Webinar Series: Promoting Positive Childhood Experiences and Resilience

Maine Youth Thriving is hosting a series of free, virtual (via Zoom) professional development sessions throughout the next ten months in partnership with the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Child and Family Services.

These sessions will focus on:

How adverse and positive childhood experiences impact children’s development.
Ideas for how to support a stronger focus on positive experiences and for building resilience for young children.
Strategies for how educators can address compassion fatigue and build their own resilience.

Rotating Session Descriptions

Addressing Compassion Fatigue and Resilience Strategies in Educators and Caregivers – Join this training to explore stress impact and address compassion fatigue by developing strategies that promote resilience and reconnect you with the “why ” of your work.
The Impact of Experience: How Adverse Childhood Experiences and Positive Childhood Experiences Impact Healthy Child Development – Join this training to gain a comprehensive understanding of how both adverse and positive childhood experiences sculpt the foundation of individual development and uncover the transformative potential of PCEs in nurturing the children you work with.

Schedule

Two contact hours are available per session. Registration is required, and links to each session are provided in the table below. There is no cost to attend sessions.

You may find more information here.

Date/Time	Webinar Topic	Registration Link
Monday, March 10, 6-8 p.m.	Addressing Compassion Fatigue and Resilience Strategies in Educators and Caregivers	https://maineresilience.org/event-6048679
Wednesday, May 7, 6-8 p.m.	The Impact of Experience: How Adverse Childhood Experiences and Positive Childhood Experiences Impact Healthy Child Development	https://maineresilience.org/event-6048519
Wednesday, May 28, 6-8 p.m.	Addressing Compassion Fatigue and Resilience Strategies in Educators and Caregivers	https://maineresilience.org/event-6051093
Tuesday, October 7, 6-8 p.m.	The Impact of Experience: How Adverse Childhood Experiences and Positive Childhood Experiences Impact Healthy Child Development	https://maineresilience.org/event-6051085
Tuesday, October 21, 6-8 p.m.	Addressing Compassion Fatigue and Resilience Strategies in Educators and Caregivers	https://maineresilience.org/event-6051095

If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Madore, Maine DOE Early Childhood Specialist, nicole.madore@maine.gov.

Part B of Celebrating Rural Maine Project to Focus on Wabanaki Perspectives

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is pleased to announce the distinguished speakers for Part B of the Celebrating Rural Maine project! This three-part professional learning series engages rural educators in a deep exploration of Maine’s history. All teachers are welcome to participate in Part B, regardless of prior participation in other sessions.

Event Details

The series consists of three Saturday colloquiums on March 8, April 12, and May 17, each scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and centered on this year’s theme: “Geography of the Place We Now Call Maine”. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to engage with content experts, master teachers, and colleagues in discussions about Wabanaki studies, outdoor learning, innovative teaching models, and climate education.

Ongoing Engagement with Educational Strategies

Throughout the series, Dr. Mark Hofer (College of William & Mary) and Jessica Fries-Gaither (Albert Einstein Distinguished Fellow, Library of Congress) will demonstrate strategies for integrating primary sources to deepen connections with content.

Why Participate?

These colloquiums offer an engaging, interdisciplinary approach to understanding Maine’s history through geographical, cultural, and historical lenses. Educators will receive five contact hours per session.

Click here to learn more and register.

For more information, please contact Regina Holland, National Council for History Education Program Manager, at regina@ncheteach.org.

The Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is a part of the Maine DOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning.

This opportunity is funded through the Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources program and presented in partnership with the National Council for History Education.

You’re Invited! Join the Conversation About Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Practices in Maine

Educators across Maine are invited to participate in facilitated discussions this spring regarding Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). These discussions will provide an opportunity for educators to share their experiences, explore best practices, and address challenges in implementing MTSS across academics, behavior, social-emotional learning, and attendance supports.

These virtual meetings offer a space for collaboration, reflection, and contribution to the ongoing development of MTSS in Maine.

There are six virtual sessions available throughout March of 2025, tailored to different grade levels:

Elementary (pre-K through grades 5 and 6): March 4, 6, and 12 (3-4:30 p.m.)
Middle school (grades 5 and 6 through 8): March 18 and 20 (2:30-4 p.m.)
High school (grades 9 through 12): March 26 (2:30-4 p.m.)

Middle school educators (grades 5 and 6 through 8) may choose to attend either the middle or high school sessions, depending on what best aligns with their student population. Educators may register for multiple sessions but must sign up individually for each.

Why attend?

Your voice matters! Join fellow educators to collaborate, share experiences, and drive meaningful improvements in MTSS practices statewide. These discussions will inform future professional development opportunities and school support initiatives, ensuring educators have the tools and resources they need to effectively support every student.

Registration:

Elementary Session #1: March 4, 3-4:30 p.m. – Register here.
Elementary Session #2: March 6, 3-4:30 p.m. – Register here.
Elementary Session #3: March 12, 3-4:30 p.m. – Register here.
Middle School Session #1: March 18, 2:30-4 p.m. – Register here.
Middle School Session #2: March 20, 2:30-4 p.m. – Register here.
High School Session: March 26, 2:30-4 p.m. – Register here.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is looking forward to your participation and valuable insights, as we strengthen MTSS across Maine! For more information, please contact Andrea Logan, Maine DOE MTSS Specialist, at andrea.logan@maine.gov or 207-592-2011.

Webinar: Innovative Journalism – Educational Resources with Retro Report

Join Maine Department of Education (DOE) Civics Teacher Leader Fellow Breanna Bellefontaine-Krupski as she hosts David Olson, Director of Education at Retro Report, for an informative session exploring the organization’s rich educational resources.

Retro Report is an educational journalism organization that connects historical events with current issues through compelling storytelling and investigative reporting.

Attendees will gain insights into:

How Retro Report supports social studies educators.
Engaging, ready-to-use content and lesson plans for civics instruction.
Professional development opportunities for teachers.

Join this webinar via Zoom on Thursday, February 13, at 3:30 p.m. EST. Registration is not required. You may access the webinar here.

The Teacher Leader Fellow program is part of the Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning. For questions, contact Breanna Bellefontaine-Krupski at Breanna.Krupski@maine.gov.

Continuing Webinar Series on Expanding Multilingual and Multicultural Opportunities in School

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to continue the Multilingual/Multicultural Connections Webinar Series with its second session, Incorporating Indigenous and Critical Needs Languages into the Curriculum, on Monday, February 3, 2025, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. via Zoom.

This professional learning opportunity highlights the transformative potential of multilingual and multicultural education in Maine schools. General education teachers, administrators, and district leaders are strongly encouraged to attend and explore strategies to leverage the international partnerships established through the Maine DOE’s Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).

Why Attend?
Participants will:

Learn actionable strategies for integrating Indigenous languages, like Wabanaki, and critical-need global languages, such as Mandarin and Portuguese, into classrooms.
Explore partnership-driven resources, such as teacher exchange programs and virtual collaborations that enrich language learning.
Discover how to align language instruction with workforce development goals, preparing students for global careers.

Special Highlights
This session will feature insights from:

Bri Lolar, Maine DOE State Wabanaki Studies Specialist
Cynthia Huang, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office

Both experts will share real-world examples and practical applications for embedding critical languages into diverse classrooms.

Please use this link to register.

This series aims to demonstrate how Maine schools can utilize the unique opportunities afforded by the Maine DOE’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) partnership agreements with countries like Spain, China, Taiwan, Portugal, Germany, and France. Don’t miss this chance to explore the benefits of global engagement for your students and educators! Let’s work together to empower Maine students with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in an interconnected world.

For more information, please contact Ayesha Hall, Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships, at ayesha.hall@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Launches New Pre-K Professional Learning Series for Dual Language Learners

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is proud to introduce an exciting new professional learning series, designed to support educators working with Dual Language Learners (DLLs) in pre-K settings. This five-part interactive series will provide educators with tools and strategies to create inclusive, language-rich classrooms that celebrate student voice, engage families meaningfully, and embrace culturally-responsive practices.

Series Overview

Participants will engage in collaborative activities, watch expert-led presentations, and gain actionable resources, including Individualized Language Acquisition Plans (ILAPs) and Student Profiles designed specifically for pre-K learners.

This series is ideal for pre-K and Early Childhood educators, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers, and administrators supporting pre-K and early learning programs. It will empower educators to:

Develop child-centered, language-focused programming using asset-based student portraits.
Foster meaningful communication and authentic partnerships with families.
Build language-rich environments that integrate language development into daily routines.
Co-create culturally-responsive programming that reflects and celebrates student diversity.
Use data and assessments effectively to support growth and smooth transitions for DLLs.

Participants will receive Unlocking Multilingual Learner Potential, Second Edition by Diane Staehr Fenner and Sydney Snyder, provided free of charge. Enrollment is capped at 30 participants to ensure a collaborative and impactful experience. Educators and administrators are encouraged to commit to all sessions and will receive 30 contact hours.

Series Details

Dates:

Session 1: February 27, 2025
Session 2: March 27, 2025
Session 3: April 17, 2025
Session 4: May 29, 2025
Session 5: June 26, 2025

Time: 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Format: virtual and interactive

The application deadline is Friday, February 7, 2025. Please use this link to apply. Participants will be notified of acceptance by February 13.

About the Facilitator

Rebecca Carey, a 2024-2025 Teacher Leader Fellow with the Maine DOE, will lead this professional learning series. Carey is a dedicated educator passionate about supporting multilingual learners and fostering joyful, play-based learning environments.

Carey has developed an asynchronous resource, Dual Language Learners, Pre-K and Early Learning, which includes a short video addressing frequently-asked questions about identifying and supporting multilingual learners in pre-K programs. Accompanying slides and a one-pager offer additional resources to build culturally-responsive, child-centered classrooms.

For questions, contact Melanie Junkins, Maine DOE Multilingual and Bilingual Education Specialist, at melanie.junkins@maine.gov.

The Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning is committed to unlocking the potential of every learner by creating classrooms where every child thrives. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your impact and make a lasting difference!

Reminder: Registration Open for Inclusive Education Conference on April 10

Join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) for the state’s first Inclusive Education Conference on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Augusta Civic Center. The conference theme is “Reimagining Education: Empowering All Learners, Embracing All Abilities.” It will provide school communities (educators, administrators, families, and students) with the tools necessary to empower every student, particularly those with disabilities, by embracing diverse abilities and ensuring that all students have the support they need to build inclusive, meaningful futures.

The Maine DOE Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education and the University of Maine at Farmington are hosting this conference. The keynote speaker will be Katie Novak, an internationally renowned education consultant, author, graduate instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, and a former Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Massachusetts. Dr. Novak’s keynote address will focus on an introduction to inclusive education practices and structures in schools. She will also hold three sessions on Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

The conference will feature students, families, educators, administrators, university faculty, and Maine DOE staff from across the state, as well, who will share their expertise and experiences with inclusion in schools and communities.

Please gather a team of your school colleagues and meet us in Augusta this spring! The cost of the daylong conference (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) is $175 and includes lunch, as well as a wealth of information and resources.

Register here. (Please note that technical issues with the event registration website have been resolved.)

For more information, please reach out to Maine DOE Special Projects for Inclusion Coordinator Tracy Whitlock at tracy.w.whitlock@maine.gov. Click here to learn more about the conference and other inclusive programming.

WEBINAR: Lights, Stage, Learn – The Transformative Power of Theater in Education

Join Maine Department of Education (DOE) Arts Integration Teacher Leader Fellow Joshua Chard and special guests Reba Askari, Emily Dixon, and Allison McCall from the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine for an engaging and interactive webinar that explores how theater can enrich classroom learning and foster creativity, empathy, and critical thinking in students.

Educators will gain practical strategies for integrating theatrical techniques into lessons to make subjects more dynamic and relatable. Additionally, the session will highlight the lasting impact of exposing students to live theater performances, from sparking curiosity to deepening cultural awareness.

The Children’s Theatre of Maine was established in 1924 and continues to offer professional theater for young audiences at Maddy’s Theater, located at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine at Thompson’s Point in Portland. Join us to inspire your students through the magic of storytelling and performance!

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, February 5, from 3:15- 4:15 p.m. via Zoom.

Join the webinar here. (There is no need to register in advance).

The Maine DOE Teacher Leader Fellow program is part of the Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning. For additional information, please contact Joshua Chard at joshua.chard@maine.gov.

Registration Open for 2025 Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) Winter Workshop

Maine educators are invited to register for the 2025 Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) Winter Workshop, hosted by Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG). This event will take place on February 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor and is appropriate for a range of backgrounds – from experienced ELO facilitators who are seeking to refine their approach to educators new to this innovative curriculum delivery method who are interested in learning more.

ELOs are recognized in Maine statute as an educational pathway offering students personalized and hands-on learning experiences that connect academic standards with real-world opportunities. The Winter Workshop is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to create or enhance ELOs to better support student success.

Highlights of this workshop include:

Interactive Sessions: Dive into microlearning, application activities, and guided work sessions tailored to specific needs.
Peer Collaboration: Connect with fellow educators and ELO experts to share best practices and strategies.
Practical Takeaways: Learn how to align ELOs with state learning standards, integrate group-based approaches, and leverage the ELO Learning Management System on Canvas.
Student Voices: Hear firsthand from Maine students about the transformative impact of ELOs on their learning journeys.

Thanks to funding provided by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s Maine Career Exploration Program, registration and food costs for participants are fully covered by JMG. Attendees will also receive a certificate for five contact hours, applicable toward educator recertification.

With spaces filling quickly, now is the time for educators to secure a spot. Please register here.

For more information, check out the official event flyer. Please contact JMG’s ELO Coach Shayna Webber at swebber@jmg.org with any questions.

Maine DOE and DHHS to Host Annual Foster Care Points of Contact Training on January 30

The Annual Foster Care Points of Contact (POC) training for school administrative units (SAUs) is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, at 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. Hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), this event will bring together the foster care POCs from individual SAUs, as well as regional foster care POCs from the OCFS.

The purpose of this yearly training is to review foster care provisions, to review the State of Maine Transportation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Maine DOE and DHHS, and to provide those working most closely with youth in foster care an opportunity to network with counterparts across the state who support students in foster care.

The training will include a formal presentation, followed by an opportunity for SAU foster care POCs to connect with OCFS foster care POCs (listed below) in small breakout groups where participants will engage in regional-level conversations to share updates, successes, and concerns.

DHHS POC Regions in Maine

OCFS Foster Care Points of Contact for Education

District 1 – Angela Burgess (Amy Cilley covering)
District 2 – Elijah Herrick
District 3 – Deanna Dolloff
District 4 – Christine Winslow
District 5 – Lindsey Caron
District 6 – Jennifer E. Brewer
District 7 – Anna Edlund
District 8 – Chad Kelley
Statewide – Jill Hunter

More Information About Educational Protections for Children in Foster Care

The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed on December 10, 2015, and amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). ESSA contains provisions related to protections for children in foster care and requires the Maine DOE and SAUs to collaborate with the OCFS to ensure educational stability for children in foster care. The goal of ESSA’s provisions is for children in foster care to experience minimal disruption in their education as a result of being placed in foster care and to receive the same opportunities to develop the necessary skills to be successful as children who are not in foster care.

Under ESSA, the Maine DOE and OCFS must work together to ensure that:

A child in foster care will enroll or remain enrolled in the child’s school of origin, unless a determination is made that it is not in the child’s best interest to attend that school.
If a determination is made that is not in the child’s best interest to remain in the school of origin, the child will immediately be enrolled in a new school, even if the child and/or his or her guardians are unable to produce records normally required for enrollment.
The child’s new school must immediately contact the school of origin to obtain relevant records.

Please consider joining the Director of the Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports, Julie Smyth, and DHHS Manager of Field Operations, Jill Hunter, for the ’24-’25 Foster Care Points of Contact Meeting on Thursday, January 30. You may register in advance for this meeting here. Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

For questions, please contact Julie Smyth at julie.a.smyth@maine.gov or 207-592-0949.

Category: Professional Development