Maine DOE Launches Free Virtual Literacy Learning Series

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Offices of Teaching and Learning and Special Services and Inclusive Education invite educators and education professionals—including teachers, administrators, literacy specialists, and educational technicians—to participate in a free virtual literacy professional learning series during the 2026–2027 school year.

Designed to provide flexible, connected learning opportunities, the series allows participants to choose a professional learning path based on their grade span, interests, and learning goals.

Choose Your Literacy Learning Path

In November of 2026, and January and March of 2027, participants can engage in three connected literacy learning opportunities. Each month will focus on a different aspect of literacy instruction, with sessions tailored to three grade spans: Prek through grade 3, upper elementary and middle school, and high school.

Participants may choose from two learning pathways:

Explore Across Grade Spans and Topics: Register for all nine sessions to engage in nine hours of literacy professional learning across multiple grade spans and topics.
Deepen Learning Within a Grade Span: Follow one grade-span strand across the three sessions for a total of three hours of literacy professional learning, building knowledge and connections across the series.

Educators may also register for individual sessions based on their interests and professional learning needs. Contact hours will be awarded based on the number of sessions attended.

Whether educators are looking to broaden their understanding of literacy instruction or deepen their practice within a specific grade span, the series offers opportunities to learn, reflect, and connect evidence-based literacy practices to classroom instruction.

Registration

Session descriptions, dates, and registration links are provided below. Participants must register separately for each session they plan to attend.

November – Vocabulary & Morphology

Vocabulary & Word Study for Young Learners (PreK-3)
November 5, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Dee Saucier, Maine DOE Inclusive Education Literacy Specialist & Dyslexia Coordinator

In session 1, participants will explore several explicit word study opportunities, such as vocabulary routines, word play, phonics, word analysis, and varied word sorts, to strengthen reading and language skills in young learners.

Register Here

Cracking the Code: Words in Upper Elementary & Middle School
November 12, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Heather Martin, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Explore how understanding meaningful word parts—prefixes, suffixes, roots, and base words—can help students unlock vocabulary, make connections across disciplines, and become more confident readers and learners.

Register Here

Cracking the Code: Words in High School
November 19, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Cee Belolan, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Examine how morphology supports increasingly complex vocabulary, disciplinary language, and comprehension, with strategies for helping students analyze and apply word structures across academic disciplines.

Register Here

January – Vocabulary, Background Knowledge, & Verbal Reasoning

Oral Language to Build Vocabulary & Background Knowledge in Young Learners (PreK-3)
January 7, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Dee Saucier, Maine DOE Inclusive Education Literacy Specialist & Dyslexia Coordinator

In session 2, participants will explore the critical importance of oral language in a comprehensive literacy program and consider how rich oral language opportunities can support explicit vocabulary instruction and the developement of background knowledge.

Register Here

Say it Like You Mean It: Disciplinary Discourse and the language of learning in Upper Elementary & Middle School
January 14, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Heather Martin, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Explore how students can use the language of different disciplines to explain ideas, ask questions, build on others’ thinking, and communicate their understanding through purposeful speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Register Here

Say it Like You Mean It: Disciplinary Discourse and the language of learning in High School
January 21, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Cee Belolan, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Examine how disciplinary discourse helps students engage in academic conversations, construct and defend ideas, and communicate using the language, evidence, and conventions of different fields.

Register Here

March – Verbal Reasoning, Literacy Knowledge, and Language Structures

Say Language Structures & Verbal Reasoning to Develop Critical Thinking for Young Learners (PreK-3)
March 4, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Dee Saucier, Maine DOE Inclusive Education Literacy Specialist & Dyslexia Coordinator

In session 3, participants will explore the remaining language comprehension strands of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, with a focus on language structures, verbal reasoning, and building deeper understanding for young learners.

Register Here

Text Complexity & Critical Thinking in Upper Elementary & Middle School
March 11, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Heather Martin, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Explore how increasingly complex texts challenge students to make connections, draw inferences, and build deeper understanding, with strategies to help students navigate challenging texts while maintaining rigorous thinking demands.

Register Here

Text Complexity & Critical Thinking in High School
March 18, 2027, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Cee Belolan, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist

Explore how increasingly complex texts create opportunities for more sophisticated thinking and examine how students can analyze, interpret, evaluate, and question complex ideas in disciplinary texts.

Register Here

We hope you will join us in strengthening literacy instruction and supporting Maine students as readers, writers, and thinkers.

If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Bertini, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Team Coordinator, at Kathy.bertini@maine.gov or Dee Saucier, Maine DOE Inclusive Education Literacy Specialist & Dyslexia Coordinator, at danielle.m.saucier@maine.gov.

Educators Invited to Attend Fall Launch Events for Maine’s Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks

A new chapter in Maine’s literacy and numeracy journey begins with action, collaboration, and celebration.

Maine administrators, educators, coaches, and community partners are invited to celebrate a major milestone in advancing teaching and learning statewide at the Maine Department of Education (DOE) fall launch events for the Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks, an initiative focused on turning vision into action for schools across the state. These interactive events will focus on turning Maine’s statewide vision into action in schools and communities.

Maine’s Literacy and Numeracy Fall Launch events will take place at the following locations:

University of Maine in Orono on September 15 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
University of Southern Maine on September 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias on September 25 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
University of Maine Farmington on September 28 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

As Maine continues to implement its statewide Literacy and Numeracy Action Plans, educators have identified a need for practical, accessible tools to support that work. The newly developed playbooks serve as companion resources that translate strategy into practice by offering actionable tools, real-world examples, and tiered guidance to support educators, school administrative unit (SAU) teams, and school leaders as they move from planning to implementation.

Developed through a collaborative and inclusive process with input from educators across the state, the playbooks reflect a shared commitment to practices grounded in evidence and continuous improvement. Designed for flexible use, they can support SAU planning, strengthen classroom instruction, and help align local systems with statewide action plans.

Participants will take part in a highly interactive and collaborative experience designed to bring the playbooks to life. Each launch event will include:

Opportunities to explore the Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks in depth
Interactive exploration of the Genially resource, with content aligned to participants’ roles and supports featured in the playbooks
Time to collaborate with educators and partners from across Maine
Dedicated planning time to identify actionable next steps for the school year
A preview of resources and ongoing available after the launch.

Please review the registration information carefully before selecting a location. Space is limited and participants will not be able to change locations after registering.

University of Maine in Orono on September 15 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Space is limited to 50 literacy and 50 numeracy participants. Early registration is encouraged. Register here.
University of Southern Maine in Portland on September 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Space is limited to 50 literacy and 50 numeracy participants. Parking costs $9.00. Early registration is encouraged. Register here.
Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias on September 25 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Space is limited to 20 literacy and 20 numeracy participants. Early registration is encouraged. Register here.
University of Maine Farmington on September 28 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Space is limited to 40 literacy and 40 numeracy participants. Early registration is encouraged. Register here.

By creating space for connection, exploration, and planning, the fall launches underscore Maine’s commitment to ensuring that all educators have the tools and support they need to advance literacy and numeracy for every student.

If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Bertini, Interdisciplinary Instruction Team Coordinator, at Kathy.bertini@maine.gov

Maine Educators Explore Literacy and Numeracy at the Maine DOE Summer Learning Institute

Maine educators from schools serving students pK-12 and higher education institutions gathered at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor from June 29 through July 1 for the 2026 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Summer Learning Institute, The Science of Learning: Developing Literate and Numerate Minds. The three-day institute connected research with practical strategies that educators can use to strengthen learning across grade levels and disciplines.

Keynote presentations by national and internationally acclaimed educational experts Vanessa Vakharia, Jessica Fries-Gaither, and Molly Ness highlighted connections among literacy, numeracy, and interdisciplinary learning through a shared focus on confidence, engagement, and authentic application.

Literacy workshops provided educators with research-informed strategies for strengthening literacy instruction and student learning. Sessions explored purposeful play, foundational reading instruction, tiered supports, dyslexia, strategies for supporting striving and reluctant readers, multilingual learners, vocabulary development, comprehension, literacy dispositions, civic literacy, and student engagement. Together, the workshops emphasized building confident readers and using relevant, interdisciplinary experiences to deepen understanding.

Numeracy workshops focused on moving mathematics beyond isolated procedures and helping students develop confidence, curiosity, and positive mathematical identities. Through hands-on activities, games, inquiry, career connections, data visualization through art, and outdoor learning, educators explored strategies to build fluency and help students use mathematics to solve authentic problems and make sense of real-world experiences.

The institute concluded with Brian Lescord, Maine DOE Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) specialist, sharing strategies for measuring implementation fidelity. Throughout the institute, networking and coaching sessions gave participants time to consult with presenters, collaborate with colleagues, reflect on their learning, and begin planning how to apply their learning in classroom and schools.

Educators at the Maine DOE Summer Learning institute.

The feedback from educators who attended was overwhelmingly positive. Participants reported substantial growth in their understanding of core concepts, and 86% said the institute markedly increased their confidence in both understanding and applying what they learned. In addition, 89% said the material presented was “directly relevant” to their teaching practice, and 100% reported being satisfaction with the institute overall.

Lisa Skiff, a third-grade teacher said, “I came home with a plethora of resources that won’t just sit on the shelf – they’ll be put into practice every day in my classroom.

For more information about the Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institute, contact any of the following members of the Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Team: Heather Martin at heather.martin@maine.gov, Michele Mailhot at michele.r.mailhot@maine.gov, or Kathy Bertini at kathy.bertini@maine.gov.

Title II funds provided by the U.S. Department of Education support the implementation of this project. The project has a total award of $156,494, 52% of which is federally funded and directly supports project implementation. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, or an endorsement by, the U.S. Department of Education or the U.S. government.

Maine DOE Invites Applications for Screener Review and Recommendation Project

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking applicants for the Screener Review and Recommendation Project, a statewide professional learning initiative focused on strengthening regional expertise in early literacy assessment and supporting consistent, evidence-based screening practices across Maine schools.

The project supports implementation of Maine’s Dyslexia screening statute (Title 20-A, §4710-B), which requires all students in kindergarten through grade 2 to be screened in key early literacy skill areas.

Through this initiative, the Maine DOE will convene up to 25 educators and stakeholders representing Maine’s nine superintendent regions to deepen knowledge of literacy screening components, evaluate screening tools using research-based criteria, and help develop statewide guidance and professional learning resources. Participants may include teachers, literacy specialists, administrators, and caregiver representatives from public, charter, and approved private schools.

In-person sessions will be held on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in Augusta from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Project participants will:

Examine literacy screening tools and implementation practices;
Co-develop evaluation rubrics and guidance resources aligned with Maine’s Dyslexia screening statute;
Facilitate at least one regional professional learning session; and
Contribute to statewide screener guidance materials to be published on the Maine DOE Literacy Hub.

Participants who complete all project deliverables will receive a $400 honorarium.

The Maine DOE will review applications to ensure representation across Maine’s nine superintendent regions and a balance of rural and urban perspectives.

This initiative supports the Maine DOE’s priority of strengthening curriculum, instruction, and assessment systems while advancing equitable early literacy outcomes for all students.

To apply for the Screener Review and Recommendation Project, please complete the application here by June 19, 2026.

For more information, contact Danielle Saucier, Maine DOE Inclusive Education Literacy Specialist and Dyslexia Coordinator, at danielle.m.saucier@maine.gov.

Title II-A funds received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $15,090.00, of which 100% is federally funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ED or the U.S. Government.

Maine DOE Launches Interactive Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks to Support Educators Across Maine

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the University of Maine, officially launched Maine’s new interactive Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks during a statewide event held at the University of Maine’s Wells Conference Center in Orono on May 19, 2026. The Playbooks were developed as companion resources to the Maine State Literacy Action Plan and Maine State Numeracy Action Plan, announced last fall. They are designed to support schools and educators in translating a statewide vision for literacy and numeracy into meaningful classroom practice at the local level.

The launch event brought together educators, school and school administrative unit (SAU) leaders, higher education partners, and statewide collaborators to celebrate the culmination of collaborative planning, professional learning, and implementation work focused on strengthening literacy and numeracy learning across Maine. Justin Dimmel, Associate Dean for Academics and Student Engagement in the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development, provided welcome remarks, and closing remarks were delivered by University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy.

The day included interactive and hands-on Playbooks exploration sessions, a digital scavenger hunt, collaborative reflection and planning opportunities, and whole-group discussions focused on supporting meaningful literacy and numeracy implementation in Maine schools. Attendees had opportunities to engage with the interactive Playbooks, explore embedded resources, and connect with colleagues and partners from across the state. They were also introduced to “PIP,” the Playbook Integration Partner, a puffin-themed navigation and support feature embedded throughout the interactive platform to help users locate resources and move through the playbooks with ease.

“We have been hatching new possibilities for what literacy and numeracy can look like in Maine,” Beth Lambert, Maine DOE Chief Teaching and Learning Officer, said during opening remarks at the event. “This work has never been about creating documents to sit on a shelf. It has been about building coherent systems of support that help educators create meaningful, engaging learning experiences for all students.”

The Playbooks provide educators and school systems with practical implementation tools, research-based instructional strategies, professional learning resources, interdisciplinary connections, and navigation supports designed to make the resources accessible and usable. They were developed through extensive collaboration and feedback from educators and partners across Maine, including the Literacy and Numeracy Advisory Councils, the Maine Math Collaborative, representatives from higher education, and cross-office Maine DOE teams. A significant portion of the Playbook design, revision, and interactive platform development was led by the Maine DOE’s Interdisciplinary Instruction and Learning Through Technology teams, including Kathy Bertini, Emma Banks, Erik Wade, Heather Martin, and Michele Mailhot.

The launch event highlighted the Maine DOE’s broader statewide efforts to align funding, initiatives, and professional learning opportunities to the goals outlined in the Action Plans. Over the past year, the Maine DOE has expanded statewide professional learning aligned to the Action Plans through interdisciplinary literacy workshops, a numeracy learning series, statewide mathematics communities of practice, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) integration cohorts, literacy modules, and place-based learning opportunities designed to support meaningful, research-based instruction across grade spans and content areas.

The Maine DOE partnered closely with the University of Maine throughout the development and launch process of the Playbooks. Special thanks go to Justin Dimmel, Mia Morrison, and the broader University of Maine team for their collaboration and support in hosting the statewide launch event.

The Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks reflect the Maine DOE’s ongoing commitment to interdisciplinary learning, supporting educators, and ensuring all learners have access to high-quality literacy and numeracy experiences that are meaningful, relevant, and connected to the world around them.

To learn more about Maine’s statewide literacy and numeracy initiatives, visit the Maine DOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning website.

Maine Educators Invited to Join Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks Launch Event

A new chapter in Maine’s literacy and numeracy journey is set to begin with action, collaboration, and celebration.

Maine administrators, educators, coaches, and community partners are invited to mark a major milestone in advancing teaching and learning statewide: the launch of the Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks, an initiative designed to turn vision into action for schools across Maine. The event will take place on May 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wells Conference Center at the University of Maine at Orono. The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is hosting this event in collaboration with the University of Maine.

As Maine continues to implement its statewide Literacy and Numeracy Action Plans, the need for practical, accessible tools has been clear. The newly developed Playbooks serve as companion resources that translate strategy into practice, offering actionable tools, real-world examples, and tiered guidance to support educators, school administrative unit (SAU) teams, and school leaders.

Developed through a collaborative process with input from practitioners across the state, the Playbooks reflect a shared commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement. Designed for flexibility, they support SAU planning, intend to strengthen classroom instruction, and align local efforts with statewide priorities.

Participants at the launch will engage in an interactive day designed to bring the Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks to life. The event will include:

Opportunities to explore the Playbooks in depth.
Interactive engagement with the Genially tool aligned to roles and supports within the Playbooks.
Time to collaborate with educators and partners from across Maine.
Time to identify actionable next steps for the upcoming school year.

Space is limited to 50 literacy and 50 numeracy participants. Lunch will be provided. Those interested are encouraged to register as soon as possible using this link.

By creating space for connection, exploration, and planning, this event reflects Maine’s ongoing commitment to ensuring all educators have the tools and support needed to advance literacy and numeracy for every student.

With questions, please contact Kathy Bertini, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Team Coordinator, at kathy.bertini@maine.gov.

Applications Open for 2026 Maine DOE Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institute

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning invites educators from across the state to apply for the 2026 Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institute, entitled “The Science of Learning: Building Literate & Numerate Minds.” This three-day, in-person professional learning experience will take place June 29–July 1 at the College of the Atlantic (COA) in Bar Harbor. Applications close May 6.

Designed for public school teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, and specialists across all grade levels and content areas, this immersive institute brings together educators committed to strengthening interdisciplinary approaches to literacy and numeracy. Participants will engage in deep content learning, collaborative inquiry, and the design of practical, classroom-ready instructional experiences.

Participants will learn within and from local 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 broader Bar Harbor community. Through these experiences, educators will explore high-impact instructional practices, examine ways to connect content to students’ lives and communities, and contribute to a statewide effort to advance meaningful, integrated learning across Maine classrooms.

Expectations of Participants

Educators selected for the institute will:

Attend the full three-day, in-person experience
Engage in keynote sessions and interactive workshops led by experts in literacy and numeracy education
Collaborate with peers to deepen their understanding of evidence-informed, interdisciplinary literacy and numeracy practices

Apply Now

Applications are open until May 6 at 5:00 p.m. All applicants will be notified by Thursday, May 14. Space is limited, and the Maine DOE will prioritize a cohort representing a diverse range of grade levels, geographic regions, and content areas across the state.

Please use this link to apply.

For more information or questions, please contact Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist Heather Martin at heather.martin@maine.gov.

Title II funds received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling 156,494.00, of which 52% is federally funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ED or the U.S. government.

Bonny Eagle Builds Community Through Shared Reading Experience

This February, schools across MSAD 6 (Bonny Eagle School District) took a creative, community-centered approach to the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Read to ME Challenge through a districtwide initiative called “BE Reads Together.”

Designed as a shared reading celebration, BE Reads Together connected students and staff across all schools and departments through one common story: The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig. Each school and department received a copy of the book and found unique ways to experience it—whether through classroom read-alouds, small-group discussions, buddy reading, or other creative formats tailored to their communities.

“We had an amazing month of a shared read to create a sense of community and connection grounded in a common book,” Randee Cassidy, an instructional coach at Buxton Center Elementary School and a member of the Maine DOE State Literacy Team, said. Principal Craig Pendleton added, “It was inspiring to see so many people genuinely connect with the book. It’s a powerful reminder that no matter your age or grade level, a picture book with a meaningful message has a way of speaking to everyone.”

As the book traveled from building to building, students and staff tracked its journey by signing their names with dates, capturing pictures along the way, and sharing their reading moments. Pictures taken were displayed on TV boards across the district, creating a visible and collective celebration of reading that connected the entire school community. The structure of the challenge encouraged participation at every level.

“It was great to see students and staff alike get excited and share in a common experience centered around a book that shows the importance of connection, belonging, and empathy,” Cassidy said.

Grounded in those themes of The Invisible Boy, this initiative reinforced the idea that reading is not only an academic skill but also a joyful, shared experience that brings people together.

Through BE Reads Together, Bonny Eagle demonstrated how a simple concept—one book, many readers—can create a powerful sense of unity across an entire school community.

This story was written in collaboration with MSAD 6. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE Encourages Mainers to Participate in 2026 Read to ME Challenge

Reading to a child for 15 minutes per day for five years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure, which can lead to high literacy development.

The 2026 Read to ME Challenge, a month-long public awareness campaign designed to support literacy development among Maine children, is officially underway. Maine Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Pender Makin launched the challenge on Monday, February 2, 2026, with a read-aloud to second- and third-grade students at the Tremont Consolidated School library in Bass Harbor.

2026 marks the 11th annual Read to ME Challenge. Throughout the month of February, Mainers are encouraged to read to and/or with children for at least 15 minutes. Adults may capture these moments with photos/short videos and share them on social media using the hashtag #ReadtoME in an effort to encourage others to do the same. The Maine DOE would like to challenge all Mainers—regardless of age, location, or language—to consider participating in this year’s challenge.

“The Read to ME Challenge has been a favorite initiative of the Maine Department of Education for more than a decade,” Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin said. “We invite all Mainers, from youth to adults, to join us in the challenge this month, as we continue to promote the joy of reading among our youngest generation.”

Reading to a child for 15 minutes per day for five years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure, which can lead to high literacy development. Research indicates that the simple act of reading aloud helps children to build language, acquire vocabulary, develop knowledge about the world, and create bonds with trusted adults.

For the Read to ME Challenge launch, Commissioner Makin read Courage Like Kate: The True Story of a Girl Lighthouse Keeper by Maine-based author Anna Crowley-Redding. Students in attendance remarked on their own experiences with lighthouses living in a coastal community.

“We were honored to host the kick-off for the Read to ME Challenge this year,” Tremont Consolidated School Principal Jandrea True said. “Any opportunity to promote literacy is worth all of the energy we can collectively muster in our communities, as proficiency in literacy is essential to a successful future. Challenge accepted at Tremont Consolidated School!”

In support of the Maine State Reading Action Plan, the Maine DOE also strongly encourages community organizations to collaborate with schools and families during the Read to ME Challenge. A list of suggested ideas for community involvement is included here.

The 2026 Read to ME Challenge will end following Read Across America Day on March 2, 2026.

Get Ready for the 11th Annual Read to ME Challenge in February!

For the 11th consecutive year, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is partnering with schools and community organizations across the state to promote the Read to ME Challenge, a month-long public awareness campaign held in February.

The Read to ME Challenge is designed to foster joy in reading and support children’s literacy development by challenging adults to read to and/or with children during the month of February. Participants are invited to capture these moments through photos or short videos and share them on social media using the hashtag #ReadtoME. Readers are also encouraged to challenge their social media connections to participate, helping the impact of this initiative to ripple across Maine.

The 2026 Read to ME Challenge will kick off the first week of February 2026 and will continue through Read Across America Day on March 2, 2026. While anyone may participate, the Challenge offers a particularly meaningful opportunity for schools, childcare programs, libraries, and community organizations to plan engaging activities that highlight a shared commitment to reading with children.

In support of the Maine State Literacy Action Plan, the Maine DOE is strongly encouraging community organizations to collaborate with schools and families during the 2026 Read to Me Challenge. In past years, a wide range of partners have hosted impactful reading events, including college and high school athletic teams, civic organizations, libraries, recreation departments, and education-focused organizations. A list of suggested ideas to spark planning is included at the end of this article.

Learn more about the Read to ME Challenge on the Maine DOE website. Additional details about the kickoff session will be shared soon.

To share photos of your Read to ME Challenge participation with the Maine DOE, please contact Rachel Paling, Maine DOE Communications Outreach Manager, at Rachel.Paling@maine.gov. You may also use the following social media handles to connect with the Maine DOE, and we will share your #ReadtoME social media posts online:

Facebook: @MaineDepartmentofEducation1!
Instagram: @mainedepted

Read to ME Challenge Ideas for Community Involvement

Invite community members into schools as guest or “mystery” readers and consider asking them to share about their professions.
Partner with local fire departments, police departments, hospitals, health care providers, and businesses.
Collaborate with public libraries to host special events during the Challenge.
Engage civic organizations such as Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Elks Clubs, and Freemasons as guest readers or event sponsors.
Include afterschool and youth programs such as Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, 21st Century Learning Programs, and teen centers.
Work with community partners to host family literacy or reading nights.
Encourage participation from local school board members.
Create opportunities for middle and high school students to read to younger learners.
Foster friendly competitions among middle and high school teams or clubs to read to children.
Use Pine Project books to promote culturally sustaining reading experiences.
Explore options to expand access for multilingual families, such as QR codes to texts written in a variety of languages.
Incorporate the Challenge into pre-service teacher preparation courses, such as children’s literature or reading methods.
Partner with Foster Grandparent Programs and Aging in Place committees.
Seek support from literacy volunteer organizations and dyslexia centers.
Plan a Community Reads event in which one book is selected for shared reading and discussion across the community.

For further information and questions about the Read to ME Challenge, please contact Lee Anne Larsen, Maine DOE Director of Early Learning, at Leeann.Larsen@maine.gov.