Last week, Maine DOE Chief Academic Officer Rachelle Tome and I had the honor of visiting two Lewiston elementary schools undergoing transformation thanks to support from our Department and the federally-funded Title I School Improvement Grant program (SIG). To say I was impressed by what I saw at Longley and Montello would be an understatement. Continue reading “Through collaboration, teachers, students better supported”
Category: Instruction
Janet Ventrella named 2013 Maine History Teacher of the Year
Janet Ventrella, a teacher at Livermore Elementary School in Livermore, has been named the 2013 Maine History Teacher of the Year. The award is co-sponsored by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, HISTORY® and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation on behalf of its Preserve America program. Continue reading “Janet Ventrella named 2013 Maine History Teacher of the Year”
Maine’s History Teacher of the Year nominations due Feb. 1
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Preserve America and the History Channel annually recognize outstanding American history teachers at the state and national levels. Nominees may be any full-time educators of grades K-12 who teach American history (as a separate subject or through social studies, reading, language arts and other subjects). State winners receive a $1,000 prize and an archive of classroom resources. One national winner receives a $10,000 prize. Continue reading “Maine’s History Teacher of the Year nominations due Feb. 1”
Final review of national arts standards
The National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS) has scheduled a final public review of the draft PreK-12 arts standards in dance, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts. Continue reading “Final review of national arts standards”
Two Maine educators Presidential Award winners
A kindergarten teacher from Cushing and fifth-grade math teacher from Yarmouth are Maine’s recipients of the prestigious 2012 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Continue reading “Two Maine educators Presidential Award winners”
Governor LePage, Acting Commissioner Rier recognize Computer Science Education Week
The awareness initiative will involve thousands of Maine students, trying their hand at computer programming and competing in robotics competitions
AUGUSTA – Maine Governor Paul R. LePage and Acting Education Commissioner Jim Rier are recognizing the important role computer science has in the state’s classrooms and growing economy.
Maine schools make EdWeek innovation list
Maine schools have long been looked to as national leaders in education innovation.
That’s why I am not surprised that Education Week recently named three of our state’s schools to a list of those across the country worth visiting. Continue reading “Maine schools make EdWeek innovation list”
Thankful for great teachers and leaders
Last Friday, I had the privilege of attending the annual Teacher of the Year banquet, hosted at Unum’s Portland campus.
It was exciting to see the education and business communities come together to celebrate these champions for children. As Acting Education Commissioner, I hope to facilitate us working together more to ensure we are best serving our students and our great State. Continue reading “Thankful for great teachers and leaders”
Assessing the Guiding Principles
As part of its work to support schools in their awarding of proficiency-based diplomas, the Maine DOE is developing sample performance assessments of Maine’s Guiding Principles. The goal of this work is to create a repository of performance assessments that provide student demonstrations of proficiency across a variety of content areas.
Maine STEM Council names inaugural executive director
Dr. Thomas E. Keller has recently been appointed executive director of the Maine STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Council. The council was established by the Legislature in 2011 to “develop strategies for enhancing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education from prekindergarten through postsecondary education.” The council mandate also includes linking these STEM education strategies to those for workforce development in STEM fields.
Continue reading “Maine STEM Council names inaugural executive director”
Maine DOE Newsroom 