Maine DOE Update – January 30, 2020

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Principals and Health Teachers- Please Complete Your School Health Profiles

The amount of time young people spend in school provides an excellent opportunity to help improve the health status of children and adolescents. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed the School Health Profiles (SHP) as a tool to measure progress in the implementation of school policies and practices. Principals and Lead Health education Teachers in middle and high schools are given the survey every even year. The last survey was conducted in 2018. | More

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News & Updates

Clarification on Proposal of MaineCare Benefits Manual Section 106, School-Based Services

On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, MaineCare filed the proposed Section 106, School-Based Services rule (Chapters II and III) with the Secretary of State’s office. At that time, a version of the proposed rule was shared publicly, although the rulemaking documents will not be available online until January 29, 2020, as per the standard Administrative Procedure Act (APA) process. | More

Reminder and Updated Guidance for Scheduling / Rescheduling Instructional Days and Requesting Waivers

For those school administrative units (SAUs) that experience unplanned emergency or weather-related school closures, this guidance outlines the process of scheduling or rescheduling school days in order to meet the required number of instructional days, and for requesting Commissioner waivers. The Department encourages SAUs to build extra snow days into their calendar in advance. | More

Commissioner Makin will Kick off Read to ME Challenge Monday, January 3.

To kick off the 5^th annual Read to ME Challenge, Maine Department of Education’s Commissioner Pender Makin will read to kindergarten-2 students at Lincoln School in Augusta. Joining the Commissioner will be Senator Matthew Pouliot and Representative Donna Doore.| More

Model Concussion Policy Revision

Pursuant to Title 20-A MRSA§254(17) , all public schools, and private schools enrolling more than 60% of its students at public expense, are required to adopt and implement a policy on the management of concussive and other head injuries in school activities and athletics that is consistent with the model policy developed by the commissioner. | More

Aquaculture me! Hosts Conference to Connect Research, Education, and Industry

Aquaculture me!, an initiative created by Yarmouth educator, 2016 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year, and Miliken recipient Morgan Cuthbert, to get classroom teachers connected to the science and industry of aquaculture, held a professional development conference at the University of Maine’s Darling Center near Damariscotta last week. | More

Application Process Open for Student Position on Maine State Board of Education

Student voice is critically important to the Maine State Board of Education, and they are seeking applications for the newest student member to join the Board. Applications are being accepted February 3 – 24, 2020. | More

Maine to Join National #LoveTeaching Campaign February 14 – 21

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), along with the Maine Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program, and Maine State Teacher of the Year Association (MSTOYA), are joining the national #LoveTeaching campaign, a grassroots effort started by teachers in 2015 as an opportunity to celebrate teaching, leading, and learning in a way that unites and invigorates educators and those they inspire all around the world. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Dede Gilbert

Maine DOE team member Dede Gilbert is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

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Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Professional Development Opportunity: Maine Learning Results for Social Studies – Emphasis on Maine Native Americans

On April 3, 2020, Maine educators are invited to join the Western Maine Education Collaborative and the Department of Education at Winthrop High School for another session of the Social Studies standards roll out and training related to teaching about Maine Native Americans. | More

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – January 23, 2020

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

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News & Updates

Read to ME Challenge to Kick-off February 3rd at Lincoln School in Augusta

Year five of the Read to ME Challenge is scheduled to begin on February 3, 2020. Maine Department of Education Commissioner Pender Makin will launch the campaign by reading to children at the Lincoln School in Augusta. | More

50+ School and District Leaders Come Together to Enhance Student Support and Instructional Practice

Collaboration and support was the primary focus of three recent technical assistance session held in Ellsworth, Brewer, and Augusta between 50+ school and district leadership teams and the Maine DOE ESEA Federal Program team members. | More

Organizations Needed to Feed Hungry Children this Summer

With the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine public schools have long offered a nutritious breakfast and lunch meal program to thousands of income eligible children in Maine during the school year. To extend this program, Maine Department of Education Child Nutrition (Maine DOE) is seeking organizations who would like to participate in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides children healthy meals when school is not in session. | More

Maine DOE Launches Culinary Video Series to Support School Nutrition Programs

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in collaboration with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, recently launched two sets of videos to help support Maine school nutrition programs around the state. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Roy Fowler

Maine DOE team member Roy Fowler is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

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Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Maine Youth Action Network Offering Free Trainings Focused on Youth Engagement, Social Emotional Learning, and more!

For the 2019-2020 academic year, Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) is hosting 26 free Continuing Education Trainings that are focused on Youth Engagement, Social Emotional Learning, and more. Each of these trainings are free to attend, offer CEUS, and provide lunch. | More

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

Maine DOE Update – January 17, 2020

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

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News & Updates

Commissioner Makin Begins 2020 with a Visit to Dover-Foxcroft and Dexter

On January 3^rd Maine Department of Education’s Commissioner Pender Makin visited the Tri-County Technical Center (TCTC) in Dexter for a tour of the facility and to have a round-table discussion with students, educators, and legislators about successes and concerns from the Dover-Foxcroft/Dexter region. | More

Maine Department of Education Releases Updated Dyslexia Webpage

The Office of Special Services has updated their Special Initiatives page to further develop dyslexia awareness and to serve as a dyslexia toolkit for educators and families. | More

2019 Report on Census of Community-Based Environmental Learning in Maine Released

Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance and Maine Environmental Education Association announced the release of the Census of Community-Based Environmental Learning (CBEL) in Maine 2019 report on Monday, January 13, 2020 at a press conference at the Maine State House. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Jason Anderson

Maine DOE team member Jason Anderson is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign.| More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

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Professional Development & Training Opportunities

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – January 10, 2020

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Truancy Requirements and Reporting: FREE Q&A Webinar

In order to assist SAUs with their legislatively mandated student truancy data reporting, the Maine Department of Education Data and School and Student Supports Teams are jointly offering a free webinar to review the requirements, and answer questions from the field as they relate to the truancy reporting process. | More

Important Reminder: Due Date Approaches for Quarter 2 (Q2) Attendance, Behavior, Bullying, and Truancy Data Review

The Department of Education offers quarterly windows for districts to review, for accuracy and comprehensiveness, the data that has been entered and reported to us. It is our hope that review of this data on a more regular basis will save district personnel time and work at the end of the year, and that it will provide time for analysis and to make any necessary corrections. | More

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News & Updates

Student Cabinet Meets with Commissioner Makin to Discuss Education in Maine

Students from across Maine met with Maine Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Pender Makin in Augusta for an all-day summit on December 20^th. The students were each selected from a pool of nearly 300 applicants to be part of the Maine Department of Education’s first Student Cabinet. The 12/20 meeting was the first of four meetings to take place this school year. | More

Unified Guidance regarding LD 1370

In the first session of the 129th legislature, LD 1370, An Act To Address Dangerous Behavior in the Classroom, was passed. In a collaborative effort to provide unified guidance to our profession and colleagues, the leaders of Maine Department of Education(DOE), Maine Education Association (MEA), Maine Principals Association(MPA),Maine School Superintendents Association and Maine School Board Association (MSSA/MSBA), and Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities(MADSEC) have met and reached consensus on the following: | More

Maine DOE Releases RFP for 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce the release of a request for proposals (RFP) seeking bids from interested parties to implement comprehensive 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) programming in 2012-2021. It is anticipated that roughly $2M will be available to issue grant awards later this year. | More

Maine Department of Education Seeks Qualified Peer Reviewers for 21st CCLC Grant Proposals

The Maine Department of Education is seeking qualified peer reviewers to read, assess, and score competitive grant proposals for the 21st Century Community Leaning Centers (21st CCLC) Program. This federally-funded grant program provides opportunities for schools and communities to develop “community learning centers” that serve children and youth during out-of-school time. | More

Breakfast After The Bell Grant Funding Available!

Maine Department of Education’s School Nutrition Team is pleased to share that grant funding is available to school administrative units with a public school who wish to implement a breakfast program after the start of the school day with an alternative delivery model. | More

Ever Wonder How You Can Thank That Amazing Teacher? Nominate!

As part of the Maine Department of Education’s ongoing efforts to highlight Maine’s outstanding teachers, nominations are now open for the 2020 County Teachers of the Year and 2021 Teacher of the Year. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and nurturing the achievement of all students. | More

PAEMST 2019-2020 Awards – Nominate a Teacher Today!!

The National Science Foundation is currently accepting nominations and applications for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program. PAEMST are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. Since 1983, more than 4,800 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education. | More

Maine History Teacher of the Year: Nominations Open!

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is seeking nominations for the Maine History Teacher of the Year. | More

Maine Students Selected for United States Senate Youth Program

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) announces that high school students Ms. Elena Ray Clothier and Mr. Michael Paul Delorge will join Senator Susan M. Collins and Senator Angus S. King in representing Maine in the nation’s capital during the 58th annual USSYP Washington Week, to be held March 7 — 14, 2020. Elena Clothier of Lewiston and Michael Delorge of Limestone were selected from among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation who will also each receive a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate study. | More

2020 High School SAT – SAA & ELL Request Dates – REMINDER

This is a reminder regarding 2020 high school Math and ELA/Literacy SAT accommodations dates: | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Pam Ford-Taylor

I am the DOE School Enrollment Specialist for K-12. This includes approving public and private schools, managing home instruction, coordinating Commissioner waivers and Superintendent agreement appeals, and conducting policy and analysis work related to student enrollment and eligibility. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

RSU 21 Welcomes Famous Guest Speaker Schuyler Bailar During Transgender Awareness Week

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Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Free Training Available for Administration of State Assessment

In preparation for the 2020 Maine Educational Assessments (MEA) for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy for grades 3-8 (eMPowerME) and 3^rd year of high school assessment administration (SAT), the Department, in collaboration with Cognia, eMetric and College Board, will be holding half-day regional training sessions on the following dates: | More

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – December 26, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

MaineCare Seed adjustments to be made, review Q1-20 reports by January 15, 2020

The recovery of Q1-20 MaineCare Seed will occur in the January 2020 subsidy payment, and the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) is asking School Administrative Units (SAUs) to review their reports by January 15, 2020 to ensure accurate adjustments to subsidy. SAU staff must review student by student claims on both the public and private MaineCare reports for Q1-20 by January 15, 2020. | More

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News & Updates

CDS Seeks Public Input on the Revised Part C System of Payments Policy

Child Development Services (CDS) seeking public input on its recently revised System of Payments policy for Part C services. The revised policy reflects the feedback that CDS received from stakeholders and the State Interagency Coordinating Council regarding the implementation of a family fee for receipt of Part C services for families who meet income guidelines. | More

ECTA’s Executive Summary of CDS Regional Stakeholder Meetings

In October of 2019, at the request of Maine Department of Education (MDOE), technical assistance personnel from the IDEA Early Child Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) facilitated seven regional stakeholder groups to gain additional understanding of SAUs’ perspectives on the proposed transition of the transfer of responsibility for special education services for children, ages 3 to 5, to the public schools. ECTA’s Executive Summary of those meetings provides regional and statewide detail regarding both the opportunities and challenges that the proposed transition presents. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

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Professional Development & Training Opportunities

WIDA Early Years Online Learning Modules (to Support Multilingual Children) Available at No Cost to Teachers and Administrators

The Maine Department of Education would like to remind Maine’s early care and education community that they are able to access to the WIDA Early Years online learning modules. These modules focus on supporting young multilingual children, ages 2.5 to 5.5 years and are available at no cost to teachers and administrators. Multilingual children, commonly referred to as dual language learners, are children who are developing more than one language. | More

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – December 20, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Important Reminder: Due Date Approaches for Quarter 2 (Q2) Attendance, Behavior, Bullying, and Truancy Data Review

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News & Updates

Keep Kids Moving, Keep Kids Learning!

During these cold winter days of cabin fever in the classroom, we want to support educators with resources to keep kids moving and engaged. Evidence suggests a positive impact of physical activity on academic achievement and in reducing behavioral challenges. Active recess time, physical education classes, and utilizing action-based learning strategies in the classroom can all be part of the regular school day. | More

School-Based Services Training Survey, Due December 31.

In partnership with our colleagues at Department of Health and Human Services(DHHS), we are asking special education directors to complete a brief survey regarding MaineCare, so we can better tailor professional development for special education providers. | More

CTE Programs- Input Request!

In an effort to enhance Maine’s high quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, the Department of Education is seeking your input. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Morgan Dunton

Maine DOE team member Morgan Dunton is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Morgan in the brief question and answer below. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

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Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Reminder: Register for Maine School Winter Wellness Summit on Jan 31

To assist those who are responsible for the important task of reporting quarterly attendance data to the Maine Department of Education, the DOE Data Team will be holding a webinar on Monday January 6th, from 11am to 12pm. | More

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – December 12, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

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News & Updates

Bonny Eagle High and Boothbay Region Elementary Educators Named Assistant Principals of the Year

During two separate school assemblies held Monday, December 9, 2019 the Maine Principals’ Association named Erin Maguire, Assistant Principal at Bonny Eagle High School, Maine’s NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year for 2020, and Tricia Campbell, Assistant Principal at Boothbay Region Elementary School, Maine’s NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year for 2020. | More

Cape Elizabeth Students Honored at DOE Arts Showcase Celebration

Forty-two student artists from Cape Elizabeth Middle School were honored on December 10, 2019 in the Hall of Flags of the Maine State House in Augusta as part of the Maine Arts Showcase celebration. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet Charlotte Ellis

Maine DOE team member Charlotte Ellis is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Charlotte in the brief question and answer below. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

New Webinar: Quarterly Attendance Reporting -FAQs and Common Errors

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – December 6, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

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News & Updates

Maine DOE to Host Student Arts Showcase Celebration 12/10 at Maine State House

The Maine Department of Education is pleased to announce that Maine is joining the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools initiative to inspire and promote effective school sustainability and collaboration. The award highlights sustainability practices undertaken at the school, district, or post-secondary institution level that are cost-saving and health promoting. | More

December, a Time to Raise Awareness About Alcohol Use

Alcohol is the most frequently used substance by adolescents in Maine. Almost one of every four Maine high school students used alcohol in the past 30 days, and more than one third of those students reported binge drinking (2017 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey). Alcohol consumption by students is impacted by factors such as low perception of harm, low perception of getting caught, and ease of access. | More

Maine Music Educators Help Root Modern Band Curriculum into Maine Schools

Educators from across the state gathered at Orono High School recently for their Modern Band 102 lesson, a second professional learning opportunity available through the Maine Kids Rock Program. Delivered by Little Kids Rock Educator Spencer Hale, the class gave educators the opportunity to fine tune their technique, and to build upon what they had learned in the previous modern band lessons they’ve been participating. | More

Get to know the DOE Team: Meet David Emberley

Maine DOE team member David Emberley is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about David in the brief question and answer below. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Mid-winter Boost: 2020 Maine School Winter Wellness Summit, Life is Good, Wellness Makes It Better!

Taking care of the health and well-being of staff and students has become more and more critical given the many stresses of the world in which we all live. Register today for the Maine School Winter Wellness Summit, Life is Good, Wellness Makes It Better! being held January 30 & 31, 2020 at The Samoset Resort, Rockport, to bolster your school wellness program. | More

Early Mathematics Diagnostic Interview (EMDI), A Diagnostic Interview Tool

This professional learning opportunity is specifically designed for Pre-K-5 mathematics educators, including classroom teachers, special education teachers, Title 1 teachers, math or instructional coaches, and math support staff. | More

Trauma Informed Readiness and Response Planning Workshop

As the most requested support topic from the field, we at the Department of Education hear of the extensive impact that trauma, mental health and the opioid crisis are having on our schools. We are taking action to support educators in addressing the increased needs of our students through the use of trauma informed practices. To begin this partnership and support, we will be hosting an interactive conference on Trauma Informed Readiness and Response Planning. | More

Save the Date: Training Opportunity on Serving Highly Mobile Students (Homeless, Foster, Migrant, Military)

Join us for an interactive session on the educational provisions designed to promote the educational stability of highly mobile students. Please complete this survey to register and share with us what you would like to get out of the training. | More

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – November 21, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

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News & Updates

PRIORITY NOTICE: Proposed Reinstatement of Rule Chapter 115 (The Credentialing of Education Personnel Rules) Part II Requirements for Specific Certificates and Endorsements

Maine students from rural communities came to the Maine State Capitol last week as part of a unique learning opportunity offered by The Maine Forest Collaborative. The collaborative, created and administered by the Rural Aspirations Project, | More

Priority Notice: Proposed Revisions to Ch. 125, School Approval Standards

The State Board and the Department of Education are proposing the repeal and replacement of Chapter 125: Basic School Approval Standards: Public Schools and School Administrative Units. | More

Green Ribbon Schools

Maine Educators Celebrated at Annual Teacher of the Year Gala

The Teacher of the Year Program hosted its annual Gala this past weekend on Saturday, November 16th at Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks. The event honors Maine educators that have been named County Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year with a banquet, reception, and awards ceremony. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

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Professional Development & Training Opportunities

Educator Forum: Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools

Explore the impact of trauma on the social, emotional, and academic growth of students in this interactive workshop. Topics to be covered include Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), trauma-sensitive schools, restorative practices, and the importance of establishing a culture of self-care. | More

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Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine DOE Update – November 14, 2019

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Open Comment Period for Required Civil Rights Data Collection Revisions: Closes November 18!

The Maine Department of Education has just learned that the United States Department of Education (USED) has released proposed revisions to the data required as part of the Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), and that the comment period for the proposed revisions closes on Monday, November 18. We wanted all school administrative unit (SAU) and school leaders, and any other interested parties, to be aware of this open comment period, and to have the opportunity to review the proposed revisions and provide feedback directly to the USED.| More

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News & Updates

Maine Forest Collaborative Brings Together Rural Students for Resource-Based Educational Opportunity

Students Learn What it is Like to be an Educator at Thomas College Teacher Academy

With a steep teacher shortage facing many communities in Maine, Thomas College and the Maine Department of Education teamed up to offer a daylong experimental teaching environment to further engage Maine students who are interested in teaching as a profession. | More

Nominate an Educator or School Employee for “Life Changer of the Year”

Life Changer of the Year is an annual program recognizing K-12 educators and school employees across the country. This includes teachers, para educators, custodians, secretaries, principals, lunch personnel, school nurses, guidance counselors, anyone who is employed by a K-12 school district. It is easy to nominate someone. Anyone can nominate up to 3 employees. Our program celebrates those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019-2020 Program. | More

Hannaford Donates $1M to Support “Fuel Kids at School” Hunger Relief Efforts

Hannaford Supermarkets announced a $1 million donation as part of its new “Fuel Kids at School” initiative that is designed to directly address food insecurity and improve access to fresh and healthy food for children. | More

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Debbie Violette

Maine DOE team member Debbie Violette is being highlighted this week as the part of a Get to know the DOE Team campaign! Learn a little more about Debbie. | More