Category: Professional Development

Free Professional Learning Opportunity: Build a More Compassionate Classroom with Narrative 4

Educators across Maine are invited to join Narrative 4’s National Schools Network (N4NSN), a transformative professional learning opportunity designed to foster empathy, connection, and student engagement through the power of storytelling.

This free program empowers K–12 educators with the training, tools, and resources needed to create compassionate classroom communities where every student feels seen, heard, and understood.

By joining N4NSN, educators will:

  • Become Narrative 4 Certified Story Exchange Facilitators.
  • Gain access to easy-to-use curricular resources.
  • Receive professional development and individualized support.
  • Join a nationwide community of practice and peer collaboration.
  • Access ongoing networking opportunities.

Program Overview

  • Who should apply: individual educators or small teams (up to 10 people) from any U.S. K–12 school, district, or homeschooling coalition
  • Time commitment: 12–16 hours spread over six months
  • Application deadline: August 8, 2025

Why It Matters

“The N4NS had a profound impact on my students, and the experience expanded my teaching style through the use of their curricular resources,” Leslie S. Leff, School Adjustment Counselor at New Hingham Regional Elementary School in Massachusetts, said.

The Narrative 4 model helps educators to unlock student engagement and create more inclusive learning environments by cultivating a culture of connection and mutual respect.

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your practice and build a stronger school community. Visit this link to learn more and apply.

About Narrative 4

Narrative 4 is a global nonprofit dedicated to equipping young people to harness the power of storytelling to drive positive change. Through its programs, students and educators alike develop skills in empathy, deep listening, imagination, and social impact.

For more information about Narrative 4 or this opportunity, please contact Narrative 4 directly.

Save the Date! 15th Annual Maine Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Conference on November 13

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education, in collaboration with the University of Maine System, is hosting the 15th Annual Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Conference on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Augusta Civic Center.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Steve Goodman, PhD, a research specialist at the University of Connecticut. He is a partner with the Center on PBIS and is a co-investigator with the Integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Research Network.

Goodman’s presentation, “Better Together: Integrating Academics and Behavior Support in MTSS,” will focus on an integrated approach to MTSS, which can improve efficiency and effectiveness when implemented with fidelity. This presentation will highlight critical features of an integrated model along with implementation examples.

Join us at the 15th Annual Maine PBIS Conference to gain tools to create a more positive climate in your school, increase student engagement and achievement, support staff involvement and teacher retention, and strengthen connections to families and community resources.

Please be on the lookout for further information about this conference in the Maine DOE Newsroom (subscribe here). For questions, please contact Tracy Whitlock, Maine DOE Special Projects and Educator Supports Coordinator, at Tracy.W.Whitlock@maine.gov.

Summer Reading Challenge/Professional Learning Day to Empower Educators, Center Stories, and Cultivate Belonging

The Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association (MCSTOYA) is proud to host the third annual MCSTOYA Connects, a summer reading challenge and professional learning day that provides a unique opportunity for Maine educators to come together around books and conversation. 

MCSTOYA is honored to partner with I’m Your Neighbor Books on the development of this year’s book list and event to support the theme “Migration Reads,” which focuses on stories of people who move—by choice, by force, or by necessity. From immigrants and new generations to refugees (those displaced by conflict or disaster), these stories help educators to explore the many reasons people may leave one place and make a home in another. 

This program invites educators to choose and read one or more books from a curated reading list of 15 titles—including children’s books, novels, graphic novels, and books in verse–spanning three levels: elementary, middle, and young adult. It’s an “a la carte book club.” This experience culminates in a one-day, in-person professional learning event where participants deepen their understanding of migration narratives and explore how to integrate these stories meaningfully into their classrooms.

Last year’s event welcomed more than 100 educators from across Maine, and organizers anticipate similar participation this year. This event supports teachers in building stronger connections with students and communities through powerful stories, practical teaching ideas, and partnerships with local organizations.

MCSTOYA Connects: Migration Reads aligns with statewide goals and builds capacity among Maine educators to use literature as a vehicle for understanding, connection, and empathy, while amplifying the voices of those whose experiences reflect the global reality of movement, resilience, and belonging. This is a chance for educators to listen, learn, and grow as a community, united by a belief in the power of story to build understanding. Together, we can cultivate classrooms where all students see themselves, and each other, in the stories we share.

With grant support, MCSTOYA is able to provide free books, honoraria for speakers, high-quality professional development, and ongoing educator support. Please register here.

For further information or questions, please contact the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association (MCSTOYA) at mainestoya@gmail.com. You may also download this flyer.

Registration Open for Third Annual Social Services and Education Professionals Symposium

The University of New England (UNE) College of Professional Studies and its partner Educate Maine are pleased to be hosting the Third Annual Education and Social Services Professionals Symposium, made possible through the generous support of its sponsor, Unum.

The event will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at UNE’s Innovation Hall, located at 772 Stevens Avenue in Portland.

This is a professional development conference for educators, social workers, and counselors who work to improve the social and emotional health of Maine youth. Admission is $35 per person, and participants will earn seven contact hours.

The event has a great lineup of all-new workshops and a wonderful lunchtime speaker: Julia Sleeper, Executive Director of Tree Street Youth Center.

Participants will be provided with breakfast and lunch. Two attendees will win gift certificates for the Samoset Resort and Cliff House Maine.

For more information and details about registration, please visit the event registration website or contact Tierney Matz at tmatz@une.edu.

Annual Regional Mentor Trainings Available to Maine Educators This Summer 

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for our updated annual regional Mentor Trainings, designed to equip Maine educators with the tools, knowledge, and community connections needed to mentor new educators or those new to their school administrative unit (SAU). 
 
These trainings are free, with four training dates and locations scheduled throughout the month of August (all of which run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.): 

Please use the hyperlinks below to register for the session in which you are interested:  

Registration closes on July 21. A maximum of 50 participants will be allowed per location, and a minimum of 12 participants is required in order to run a session. Those who register will receive confirmation of their registration and specific location details several weeks prior to their training. 
 
What’s New? 
The Mentor Trainings build upon prior collaborative work with teacher leaders, administrators, and higher education partners and incorporate the latest research and best practices in mentoring. Designed with direct input from educators, these trainings follow a scaffolded approach to provide a more personalized learning experience. 
 
Training Format  

  • One-day, in-person session 
  • Two virtual follow-up sessions (two hours each, later in the year) 
  • Contact hours awarded for all training components 
  • Training offered at no cost 

Additional Benefits  

  • Access to a Mentor Community of Practice through EnGiNE for ongoing support, networking, and resource sharing with mentors throughout the state 
  • Updated materials and resources available for SAUs to use locally with new mentors 

Testimonials from Participants in 2024-2025 
 
“This will help me to start a mentorship off on the right foot. Thank you!” 
 
“It is never too late to invest in the success of future teachers! Be proactive and engage others before they leave the system.” 
 
“As a result of the training, I better understand:  

  • Different ways to support new educators and to help them feel confident and successful.  
  • How to ask questions to guide rather than just tell them what to do. 
  • That building relationships with our mentees is crucial to mentoring.” 

With questions about this year’s Mentor Trainings, please contact Christina O’Neal, PhD, Maine DOE Educator Excellence Coordinator, at christina.l.oneal@maine.gov. 
 
 

Register for the Maine DOE 2025 Annual Summit on August 5 and 6; Fees Waived for Identified Schools

Registration is now open for the 2025 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Annual Summit, which will be held on August 5 and 6 at Thomas College. The two-day event, which costs $250 per person, includes breakfast, lunch, and access to nearly 100 sessions from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

The Maine DOE is pleased to announce that registration fees will be waived for identified schools for up to $2,500 (the equivalent of 10 staff members) per school. Identified schools are those that have been identified as part of Maine’s Model of School Supports (MMSS), including:

  • TSI-Targeted School Improvement
  • ATSI-Additional Targeted School Improvement
  • CSI-Comprehensive School Improvement

Keynote speakers include Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin and 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year Becky Hallowell, a teacher at Wiscasset Elementary School. 

This year’s Summit theme, Measure What Matters: The Expanding View of Educational Excellence in Maine, is emphasized through a variety of sessions on early childhood education, student behavior (including a session on The Regulated Classroom), social emotional learning, interdisciplinary instruction, youth engagement, special education and inclusivity, extended learning opportunities, outdoor learning and climate education, school safety, mental health literacy, emotional intelligence, literacy, math, technology in the classroom, and so much more!

Over the course of the two-day event, educators can earn up to 10 contact hours for their State of Maine educator and/or administrator credential renewal before the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, the Educational Trip Leader Permit Course, a special training certification, will be offered during the event. This course is required for any educator taking students on field trips involving water. 

The Summit also features several information tables, including a booth where the Maine DOE Certification Team will be available both days to provide support and answer questions.

A full list of sessions is expected to be available at the end of June, when Summit participants can begin to customize their personal agenda.

The 2025 Maine DOE Annual Summit is a great place to connect with educational colleagues across Maine, share ideas, and get the high-quality professional learning, tools, and resources needed before the 2025-2026 school year!

Registration Information

The event cost is $250 per participant. Again, registration fees will be waived for identified schools for up to $2,500 (the equivalent of 10 staff members) per school.

If you believe you may work at an identified school and would like to attend the Maine DOE Annual Summit, work with your school administration to confirm your school is identified and coordinate ticket purchasing for the (up to) 10 waived tickets per school.

Once again, this year, the Maine DOE is utilizing Bizzabo, an all-in-one event platform, to support registration and attendance. Through Bizzabo, participants will be able to register for the Summit, create and access their personalized schedule and registration information, and receive access to real-time conference and scheduling updates.

Reserve your tickets here now!(Please note: The event website has a separate “MMSS” ticket for school administrators from identified schools who are bulk registering waived tickets.) After you reserve your ticket(s), you will be provided with one registration number per ticket. To access individual registrations, download the Bizzabo app (Bizzabo in Apple Store | Bizzabo on Google Play) and log in with your email and registration number to access the event.

Lodging Information

2025 Maine DOE Annual Summit attendees are responsible for travel and accommodation during the Summit. The Maine DOE has secured two possible options for accommodation on-site and within a short proximity to the venue:

For further information or questions about the Summit, please contact Teri Peaslee at teri.peaslee@maine.gov.

Webinar: Nature as Canvas – Ephemeral Art and Outdoor Learning

Join Joshua Chard, Maine Department of Education (DOE) Arts Integration Teacher Leader Fellow, for an engaging 45-minute webinar on how nature-based and ephemeral art can ignite creativity, deepen content learning, and strengthen students’ connection to place.

Chard will be joined by special guest Becky Hallowell, 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, who brings a deep commitment to outdoor, place-based education. Together, they’ll share real classroom examples, practical strategies, and easy-to-implement ideas for using natural materials to support cross-curricular learning—from science and math to writing and social-emotional learning.

This session is ideal for educators seeking to bring learning outdoors and create meaningful connections between art, the environment, and student voice.

Date: June 5, 2025
Time: 3:15-4 p.m.

No preregistration is required. Join the webinar here.

For further questions, please reach out to Maine DOE Arts Integration Teacher Leader Fellow Joshua Chard at joshua.chard@maine.gov.

Applications Open for Leading Early Learning Fellowship: A Professional Learning Series for Elementary School Administrators

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the fifth cohort of the Leading Early Learning Fellowship, which will launch during the 2025-2026 school year. Applications will be accepted through July 14, 2025.

As more Maine elementary schools expand their preschool offerings and implement whole student approaches across the pre-K through grade 3 span, elementary administrators have expressed a need for professional learning tailored to early learning leadership. In response, the Maine DOE, in collaboration with two statewide early childhood organizations—the Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network and the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children—created the Leading Early Learning Fellowship, a dynamic professional learning series designed to meet these needs and support leadership development. Since its launch in 2021, the Fellowship has served four cohorts of elementary school leaders.

“Participating in the series has helped me to look at the decisions we make about our instructional programming and school community through the lens of early learning and what is developmentally appropriate for our youngest learners,” a participant from Cohort One said.

The Fellowship offers rich opportunities for participants to deepen their understanding of early learning pedagogy and best practices for supporting students and educators across pre-K through grade 3. The experience includes a blend of asynchronous learning modules, facilitated online professional learning communities, and in-person gatherings.

“I really enjoyed the variety of materials and activities in which we were engaged—videos, utilizing the observation and reflection tools, and the readings. Also, it was a great group of people to interact with, both online and in-person,” a participant from Cohort Three said.

To learn more, please review the informational guide, which includes full program details and the application link.  The 2025-2026 cohort will include up to 30 participants. Applications will be accepted through July 14, 2025. Once capacity is reached, a waiting list will be created.  

For additional information, please contact Maine DOE Director of Early Learning Lee Anne Larsen at leeann.larsen@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Affirms Commitment to Language and Culture: Promoting Multilingual and Multicultural Learning Across Schools

(Pictured: Ayesha Hall, Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships, with Fred Ravan, President of Educators for a Multilingual Maine [EMME].)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is proud to have successfully concluded its Multilingual/Multicultural Connections Webinar Series, a five-part virtual professional learning experience designed to expand access to language learning, cultural inclusion, and international collaboration in Maine schools.

This work reflects an ongoing commitment by the Maine DOE to promote multilingual and multicultural learning as critical components of student success. Through this series, the Maine DOE provided a platform for educators, school leaders, and international partners to come together, share strategies, and build community around a shared vision for more inclusive, globally-connected classrooms.

Each session explored timely and essential topics—including how to integrate Indigenous and critical languages, how to make the most of international Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and how to use tools like the Seal of Biliteracy and the Multilingual Learner Dashboard to expand language learning pathways.

“This wasn’t just a webinar series—it was an invitation to join an important conversation about inclusion in Maine schools,” Ayesha Hall, Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships, said. “Educators are already doing the work. Our job is to make sure they’re supported with access to partnerships, resources, and opportunities that reflect the needs of learners in our state today.”

As the series wrapped up on May 5, 2025, educators heard directly from district teams that have already begun integrating global partnerships and multilingual learning into their school communities—affirming all that is possible when language and culture are viewed as assets.

To continue supporting this work, the Maine DOE has updated its Global Partners Network webpage, where educators, district leaders, and partners can:

  • Revisit the webinar series and explore featured programs.
  • Connect with Maine DOE-supported international partnerships.

You may explore the Global Partners Network here. For more information or for inquiries regarding partnerships with the Maine DOE, please contact
Ayesha Hall, Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships, at Ayesha.Hall@maine.gov.

Deepen Your MTSS Expertise This Summer with New Asynchronous Mini-Course Series

Are you ready to grow your Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) knowledge and practice? This summer, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to offer a three-part, fully asynchronous MTSS Mini-Course Series. Each 28-day course builds on the last—complete Course 1 to unlock Course 2, and finish Course 2 to gain access to Course 3.

MTSS Mini-Course Series Overview

CourseRelease DateClose DatePrerequisiteFocus
Course 1: MTSS FoundationsJune 15July 13NoneCore MTSS principles and Maine policy context
Course 2: MTSS Leadership Practices and Teaming StructuresJuly 15August 12Course 1Leadership roles and teaming practices
Course 3: MTSS and Special Education – A Crosswalk CourseAugust 15September 12Course 2Connections between MTSS and special education

How It Works

  • Register for Course 1 by June 12 at midnight using this link.
  • Course 1 opens on June 15. Complete all modules and the final activity by July 13.
  • Course 2 unlocks for those who completed Course 1 on July 15. Complete by August 12.
  • Course 3 unlocks for those who completed Course 2 on August 15. Complete by September 12.
  • All courses close exactly 28 days after opening. No late enrollments or extensions will be available.

Why Participate?

  • Stackable Learning: Master each MTSS component before moving to the next.
  • Flexible and Asynchronous: Engage with readings, videos, and discussions at your own pace.
  • Maine-Focused: Learn practical strategies aligned with Maine DOE guidance and equity goals.
  • Professional Recognition: Earn a digital badge for each course. Complete all three to receive a Summer MTSS Series certificate.

Earn Contact Hours

  • Receive one contact hour per module (up to four per course; 12 total).
  • Earn up to 10 additional hours for attending the optional weekly course office hours.

Stay Connected

  • Join Office Hours: Drop in every Thursday at 9 a.m. for collaborative MTSS discussion and support.
  • Plan Ahead: Block out 30 minutes twice a week to stay on track.

Let’s make this summer the season that you transform your MTSS knowledge and practice. For questions, please contact Andrea Logan, Maine DOE MTSS Specialist, at andrea.logan@maine.gov.