courage, Conscience or Compassion–is often profound, building self-efficacy and strengthening connection at a moment when mental health crises and alienation plague our youth.

Here are some examples of the power of the SpiritCorps experience:

Powerful data collected last year by SpiritCorps shows strong academic and social-emotional gains, as do comments like these from students who have felt the influence of this program on their lives:

“I learned that my story is important and interesting… It helped me learn that other people are struggling with the same things I am and made me feel less alone.” – Bobby, 8th Grade, ME

“Doing SpiritCorps, I’ve learned what it actually means to be compassionate and courageous not just for myself, but for others as well.” – Sara, 10th Grade, ME

“This gave me the chance to really open up around my pain… It helped me let go, just a little, which means a lot to me. Thank you SpiritCorps!” – Randy, 8th Grade, ME

And partner teachers say this about the impact of SpiritCorps:

“I would absolutely recommend SpiritCorps to any educator. It was easy to use, fun and so well organized. It was great! It was so easy from an educator’s perspective to integrate this curriculum into my classroom…And it was a masterclass in self-reflection.” – Scott Arritt, Gr. 7 & 8 ELA, Durham Community School

“By providing an authentic audience and utilizing the peer feedback process, kids who do not consider themselves writers find that their voice has value and their stories are worth telling. And kids who love to write get expert advice on how to hone their craft. Time after time, our students produce their best writing of the year, hands down, during the SpiritCorps program.” – Sarah Abbott, Gr. 5-9 ELA, Noble Flex

“For those who engaged deeply in the process, writing stories about real compassion for themselves or others, this experience was truly a “gift to themselves”. I saw students forgiving a parent for hurting them and forgiving themselves for how they hurt themselves with their own thoughts. A truly powerful gift. A bonus to this experience is how it helped them see their classmates in a different light.” – Patti Forster, Gr. 10 ELA, Camden Hills Regional High School

To learn more, watch our brief video Introduction to SpiritCorps. For further information and/or to schedule an engagement at your school, email Dr. Christina O’Neal, Director of Program Partnerships for SpiritCorps, at coneal@spiritseries.org.

 

Maine DOE Hosts Second Annual, “Supporting Adult Multilingual Learners Summer Institute” 

The annual “Supporting Adult Multilingual Learners with their Educational and Career Pathways Summer Institute” was held at Sugarloaf from July 10th – 12th and brought together adult multilingual educators, directors, advisors, and other interested stakeholders from across the State of Maine. This year’s theme was “Building Bridges” and encouraged participants to seek connection across programs and inside the classroom.

This is the second year Maine DOE’s Adult Education Team has hosted the Summer Institute, also affectionately known as “Camp Sugarloaf.” Leaders of the institute worked to empower adult education professionals to support their students by increasing empathy and efficiency in four areas of growth: 1) Cultural Competence and Humility; 2) Overcoming Barriers to Education and Employment; 3) Teaching Practices that Reach All Learners; and 4) Workforce Development. Over the course of three days, participants were able to increase network connections and resources and focus on implementing best practices back into their own programs and community organizations.

This year, around 80 participants attended – nearly doubling in size from the previous year – and included 17 presentations, two whole group workshops, a workforce development panel, and a series of networking activities such as learning Kinyarwanda during breakfast, yoga, board game night, movie night, arts and craft night, and more.

The event was kicked off by Kelli Park, University of Southern Maine/Merrymeeting Adult Education teacher, who encouraged participants to consider best practices to increase Cultural Competence and Humility in the classroom. Other sessions included, “Integrating Technology at Every Level” by Lewiston Adult Education Instructors Melanie North and Jen Brown, “Understanding Immigration Law Challenges that Affect Multilingual Learners and Immigrants” by Michelle Gentry (Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project Senior Asylum Program), “Language and Identity Connections Across Cultures and Contexts” by Sarah Wagner (Frederick Community College Academic Advisor), “Mapping Resources in Your Community: MLL Edition” by Jeanne MacDonald-Johnson (Noble Adult & Community Education Assistant Director, Hub 9 MCCA Coordinator), and more.

Participants (or rather, Campers) were encouraged to embrace the spirit of personal growth, learning, and development during the three-day long event. Participant and Workforce Development Panel member Jennifer Tiner commented that Camp Sugarloaf helped her “make connections with other programs and staff to improve and refine [her] own practices.” “It’s an opportunity,” said Joseph Catalano, Workforce Development Panel member, “to think outside the box to solve problems.”

Presenter Jen Brown remarked that “the amount of fun stuff to process and connect, to be creative and have fun together” was one of the highlights of the institute. It allowed a structure to meet people and to ignite similar passions and, as presenter Briana Bizier later commented, understand that, as educators, “we’re all facing the same challenges. You feel like you’re alone sometimes.” Camp Sugarloaf gave educators a sense of community and a way to bring some of the most passionate educators across the state together to solve challenges creatively and collaboratively. “It feels like connecting together as people – authentically – rather than professionals” observed participant, Tekia Cox.

Back Row: Steven Airoldi, Lana Sawyer, David McDonough, Kelley Heath, Mike Emery Front Row: Cora Saddler, Amy Poland, Megan Dichter, Amy Hatch, Christy Le
Meet the Maine DOE Adult Ed Team – Back Row: Steven Airoldi, Lana Sawyer, David McDonough, Kelley Heath, Mike Emery and Front Row: Cora Saddler, Amy Poland, Megan Dichter, Amy Hatch, Christy Le

 

New School Nurse Orientation Registration Now Open! 

If you have hired or will be hiring a new nurse for your school over the summer? Be sure to include this workshop in their new hire work plan. The Maine Department of Education’s New School Nurse Orientation is a specialized program, designed to help nurses transition into the unique specialty of school nursing. 

This one-day event will be followed up with a monthly virtual Community of Practice for continued learning, connection, and support.  

For more information reach out to Emily Poland at emily.poland@maine.gov

Summer Training – SY23-24 State Reporting

This year, the Maine DOE Data Team is bringing back Summer Training! Several locations throughout the state have graciously agreed to host us to provide on-site training. All of the trainings will be held from 8:30 am – 12 pm. This year’s training topics will include new resources from the Helpdesk, staff reporting tools, and Synergy error logs. We look forward to collaborating with you!

Register Here!

  • Training Dates & Locations
  • August 3rd: Presque Isle
  • August 14th: Ellsworth
  • August 15th: Eastport
  • August 16th: Union
  • August 17th: Auburn
  • August 21st: Biddeford
  • August 22nd: Norridgewock
  • August 23rd: Corinth

For questions about Summer Training and/or other data training opportunities please contact Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov – 207-446-3897