Category: Instruction

Teachers Gather at the Schoodic Institute to Celebrate Rural Maine through Community Civics and Place-Based Inquiry

On a warm August evening, Maine teachers gathered around a campfire, as Chris Sockalexis, Panawahpskek (Penobscot) Nation Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, played drums, sang, and shared the importance of music in Wabanaki culture. His words offered a powerful close to the first day of the “Celebrating Rural Maine” summer colloquium, hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Team and the National Council for History Education (NCHE).

The colloquium marked the capstone of a yearlong professional development program supported by the Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Partner Program. Over the past year, participating educators have explored the use of primary sources, the Question Formulation Technique, and Maine’s geographical history—from the Wabanaki origin stories to the present day.

Held at the Schoodic Institute in Winter Harbor, this two-day event brought teachers, presenters, and community partners together in a retreat-like setting. Educators immersed themselves in Maine-based primary sources—documents, maps, photographs, and artifacts—and practiced strategies for helping students to analyze and question them.

“It was wonderful to be immersed, away from other distractions,” Jaime Beal, the district librarian in MSAD 40, reflected.

The goal of “Celebrating Rural Maine” is to provide teachers with professional learning, planning time, and community support to design place-based projects that connect students with their local history and environment. This fall, teachers will implement these projects in their classrooms and communities. The resulting work will be shared both on the Maine DOE’s Interdisciplinary Instruction website and the NCHE website, broadening the impact of these local stories.

Some of the highlights of the colloquium included:

  • A keynote by NCHE director Jessica Ellison, who highlighted the “superpowers” of primary sources by reconstructing the life of an ordinary farmer during the Great Depression.
  • A session with Dr. Debra Reid of The Henry Ford, who guided teachers through a historical mystery involving Rachel Carson’s eating habits, illustrating how primary sources can answer unexpected questions.
  • A session with Javaha Ross and Trey Smith of the Philadelphia Writing Project, who engaged participants in civically focused argument writing using child labor sources, encouraging teachers to explore the nuances of debate.
  • The “It Takes a Community” panel, which featured land trusts, museums, and other cultural and educational partners who support place-based inquiry.
  • Support from Acadia National Park rangers and volunteers, who showcased the region’s landscapes, wildlife, and local World War II history.
Melissa Prescott (left) Visual Arts teacher Telstar Middle School Georgia Grzywacz (right)
Geoff Wingard presenting


This fall, teachers and their community partners will bring these place-based projects to life, helping students across Maine to deepen their connection to the history, culture, and environment of the places they call home.

The Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is part of the Office of Teaching and Learning. To find more interdisciplinary resources and opportunities, please click here or contact Erik Wade, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist, at erik.wade@maine.gov.

Educators Invited to ‘Counted Out’ Film Screenings and Guided Dinner Discussions Across Maine

This October, the Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Maine (ATOMIM) and the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA), invites educators and school leaders to a series of free, in-person events across the state to watch the film “Counted Out” and participate in a dine-and-discuss event with fellow educators.

These engaging evenings include a screening of the award-winning documentary “Counted Out,” a casual meal, and guided small-group discussions. Together, participants will reflect on how math instruction can either empower or exclude—and how we can make math education more inclusive, relevant, and equitable for all Maine learners.

About the Film

“Counted Out” explores the biggest crises of our time—political polarization, racial and economic inequity, public health, and climate change—through an unexpected lens: math. The film challenges educators to consider how math can be both a gatekeeper and a gateway, and how rethinking its role in society can lead to transformational change in education and beyond.

Event Details

  • Dates/Locations:
    • October 7: Deer Isle, Freeport, North Berwick
    • October 8: Gardiner
    • October 9: Brewer, Caribou, South Paris, Thorndike
  • Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Audience: Maine educators and school leaders
  • Contact Hours: 3 hours awarded
  • Cost: FREE (includes dinner)
  • Registration Deadline: September 30, 2025

An RSVP is required! Space is limited at each site, so please register using the links below.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

  • Deer Isle/Hancock and Washington Counties
    REACH Performing Arts Center, Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School
    249 North Deer Isle Road, Deer Isle, ME 04627
    • Contact: Justine Appel at justineappel@atomim.org
    • RSVP here.
  • Freeport/Cumberland County
    Freeport Performing Arts Center
    30 Holbrook Street, Freeport, ME 04032
    • Contact: Beth Hayden at bethayden@atomim.org
    • RSVP here.
  • North Berwick/York County
    Noble High School
    100 Noble Way, North Berwick, ME 03906
    • Contact: Amanda McIntire at amanda.mcintire@atomim.org
    • RSVP here.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

  • Gardiner/Kennebec County
    Gardiner Area High School
    40 West Hill Road, Gardiner, ME 04345
    • Contact: Stephanie Houdlette at shoudlette@msad11.org
    • RSVP here.

Thursday, October 9, 2025

  • Caribou/Aroostook County
    Caribou Performing Arts Center, Caribou High School
    308 Sweden Street, Caribou, ME 04736
    • Contact: Perrin Chick at pchick@mmsa.org
    • RSVP here.
  • Brewer/Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties
    Brewer Performing Arts Center
    92 Pendleton Street, Brewer, ME 04412
  • Thorndike/Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties
    Mount View Complex
    577 Mount View Road, Thorndike, ME 04986
    • Contact: Glen Widmer at glenwidmer@atomim.org
    • RSVP here.
  • South Paris/Oxford, Androscoggin, Franklin, and Somerset Counties
    Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Auditorium
    256 Main Street, South Paris, ME 04281
    • Contact: Courtney Pierce at courtney.pierce@atomim.org
    • RSVP here.

Why Attend?

  • Explore how math connects to social justice, civic engagement, and real-world problem solving.
  • Discuss how to reduce math anxiety and promote mathematical confidence.
  • Connect with other educators and leaders across regions.
  • Walk away with actionable ideas for reimagining math instruction.

Registration is open now through September 30! Each event is limited in size, and seats are filling fast. Secure your spot today and join this statewide conversation about math, equity, and educational transformation.

Stay connected with the Maine Department of Education! Sign up to receive our weekly Maine DOE Update—featuring all the latest announcements and newsroom articles—as well as several content-focused newsletters tailored to your interests. Already subscribed? No problem! The system will recognize your information and let you update your subscription preferences: Subscribe here.

Statewide Professional Learning Experience: EngageMEnt – Cultivating Innovative Teaching and Learning

Maine educators, you are invited to a statewide professional learning experience hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE)!

Mark your calendars! The Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning and Office of Innovation are excited to invite all educators, ed techs, administrators, and pre-service educators to three full days of free, high-quality professional development in the 2025-2026 school year.

In partnership with the University of Maine System, this statewide professional learning initiative is made possible through a valued collaboration with the University of Maine at Orono (UMaine), the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), and the University of Southern Maine (USM). We are grateful to these institutions for opening their doors to educators across the state. Their partnership ensures that our shared commitment to accessible, high-quality, and regionally grounded professional learning is available to every educator, whether attending in person or joining online.

No matter your role in public education—whether you’re an early childhood educator, a STEM enthusiast, a literacy coach, a pre-service teacher, or someone looking to deepen their practice in inclusive education—there’s something for you. These engaging workshops are crafted by Maine DOE staff and designed to inspire, energize, and equip you with tools to meet the needs of today’s learners.

2025-2026 Statewide Professional Learning Dates:

  • Friday, October 10, 2025
  • Friday, January 16, 2026
  • Friday, March 20, 2026

You can attend in-person at one of the University of Maine System campuses (UMaine, UMF, USM) or join remotely via live stream from anywhere in the state. There is also an option to catch up on-demand after the fact. All participants will be eligible for contact hours.

These learning days are scheduled to align with many school administrative unit’s’ dedicated professional development days. You can register for all three events or just one or two.

Each day is structured as follows:

  • Morning Workshop: 9-11:30 a.m.
  • Lunch Break: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (on your own)
  • Afternoon Workshop: 12:30-–3 p.m.

Planning to join us on campus? Each session offers an interactive, in-person experience, with just 50 seats available per workshop session. Registration is required, so please be sure to reserve your spot early to participate onsite. Prefer to learn from your own space? The online option offers unlimited registration, and you can join live from anywhere in the state! Can’t attend live? Don’t worry; asynchronous recordings will be available, so you can access content when it works for you.

Topics include:

  • Play-based and early childhood assessment
  • Wabanaki Studies integration
  • STEAM and numeracy
  • Literacy through graphic novels
  • UDL (Universal Design for Learning) and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) frameworks
  • Supporting multilingual learners
  • Technology integration
  • Environmental education
  • And more!

Ready to learn more or register? Check out the full list of workshops and campus offerings on this event flyer. Secure your spot by registering here today.

Let’s grow together! Come as you are. Learn in the ways that work for you. Connect with educators from across the state in a welcoming space that prioritizes equity, innovation, and real-world learning.

For questions or more information, please contact Beth Lambert, Maine DOE Chief Teaching and Learning Officer, at beth.lambert@maine.gov.

Maine DOE to Host Retro Report Professional Development Day for History and Civics Educators

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is partnering with Retro Report to host a unique day of professional development for educators on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Augusta.

This event will showcase a new resource collection funded in part by a Teaching with Primary Sources grant from the Library of Congress. This collection features 25 short films spanning post-Reconstruction U.S. history, each paired with a curated primary source pack and scaffolded writing outlines to support diverse learners.

Designed especially for middle and high school teachers of U.S. history and civics/government, as well as educators supporting special education students in these courses, the training promises practical classroom resources and collaborative learning opportunities.

Participants will receive a $150 stipend (upon completion of the post-professional development survey), as well as coffee and a catered lunch. Attendees are encouraged to bring a charged laptop and an eagerness to engage with high-quality instructional materials.

Registration is limited to the first 25 educators who sign up. Please register here.

For further information or questions, please contact Beth Lambert, Maine DOE Chief Teaching and Learning Officer, at beth.lambert@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Seeking Educators to Develop the Next Round of MOOSE Modules

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is currently seeking educators to develop interdisciplinary MOOSE Modules that will align with and provide real-world context for Maine Learning Results standards and existing Maine DOE resources.

Maine’s Online Open-Source Education (MOOSE) platform provides free, interdisciplinary, project-based learning materials created by Maine teachers for Maine pre-K through grade 12 students. The Maine DOE is constantly expanding MOOSE content to meet educator needs and provide resources that highlight ongoing and emerging initiatives of the Maine DOE.

The Maine DOE is seeking a variety of Maine educators (e.g., teachers, curriculum leaders, museum educators, librarians, etc.) to develop educational material for the MOOSE platform. Applicants must be available for weekly meetings and able to dedicate 3-6 hours outside of those meetings to creating materials. Interdisciplinary cohorts will be formed for educators around topics that span across the preK-12 spectrum. Within cohorts, smaller teams will create modules between September 15 and January 23 under the guidance of the MOOSE Specialists.

If you are interested in applying but still have questions, please contact Maine DOE MOOSE Project Supervisor Jennifer Page (jennifer.page@maine.gov). The MOOSE Team will hold a recorded information session on Monday, August 25, at 4 p.m. The recording will be directly mailed to all registrants and will be posted on the Maine DOE website. Registration can be found here.

Applications can be found here and are due by Monday, September 1. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance for the program by Wednesday, September 3, and will attend their first meeting on Monday, September 15. Compensation for a fully developed, approved, and published module by January 23, 2026, is $3,000, with no partial or late payments available.

For further questions and information, please contact Maine DOE MOOSE Project Supervisor Jennifer Page at jennifer.page@maine.gov.

Seeking Educators to Pilot MOOSE Modules and Wabanaki Studies Educator Guides

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is currently seeking educators to pilot MOOSE Modules and Wabanaki Studies Educator Guides with their classrooms this fall.

Maine’s Online Open-Source Education (MOOSE) platform provides free, interdisciplinary, project-based learning materials, created by Maine teachers, for Maine preK-12 students. Feedback on the modules themselves and their usability is vitally important, as we are constantly improving existing modules and applying lessons learned to new creations. In addition to the modules themselves, extensive Wabanaki Studies Educator Guides have been developed and are ready to be piloted for feedback. Educators may apply to pilot any combination of modules and/or educator guides in their classroom.

The Maine DOE is now seeking educators interested in using these materials in their classroom with five (5) or more students and providing feedback about the experience. Educators must choose their own module(s)/guide(s) to pilot and justify their decision in their application. Stipends will be provided for feedback on up to two modules and/or guides ($500 per module/guide) that have been piloted, with additional funds provided for deidentified student work and/or reflections ($50 each per module/guide). All required elements must be completed by January 23, 2026.

If you are interested in applying but still have questions, please contact MOOSE Project Manager Jennifer Page (jennifer.page@maine.gov) and/or Wabanaki Studies Specialist Brianne Lolar (brianne.lolar@maine.gov). The MOOSE Team will hold a recorded information session on Tuesday, August 26th, at 4 p.m. The recording will be directly mailed to all registrants and posted on the Maine DOE website. Registration can be found here.

If you are ready to apply, you can find applications here. Applications for the Fall 2025 session are due by Monday, September 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance for the program by Friday, September 5, 2025, and modules/guides may be piloted any time after Monday, September 15, 2025.

For further information or questions, please contact Maine DOE MOOSE Project Manager Jennifer Page at jennifer.page@maine.gov and/or Maine DOE Wabanaki Studies Specialist Brianne Lolar at brianne.lolar@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Hosts Summer Institutes on Integrating Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum

From July 14-16, 2025, educators from across Maine gathered on the coast for an immersive professional learning experience, designed to reimagine how literacy and numeracy are taught—not as isolated subjects but as essential, interconnected tools for deep learning across the curriculum.

Hosted at the College of the Atlantic by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning, the Integrating Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum Summer Institutes brought together educators to explore authentic, interdisciplinary approaches to instruction. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in hands-on learning, heard from nationally recognized education experts, and collaborated to design lessons that they will bring back to their classrooms this fall.

Importantly, the work that began during these institutes won’t end there. The lessons created by participants are set to grow into new, high-quality MOOSE (Maine Online Open-Source Education) modules—ensuring that educators across the state will have access to innovative, standards-aligned resources that reflect Maine’s commitment to equity, relevance, and inclusive design.

“These institutes reflect the future that we’re building together—a future where all students engage in real-world, integrated learning experiences that build their confidence and competence,” Beth Lambert, Chief Teaching and Learning Officer at the Maine DOE, said. “We’re not just learning about interdisciplinary teaching; we’re doing it, modeling it, and scaling it.”

These institutes were a collaborative effort among several offices and initiatives within the Maine DOE, showcasing a whole-agency approach to supporting educators. Teams from Multilingual Learning, Multitiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Interdisciplinary Instruction, MOOSE, and the Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education co-developed and facilitated learning experiences that supported educators in designing instruction that is inclusive, culturally responsive, and accessible to all learners.

National thought leaders enriched the experience with big-picture framing and practical strategies. Mara Krechevsky, senior researcher at Harvard Project Zero, led sessions on making student thinking visible and cultivating rich documentation of learning. Tom Murray, Director of Innovation for Future Ready Schools, offered insight into creating learner-centered environments that prioritize relevance and connection. Educators also heard from Dr. Julie Meltzer, a national expert on the Solutionary framework, who helped participants consider how to design lessons where students investigate real-world problems and take action through informed, ethical, and systems-aware projects.

Educators who participated in the institutes left energized and equipped with ideas and tangible resources to bring back to their schools.

“By integrating literacy and numeracy into everything we teach, we’re creating the conditions for deeper learning and stronger transfer,” Lambert added. “This isn’t just about content; it’s about designing learning experiences that are meaningful, coherent, and reflective of the real world.”

That vision resonated with educators across the state, who left the institutes inspired, energized, and ready to bring what they learned back to their students.

“I absolutely loved everything! It was so engaging, and I felt that the work was purposeful and intentional. Everything went together,” Amber Wileschamberlain, a third-grade teacher at Sebasticook Valley Elementary School, said. “I also love that I will leave this conference with something to use in my classroom that implements the ideas and knowledge.”

 “You all have done a great job putting together a program that is both helpful and thought-provoking. It helps juice me up as an educator,” Colin Hickey, an English teacher at Messalonskee High School, shared with the Maine DOE.

“The presenters are amazing, and the Maine DOE reps are so knowledgeable, available, and easy to talk to,” MaryAnn Wheeler, a Reading and Math Interventionist at Mountain View School, added.

These institutes are part of a broader movement in Maine to rethink how core skills like literacy and numeracy are taught across grade spans and subject areas. The Maine DOE’s forthcoming Literacy and Numeracy Action Plans will further support this vision by providing a strategic, statewide approach to building foundational skills in ways that are developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and connected.

“This was one of the most powerful learning experiences I’ve had as an educator,” one participant shared. “I’m leaving with not only new ideas but with something I can use—a lesson I created that I believe in.”

The 2025 Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institutes are funded through Title II/Title IV state reservation funds. For more information or with questions, please contact Maine DOE Chief of Teaching and Learning Officer Beth Lambert at beth.lambert@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.

Carl J. Lamb Elementary Students Get a Sweet Lesson in Science, Math, and New England Tradition

Students at Carl J. Lamb Elementary School in Springvale have had a sweet lesson in science, math, and New England tradition, thanks to a school-wide maple sugaring project.

This initiative transformed playground maple trees into educational tools, as children collected sap, tracked data, and ultimately created their own maple syrup in a unique cross-curricular learning experience.

“We have to check the buckets to make sure the sap is going up every time,” second-grader Morrigan Duggan explained. “The temperature needs to be above freezing for the sap to come out.”

This project, years in the making, is the brainchild of teachers Kim Minchin and Robert Rothwell (also known as “Mr. Bob”), who have transformed a New England tradition into a comprehensive learning opportunity for the entire school.

“We’ve been talking about doing this for probably four or five years,” Minchin shared. “This was the year we decided to go whole-school because a lot of our students don’t get to experience maple syrup weekend, where you go to farms and see the process.”

What makes this project particularly valuable is how it integrates multiple subjects. Students learn across disciplines – geography, math, science, and literacy – all through the authentic context of maple syrup production.

In math classes, students track the gallons of sap collected daily. Fourth-graders work on converting measurements (gallons to cups, pints, and quarts), while second-graders calculate temperature differences to understand how weather affects sap flow.

“I have a little more flexibility in math,” Minchin said. “We can still work on what they’re learning in the classroom but use the context of maple syrup and sap collection to make it meaningful.”

The maple sugaring process begins with identifying and tapping maple trees on school grounds. Though the playground features red maples rather than sugar maples, they still produce sap. Mr. Bob has also tapped about 14 sugar maple trees at the Spring Road library to ensure enough sap for production.

Students are involved in every step – from drilling holes and inserting taps to collecting sap daily and measuring volumes. They learn that it takes approximately 40 gallons of sap to produce just one gallon of maple syrup—a ratio that amazes even adults.

“It looked like water,” second-grader Thomas Lapointe recalled of the first sap collection, “but, when we tried to taste it, it was a little bit sugary.”

Beyond academics, this initiative builds community and life skills. Students work together, communicating and problem-solving as they carefully collect and measure the sap.

“There’s a lot of teamwork,” Mr. Bob said. “They have to communicate and plan together.”

For many students, especially those who struggle in traditional classroom settings, the hands-on nature of this project provides a confidence boost.

“Our students don’t always feel like they have that success,” Minchin noted. “So, to be able to have the floor and teach others about something they’ve experienced firsthand – it’s pretty uplifting for their confidence.”

This story was submitted by Carl J. Lamb Elementary School. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

Applications Open for 2025 Maine DOE Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institutes

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning invites educators across Maine to apply for the 2025 Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institutes. These three-day, in-person professional learning experiences will occur from July 14–16, 2025, at the College of the Atlantic (COA) in Bar Harbor. Applications will close on May 27.

Designed for public school teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, and specialists across all grade levels and content areas, these immersive and hands-on institutes will bring together educators committed to strengthening interdisciplinary approaches to literacy or numeracy. Each participant will engage in deep content learning, hands-on collaboration, and the design of practical, real-world instructional experiences.

Participants will engage with local learning environments, including community gardens, the iconic Beatrix Farrand Gardens, the Dorr Museum of Natural History, Allied Whale, COA’s greenhouses and learning labs, the intertidal zone, and the vibrant community of Bar Harbor. They will explore high-impact instructional practices, investigate ways to connect content to students’ lives and communities, and help advance a statewide effort to promote meaningful, integrated learning across Maine classrooms.

Expectations of Participants
Educators selected to participate in the institute will:

  • Attend the full three-day in-person experience.
  • Collaborate with fellow educators to deepen their understanding of evidence-informed interdisciplinary literacy or numeracy practices.
  • Create a high-quality learning task that reflects real-world application of literacy or numeracy concepts and meets the criteria to be made available on MOOSE (Maine Online Opportunities for Sustained Education).
  • Have the opportunity to pilot the task during the 2025–2026 school year, providing feedback and contributing to shared statewide resources.

Participants will receive a stipend of $400 for successfully completing and posting the learning task, with an additional stipend available for those who choose to pilot the task and submit classroom feedback and instructional resources.

Logistics and Support
The Maine DOE will provide lodging and meals for all participants, and mileage reimbursement is available for attendees traveling more than 50 miles one way.

Apply Now
Applications are open now and will close on Monday, May 27, at 5 p.m. All applicants will be notified by Monday, June 2. Space is limited, and the Maine DOE will work to ensure that selected participants represent a diverse range of grade levels, geographic regions, and content areas from across the state.

Please use this link to apply.

The 2025 Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institutes are funded through Title II/Title IV state reservation funds. For more information or with questions, please contact Maine DOE Chief of Teaching and Learning Officer Beth Lambert at beth.lambert@maine.gov.