When you ask Talya Edlund’s students what they think of their third grade teacher, you will hear words like, “stupendous, epic, amazing, and fantastic.” When you ask the principal of Pond Cove Elementary School in Cape Elizabeth of this 15 year veteran educator, you hear the term “top-tier educator.”
Category: Maine Teacher of the Year
Maine Teacher of the Year candidates nearing end of reviews
Eight teachers in the running for the 2016 Maine Teacher of the Year title presented to and answered questions from members of the State review panel last week. The teachers were selected from the 2015 County Teachers of the Year named in May at a ceremony at the State House Hall of Flags. Maine DOE’s Acting Deputy Commissioner Rachelle Tome and the 2015 Maine Teacher of the Year Jenn Dorman from Skowhegan Area Middle School were among the seven member review panel.
Continue reading “Maine Teacher of the Year candidates nearing end of reviews”
Commissioner’s Conference
In case you missed the 104th Annual Commissioner’s Conference, here is a recap with valuable links.
Acting Commissioner of Education, Thomas Desjardin opened and closed the conference at Sunday River with timely updates on the ongoing FY16 budget discussions and voting at the State House at the time. He also acknowledged the ever changing educational climate and the hard work and successes of school leaders and Maine DOE’s support through its multi-faceted services.
2016 Maine Teacher of the Year semi-finalists announced
The Maine DOE, in partnership with Educate Maine, recently named eight teachers as semi-finalists for Maine’s 2016 Teacher of the Year. They were chosen from this year’s 16 County Teachers of the Year who were named in May at a celebration at the State House Hall of Flags.
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Maine DOE announces teacher leadership summit
The Maine DOE is promoting the Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers (ECET2) summit at Colby College in Waterville on August 6-7.
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Commissioner’s Update – May 14, 2015
From the Maine Department of Education
LD 131 “An Act To Amend the Laws Related to Public Funding of Charter Schools” was signed May 8, 2015 by Governor LePage. Under the new law Maine DOE will make monthly payments directly to approved public charter schools starting in FY16, the same way the Department has long distributed funds to traditional public school districts.
Currently, districts that lose students to public charter schools are billed directly by the receiving charter school. The Maine DOE will provide financial relief to traditional school units since they no longer must include these payments in their annual budgets.
The new funding method will relieve the unpredictable financial impact of charters to individual (sending) districts and was overwhelmingly supported by leaders of Maine’s school districts, including the 100 or so that now have at least one student enrolled in one of the state’s five bricks-and-mortar charter schools or the virtual Maine Connections Academy. The change also allows Maine to move beyond the divisive debate about charter school funding and refocus on how to create opportunities for students to be most successful at Maine public schools, whether they be charters or traditional.
Notices and Reporting
- SPPS Report on Transition to a Proficiency-Based System, due July 1 (Reminder)
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
First Lady LePage, Acting Education Commissioner announce 2015 County Teachers of the Year
First Lady Ann LePage and Acting Education Commissioner Tom Desjardin marked Teacher Appreciation Week by announcing the top teacher from each Maine county. | More
Maine Department of Education pledges additional funding to support autism resource, research institute
The Maine Department of Education is committing over $150,000 to continue the work of the state’s first autism institute. | More
Department seeks feedback on ESEA waiver renewal
The Maine DOE is seeking feedback on Maine’s proposed Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Waiver Renewal application. | More
Alternate assessment for math, ELA closing May 15
The deadline to submit the National Center and State Collaborative Alternate Assessment (NCSC), used to assess students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in mathematics and English language arts is this Friday, May 15. | More
Maine DOE joins library advocates in Washington, D.C. for National Library Legislative Day
Last week the Maine DOE was represented along with hundreds of library supporters in Washington, D.C. to speak with their legislators about the importance of libraries. | More
Notice to 30th annual school wellness conference applicants; due date extended to May 29
If your school submitted an application for the 30th Annual Maine Schoolsite Health Promotion Program “Wellness” Conference to the Maine DOE but has not yet received a confirmation please contact the Department. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner
LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
First Lady LePage, Acting Education Commissioner announce 2015 County Teachers of the Year
The 2016 Maine Teacher of the Year will be selected from the 16 honorees and named at a surprise all-school assembly this fall
AUGUSTA – First Lady Ann LePage and Acting Education Commissioner Tom Desjardin marked Teacher Appreciation Week by announcing the top teacher from each Maine county at a State House ceremony today.
Maine Teacher of the Year nominations due today
Nominations are due by 5 p.m. today for the 2016 Maine Teacher of the Year.
Mainers who have been positively impacted by one of the state’s many outstanding public school educators are encouraged to extend their thanks by taking a few minutes today to submit their nomination. All nominees will be notified, so even those who do not advance further will receive recognition.
Nominate a great Maine teacher now. Continue reading “Maine Teacher of the Year nominations due today”
Commissioner’s Update – February 12, 2015
From the Maine Department of Education
The nomination deadline is just days away for the 2016 Maine Teacher of the Year.
Members of the public can enter educators who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and nurturing the achievement of all students at www.mainetoy.org through Feb. 20. To be considered, a teacher must hold at least a four-year degree and be employed by a Maine public school – including a public charter school or publicly supported secondary school.
The eventual winner of the state’s highest teaching honor, which is awarded by the Maine DOE through a program administered by Educate Maine, serves as an advocate for teachers, students and the efforts underway in Maine’s public schools to prepare students for success in college, career and civic life.
Notices and Reporting
- School Facilities Inventory FY13-14, due March 31 (Reminder)
More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar
News & Views
Maine DOE recommends, rather than requires, assessment keyboards
The Maine DOE is pleased to announce that mechanical keyboards will no longer be required for the online administration of the new Maine Educational Assessment for Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy. | More
Governor LePage proclaims February Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
Governor Paul R. LePage is requesting Mainers observe Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month this February. | More
JMG receives $200,000 to expand to Cony High School
Governor Paul R. LePage and Acting Education Commissioner Tom Desjardin were on hand Tuesday as Jobs for Maine’s Graduates (JMG) accepted a $200,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation. | More
School day SAT administration support available
The Department is letting schools preparing to administer the optional SAT to their students on Wednesday, April 15 know of support available from College Board. | More
Nominations open for Maine’s 2015 Curriculum Leader of the Year
The Maine Curriculum Leaders’ Association (MCLA) is seeking nominations for the 2015 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year through March 30. | More
Maine DOE sets reduced AP test fees for low-income students
The Maine DOE has worked with the U.S. Department of Education and the College Board to acquire grant money to cover a portion of the exam fee for low-income students. | More
Department updates guidance on adult ed and MUSER
The Maine DOE has recently revised its FAQs on adult education and its role in Maine’s Unified Special Education Regulations (MUSER). | More
Students encouraged to enter Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest
The Maine Secretary of State’s Office is inviting students to enter its Maine Constitution Essay and Poster Contest. | More
Maine schools educating boys of color eligible for $10k COSEBOC award
Qualifying Maine schools are invited to enter the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (COSEBOC) fourth annual COSEBOC School Awards. | More
Webinar on Feb. 24 on nuisance birds around schools
Maine schools that have issues with nuisance birds are invited to a free webinar overviewing the challenges that avian pests present and ways to deter them. | More
More Dispatches | Press Releases | From the Commissioner
LATEST DOE Career/Project Opportunities
Nominations due Feb. 20 for next Maine Teacher of the Year
The nomination deadline is just days away for the 2016 Maine Teacher of the Year.
Continue reading “Nominations due Feb. 20 for next Maine Teacher of the Year”
