Maine DOE Update – August 14, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Maine DOE School Nurse Summer Institute Brings Maine Nurses Together for Professional Learning and Collaboration

On July 28-29, school nurses from across all 16 counties in Maine gathered for a two-day School Nurse Summer Institute at Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley. This biennial event is sponsored by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and planned by the Coordinated School Health Team and volunteer school nurses who work in Maine schools. The theme of this year’s conference was Complex Care, Competent Leadership: School Nurses at the Heart of Student Health. | More

Through-Year Assessment Data Show Continued Growth Trend

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) recently received the verified aggregate data from Maine’s Through Year Summative Assessment, and Maine students’ average Rasch Unit (RIT) percentile scores are at and above the most recent MAP Growth National Achievement Norms. | More

Updates to Mandated Reporting Laws and a Reminder of the Maine DOE Model Policy for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education and Response (Links Updated)

During the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Maine Legislature, LD 2105, An Act to Update Maine’s Mandated Reporting Laws, was passed. On April 13, 2026, it became Public Law Chapter 667. The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is sharing this information to ensure school administrative units (SAUs) are aware of the law’s implications for schools, as it requires SAUs to adopt and implement policy and education regarding child sexual abuse prevention education and response. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

St. George MSU Recognized as Top 10 Finalist for National Education Innovation Showcase

St. George Municipal School Unit (MSU) has been recognized as a national leader in education innovation after being named a top 10 finalist in the annual global recognition program, ASU+GSV Summit Education Innovation Showcase. The award celebrates St. George MSU’s groundbreaking work to develop the nation’s first preK-12 career and technical education (CTE) program, in partnership with MidCoast School of Technology. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Free Emergency Preparedness Training for Maine Schools

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a component of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is offering a free, in-person workshop in South Portland, Maine, on August 19 from 8 a.m. to noon. The training will focus on active shooter preparedness, providing participants with practical strategies, planning considerations, and nationally recognized best practices to help enhance school safety and resilience in the event of an active shooter incident. This is not a tactical training course. | More

Registration is Open for the 2026-2027 Transformational Leaders’ Network for Principals; New This Year is An Opportunity for Assistant Building Leaders

View the Maine Department of Education’s Events Calendar here.

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

St. George MSU Recognized as Top 10 Finalist for National Education Innovation Showcase

As part of this project, St. George MSU opened the GRACE Innovation Center in August 2025, which includes shop spaces for boatbuilding, woodworking, and metalwork, as well as a Makerspace with 3D printers, laser cutters, computer numerical control (CNC) routers, robotics, and sewing machines. The goal is to provide ALL students, preK-12, with access to career and technical education (CTE) to re-engage them in their learning, prepare them with the skills to thrive in today’s workforce and create the businesses and industries of the future, and strengthen the local economy.

Organizations from around the world apply each year to participate in the ASU+GSV Education Innovation Showcase. St. George MSU was selected as one of the top K-12 education leaders for its efforts to advance innovation within its community, create new approaches to delivering education and workforce skills, and foster meaningful change at the systems level.

At the heart of St. George MSU’s vision is the belief that the future of education is built on understanding and honoring the community’s people, history, traditions, and values. This innovative approach is deeply rooted in place and inspired by the legacy of the Lillius Gilchrest Grace Institute, a nonprofit founded in 1936 by the Grace family in memory of Lillius Grace, a St. George native. With the help of the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV) grant, a $16.9 million federal grant awarded to Maine in 2020, St. George MSU received $350,000 to kick-start its building design process, curriculum development, and capital campaign. The GRACE Innovation Center, which opened last year, was named in honor of the original Grace Institute and continues a long legacy of hands-on/minds-on learning and innovation rooted in people and place.

“Our work and vision are rooted in this place – in the history, values, traditions, and people of St. George,” Mike Felton, Executive Director of the GRACE Innovation Center, said in a statement to the community. “Even as we expand our impact, we always remember our roots. The GRACE Innovation Center is the result of a community that had the courage and heart to dream BIG for their kids.”

Rather than simply introducing a new program, St. George MSU is reimagining what education can look like when students have opportunities to create, build, and learn through meaningful experiences. Through the GRACE Institute, students and teachers collaborate with Makerspace Director Paul Meinersman, CTE Coordinator John Clark, local tradespeople, business owners, parents, and community volunteers to help turn ideas into reality.

Check out this video of St. George MSU students talking about the GRACE program:

Students are developing skills that extend far beyond the classroom as they use both their hands and minds to design, problem-solve, and create. These experiences allow students to explore potential career pathways while building confidence, collaboration skills, creativity, and a strong connection to their community.

The recognition as a finalist highlights the impact of St. George MSU’s commitment to innovative, place-based education. The school’s approach demonstrates that meaningful change does not have to begin in a large city or a major institution but can start in a small community with a bold vision, dedicated educators, and a commitment to giving students opportunities.

This story was written in collaboration with St. George MSU. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form. To learn more about the Grace Innovation Center, visit their website.

Registration is Open for the 2026-2027 Transformational Leaders’ Network for Principals; New This Year is An Opportunity for Assistant Building Leaders

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Transformational Leaders’ Network (TLN) is a practical, relationship-centered professional learning opportunity for principals to enhance their leadership practice and strengthen outcomes for schools and communities. The TLN is delivered through a series of in-person and remote/regional meetings offered across the state during the school year. All principals, from first-year principals to veterans and from large suburban schools to small rural schools, are invited to participate.

New this year is an additional TLN cohort opportunity, “Strengthening Leadership from Within,” that is specifically designed for assistant principals, deans of students, and other leading members of building-level leadership teams. This opportunity offers two in-person sessions and one virtual connection, facilitated by Maine’s Transformational Leadership Network (TLN). See details about this additional offering below.

The 2026-2027 TLN theme is “The Principal Effect and the Power of Mattering.”

This opportunity will reflect current research regarding principal effectiveness, professional learning, leadership sustainability, emotional intelligence, systems thinking, and school climate, while honoring the realities of increasingly complex school leadership.

Principals who participate can expect:

Continuous job-embedded professional development for an increasingly complex role.
A collaborative learning community, as participants tackle authentic leadership challenges together.
Learning what emotional intelligence, mattering, and leadership presence look like in practice.
Strategies for strengthening school climate and culture by building trust, establishing stronger connections, communicating openly, and supporting and engaging staff more effectively.
Learning about creating steadier school environments during periods of challenge and change through sustainable and systems-oriented leadership.
Learning about navigating conflict, pressure, and complexity.
Learning about staff ownership, increasing collective efficacy, supporting leadership succession, and strengthening the workforce.

The 2026-2027 TLN schedule is as follows:

Full-day, in-person meetings (8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.):

September 18, 2026 – Lewiston
October 23, 2026 – Bangor
December 4, 2026 – Augusta
January 22, 2027 – Brunswick
April 30, 2027 – Bangor

Remote and/or regional meetings:

Week of November 15, 2026
Week of March 1, 2027

A virtual extension session will also be offered the week after each in-person session as an opportunity for a deeper dive into discussion topics (or for those unable to attend the in-person session).

Former TLN participants have shared the following testimonials:

“[The TLN] really changed how I support teachers, how I build a more positive school culture.” – TLN Principal, 2024-2025

“It’s easier to stay and fight the daily battles, but leaving for [the TLN] makes me better when I come back.” – TLN Principal, 2025-2026

“I see [the TLN] as kind of a ‘boots on the ground’ experience that you don’t get until you’re in it. … It’s about recognizing the leader as a whole person, understanding that emotional well-being is a key component of strong leadership.” – TLN Principal, 2024-2025

“Every time I leave, I have something I can use right away.” – TLN Principal, 2025-2026

“We dream together about what education can be and walk out the door refreshed and ready to take on the next day.” – TLN Principal, 2023-2024

The cost of the TLN remains at $295 per participant for the full year of professional learning. This includes all TLN content, materials, and meals for in-person meetings. Participants will be responsible for covering their own travel.

Please note that if you are the leader of an identified school under Maine’s Model of School Supports (MMSS) (TSI-Targeted School Improvement, ATSI-Additional Targeted School Improvement, CSI-Comprehensive School Improvement), you are eligible to have registration fees covered. Contact Maine DOE Teacher Excellence, Recruitment, and Retention Coordinator Christina O’Neal at christina.l.oneal@maine.gov for a discount code to cover your registration fees.

Scholarship funding will be available to supplement the costs of travel, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, prioritizing need, paid to school administrative units (SAUs), and according to specific eligibility qualifications. Need is based on free and reduced-price meal qualifications under Chapter 223, subchapter 7, or the percentage of students identified as economically disadvantaged for subsidy purposes under Chapter 606-B. If interested in learning more about scholarship funding, please email Christina O’Neal at christina.l.oneal@maine.gov.

Click here to register for the 2026/2027 TLN Opportunity.

Strengthening Leadership from Within: A Leadership Series for Assistant Principals, Dean of Students, Lead members of Leadership Teams

The Maine DOE has identified a need to offer relationship-centered professional learning opportunities for school leaders beyond principals, including assistant principals, deans of students, and lead members of building-level leadership teams, to enhance their leadership practice and strengthen outcomes for schools and communities. TLN is pleased to offer a new leadership series geared toward assistant building leadership, with two in-person sessions and one virtual connection, facilitated by Maine’s Transformational Leadership Network.

Session 1 (in person) November 6, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., location TBD
Leading Beyond Position: Building Presence, Influence, and Leadership Identity

Assistant principals, Dean of Students, Leadership Team member(s) will explore:

Transitioning from expert practitioner to systems leader
Emotional intelligence and leadership presence
Building trust and credibility
Supporting adults while managing competing priorities
Understanding influence beyond authority

Session 2 (90 min. virtual connection) February 5, 2027
Learning from Practice: Conversations with Maine Principals

Participants will engage in facilitated conversations centered on authentic leadership challenges, including:

Difficult conversations
Managing complexity and middle-management pressures
Supporting school culture
Building staff leadership
Protecting sustainability in leadership work

Session 3 (in person) May 14, 2027, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., location TBD
Creating Conditions Where Others Grow

Participants will explore:

Building teacher leadership
Strengthening staff and student mattering
Shared decision-making
Developing climate and culture
Leadership succession and sustainability

Through this work, TLN intends to strengthen Maine’s leadership pipeline while reinforcing the belief that effective leadership development begins long before the principalship itself.

The cost of the Leadership Series for Assistant School Leaders will be $120 per participant. This includes all content, materials, and meals for in-person meetings. Participants will be responsible for covering their own travel.

Click here to register for the Strengthening Leadership from Within TLN Opportunity.

“Professional learning opportunities for school leaders can build leadership capacity and develop leaders’ competence across the full range of their responsibilities—empowering them to foster environments in which adults and students thrive.” Learning Policy Institute & Wallace Foundation (2026)

With questions, please contact Christina O’Neal, Maine DOE Educator Excellence Coordinator, at christina.l.oneal@maine.gov.ESEA Title IIA funds received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $138,676.02, of which 79% 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.

Through-Year Assessment Data Show Continued Growth Trend

The 2025 achievement norms were established using scores from approximately 13.8 million students nationwide over the course of two years.

Maine students’ average summative achievement scores on the Through-Year Assessment have also increased every year since 2023, marking a positive trend that contributes to a much broader picture of student success.

MATH:

READING:

The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) state score estimates have received a great deal of media coverage over the past 18 months, with multiple new studies and reports continuing to recycle the same data from that testing event every few weeks. Maine’s 2024 NAEP score estimates were disappointing, continuing a slow decline that began in 2011.

While NAEP and the Through-Year Assessment both provide some information about student performance in Math and Reading, the two assessments are very different, and the data they offer are produced in very different ways. NAEP uses a random sample of approximately 1700 4th and 8th grade students per test and creates what the National Center on Education Statistics (NCES) calls state “score estimates”. The score estimates are actually a statistical projection that assumes that all students in the state would perform at a level similar to the sampled students. The Through-Year Assessment, on the other hand, is taken by more than 85,000 Maine students (every student in grades 3-8 and in grade 10). Unlike NAEP, the Through-Year Assessment provides student-level data and school-level scores that can be used by teachers to inform instruction, by parents to better understand how their child is performing, and by the State in determining levels of support through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

For further assistance in understanding the differences between the Maine Through Year Assessment and the NAEP, please refer to this resource.

Experts caution against using standardized test scores alone to evaluate the success of schools, policies, or programs, recognizing that these data provide just a glimpse into the much bigger picture. Local assessments, teacher observations, passed course rates, and graduation rates, for example, offer information that builds toward a more complete picture of academic performance.

In our statewide Measure What Matters outreach, we heard from business leaders, educators, parents, and community members that the people of Maine prioritize active, applied learning; project based and “real world” projects; creativity, adaptability, and other durable skills that will prepare our students for success in a dynamic future landscape. We look forward to launching a framework next week based on these findings to shine a light on the exceptional education practices in schools across our state.

Maine DOE School Nurse Summer Institute Brings Maine Nurses Together for Professional Learning and Collaboration

Maine school nurses practicing skills in caring for students with gastrostomy tubes using a manikin during the School Nurse Summer Institute.

On July 28-29, school nurses from across all 16 counties in Maine gathered for a two-day School Nurse Summer Institute at Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley. This biennial event is sponsored by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and planned by the Coordinated School Health Team and volunteer school nurses who work in Maine schools. The theme of this year’s conference was Complex Care, Competent Leadership: School Nurses at the Heart of Student Health.

Day one of the event included skills sessions hosted in collaboration with Maine Health, as well as presentations by Trista Collins from the Office of MaineCare Services, and Dr. Patricia Endsley, National Association of School Nurses (NASN) President-Elect.

Day two included an exhibitor fair with over 30 organizations and six breakout session options. The breakout sessions included nursing leadership, student mental health, emergency planning, immunization clinics, puberty, and more.

Physical Education Specialist Carolyn Gross at the Resource Fair engaging with attendees

Nurses practicing skills in caring for students with gastrostomy tubes using manikins

As part of an Escape Room Style learning session on hearing and otoscopy, a nurse has a hearing screening completed

Here is what a few participants had to say about the event:

“This was an excellent event! It was easy to tell that all of the attendees and presenters were engaged and enjoying themselves. Skills day was helpful, not only for those of us who don’t work with medically complex students frequently, but also for those of us who are hands-on and visual learners.”

“This was wonderful. The sessions were relevant and productive. Thank you for taking the time to thoughtfully choose these for us.”

By increasing our school nurses’ understanding of current research and evidence-based practices and expanding awareness of the resources available throughout the State of Maine, our Maine schools benefit immensely.

This event, which focused on continuing professional development in nursing, was approved by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

*Members of the Maine DOE Coordinated School Health Team gather for a group picture during the School Nurse Institute.*

To learn more about coordinated school health and to access resources and information for Maine school nurses, please visit the Maine DOE website.

Free Emergency Preparedness Training for Maine Schools

School administrators, safety personnel, and emergency planning teams are encouraged to take advantage of this professional development opportunity to strengthen school emergency preparedness and response capabilities. The workshop is designed to support organizations in preparing for and responding to active shooter incidents through planning, preparedness, and coordinated response strategies.

Training Objectives:

Discuss the elements of active shooter incident response planning with guidance from expert instructors.
Describe common behaviors, potential violence indicators, and situations associated with active shooter incidents.
Share best practices, communications protocols, and resources to assist stakeholders in developing or enhancing their emergency planning, preparedness, and response to active shooter incidents.

Target Audience:

Organizational leaders/decision makers
Emergency managers and planners
Corporate and on-site security professionals
Human resource managers
Supervisory staff
Community response officials
School administrators and security officers

Registration Information:

No cost
Opens on July 20, 2026
Limited to 170 participants
Closes no later than August 14, 2026, at noon
Please limit registration to no more than three personnel per organization
Note: Event logistics will be sent via email on Friday prior to the workshop

Register here.

Preparing personnel for a potential active shooter situation is a critical component of organizational emergency and response planning. Because these incidents are often unpredictable and can escalate rapidly, understanding how to respond—and acting quickly—can save lives. Every second counts, and informed, practiced response strategies can make a meaningful difference during an emergency.

Training event agenda (PDF)

Training event flyer (PDF)

For further information and resources on active shooter preparedness, visit the CISA Active Shooter Preparedness website. For further information and questions about this training, email: central@cisa.dhs.gov.

Maine DOE Update – August 7, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Updates to Mandated Reporting Laws and a Reminder of the Maine DOE Model Policy for Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education and Response

2026-2027 Program Information and Application Procedures for National Board Certification Scholarship Fund and Salary Supplement

There are two National Board Certification programs governed by Maine State Statute (20-A MRSA Section 13013-A). For teachers who have not yet achieved National Board Certification, a scholarship program exists to provide funds to help defray certification costs. For teachers who have already achieved National Board Certification, there is a salary supplement program. In both cases, applications are submitted to the Maine Department of Education (DOE) by a teacher’s school administrative unit (SAU). Please see below for an overview of these two valuable programs and our streamlined application procedures. | More

A Refreshed EnGiNE: Maine’s Professional Learning Ecosystem Gets a New Look for the School Year

The Maine Department of Education has released a redesign of EnGiNE, the state’s professional learning ecosystem for school staff. The update reaches nearly every part of the platform: a new public homepage, a rebuilt course catalog, a redesigned dashboard, and a support center for anyone who needs help finding their way around. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Community Regional Charter School Blends Technology and Nature Through “Innovation Inside and Out”

Community Regional Charter School (CRCS) is redefining what modern learning can look like by intentionally blending advanced technology with outdoor, nature-based education. Through its “Innovation Inside and Out” approach, CRCS ensures learners develop technological fluency while building deep connections with the natural world. At CRCS, the philosophy is simple: It’s not technology or nature—it’s both. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

View the Maine Department of Education’s Events Calendar here.

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

2026-2027 Program Information and Application Procedures for National Board Certification Scholarship Fund and Salary Supplement

There are two National Board Certification programs governed by Maine State Statute (20-A MRSA Section 13013-A):

For teachers who have not yet achieved National Board Certification, a scholarship program exists to provide funds to help defray certification costs.
For teachers who have already achieved National Board Certification, there is a salary supplement program.

In both cases, applications are submitted to the Maine Department of Education (DOE) by a teacher’s school administrative unit (SAU). Please see below for an overview of these two valuable programs and our streamlined application procedures.

Applications for both programs will open on August 14. This is a wonderful way to support and reward eligible teachers, and we would encourage educators to apply.

Scholarship Funds for Teachers: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification

The National Board Certification Scholarship Fund was established by State law (20-A MRSA Section 13013-A) to encourage teachers to apply to and enroll in the certification program offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, or its successor organization.

An SAU, or a publicly supported secondary school, may request scholarship funds on behalf of its teachers who meet the eligibility requirements. For further details, please visit the Maine DOE webpage about the National Board Certification Scholarship.

Scholarship Funds Application Procedure

By October 15 of each year, per statute, the superintendent of schools of an SAU or the director of a publicly supported secondary school, Education Service Center (under Chapter 123), or career and technical education (CTE) region, may request scholarship funds on behalf of a teacher who has met all the eligibility requirements.

Please complete the form: 2026-27 National Board Scholarship Form

Important Dates:

August 14 – October 15: Scholarship application window is open
November 15: Scholarship applicant notification
December 15: Scholarship funds sent to SAUs, publicly supported secondary school, or CTE region

Salary Supplements for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards(NBPTS) Certified Teachers

Per statute (20-A MRSA Section 13013-A), any public school teacher or a teacher in a publicly supported secondary school who has attained certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards no later than July 1 of the fiscal year and meets eligibility requirements shall receive the annual supplement for the school year.

The amount of the salary supplement for each fiscal year is appropriated by the Maine State Legislature. As outlined in statute, the amount of salary supplement will be determined by the percentage of a school’s economically disadvantaged student population during the year the supplement is provided, based on one of two methods:

Free and reduced price lunch qualifications under Chapter 223, subchapter 7 (see the FY2026 ED534) or
Percentage of students identified as economically disadvantaged for subsidy purposes under chapter 606-B.

For further details, please visit the Maine DOE webpage, National Board Certification Salary Supplements.

Salary Supplements Application Procedure

By October 15 of each year, the superintendent of schools of an SAU or the director of a publicly supported secondary school, Education Service Center (under Chapter 123), or CTE region must file with the Commissioner a certified list of national board-certified teachers employed by the SAU, publicly supported secondary school, or CTE region who are eligible to receive the salary supplement.

Please complete the form: 2026-27 National Board Salary Supplement Form

Important Dates:

August 14 – October 15: Salary supplement application window is open
By February 15: Salary supplement funds sent to SAUs, publicly supported secondary school, or CTE region

With further questions about either of these opportunities, please reach out to Christina O’Neal, Maine DOE Educator Excellence Coordinator, at christina.l.oneal@maine.gov.

Community Regional Charter School Blends Technology and Nature Through “Innovation Inside and Out”

Learners regularly engage with proven and emerging technologies as they grow into confident problem solvers and design thinkers. Through the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI), CRCS has long provided one-to-one Apple devices for all learners. In recent years, additional MLTI Teach with Tech grant funding has expanded access to digital storytelling tools, including 360-degree cameras, action video equipment, and livestreaming technology. The same grant enhanced wide-format printing capabilities, introduced AR/VR workstations, and brought a 30-learner-capacity mobile planetarium to the school community.

Most recently, CRCS was awarded a competitive federal grant to upgrade its 3D printing fleet, establish a mobile PC lab, and begin developing virtual reality environments to support remote learning and mental health access in rural communities. These opportunities are further supported by full access to Adobe Creative Cloud, Wacom Art Displays, Unreal Engine, Unity, Fusion 360, and other industry-standard tools.

At the same time, learners benefit from robust outdoor learning and nature-based education. Whether working with the outdoor learning facilitator or the school garden coordinator, learners explore local ecosystems through tree observations, weather and climate studies, and hands-on garden work. These experiences cultivate empathy and stewardship while strengthening science learning.

In the school garden, learners connect life science concepts to real-world skills, such as growing whole foods, preparing healthy meals, and building lasting knowledge about wellness and nutrition.

This year, Director of Design and Innovation Dan Ryder and Coordinator of Garden-Based Education and Experiential Learning Selina Greene Warren began collaborating to intentionally weave together technology and nature-based education. Their two-pathway framework, known as Compass and Canvas, guides the work.

The Compass Pathway focuses on mentoring learners to discover their interests, strengths, and areas for growth. Through guided exploration, learners develop strategies for self-regulation, resilience, and perseverance while discovering their “true north.”

The Canvas Pathway emphasizes creativity and expression. Whether working in visual arts, music and movement, graphic design, or nature art, learners are encouraged to explore ideas across a wide range of mediums—from paper and cardboard to computer screens and garden plots. The goal is to help learners communicate ideas, express creativity, and strengthen problem-solving skills.

To support this work, Ryder established RavenWorks Problem-Solving Studios at both the Overman and Dimensions Academy campuses. Based on the award-winning Success and Innovation Center model he co-founded, RavenWorks blends makerspace practices with social-emotional support and flexible learning environments.

Meanwhile, Warren is expanding the school garden program at Dimensions Academy to include a perennial garden and a therapy garden—spaces designed to support self-regulation, inspiration, and creative thinking. Additionally, a play-based garden is being developed at the Creative Children’s Academy, ensuring CRCS’s youngest learners can begin exploring the Compass and Canvas pathways.

“When facilitators model innovation, learners become more confident problem solvers,” Ryder said.

“By balancing the Compass and the Canvas, we help learners recognize and celebrate differences while working toward both individual and collective growth,” Warren said.

Ryder and Warren presented their collaborative work at the Every Teacher a Leader Conference at Thomas College on July 30-31, 2026.

This story was submitted by Community Regional Charter School. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

A Refreshed EnGiNE: Maine’s Professional Learning Ecosystem Gets a New Look for the School Year

A redesigned homepage, a rebuilt course catalog, simpler navigation, and a new support center. More content arrives as the school year gets underway.

The refresh arrives in time for the upcoming school year, and as new courses and community spaces continue to come online.

EnGiNE (Engaging Innovation in Education) connects Maine’s educational workforce through professional learning, collaboration, contact hours, and shared resources, and it provides a shared learning space for education professionals regardless of their zip code. A school nurse in Aroostook County can share ideas and best practices with one in Lewiston; a classroom teacher can earn contact hours without traveling a long distance, and educators separated by district lines can build and learn together. Literacy specialists, school nurses, principals, instructional coaches, and data coordinators all have a place here.

Professional learning on EnGiNE spans child nutrition, career and technical education, data, early learning, educator supports, extended learning, innovation and research, outdoor education, school health, school safety, special and inclusive education, technology and learning, and Wabanaki Studies, along with interdisciplinary content that intentionally crosses those lines. New content and courses are continuously being added.

EnGiNE supports self-paced asynchronous courses, live virtual office hours, hybrid book studies and discussion groups, ongoing training series, and community forums for peer-to-peer exchange. Some experiences span others while others can fit into the fifteen minutes between classes. It is designed to provide high-quality professional learning opportunities in a variety of formats.

Currently, more than 4,300 educators and school staff are connected on the platform.

The newly released version enhances the EnGiNE experience in several ways:

Visitors can now browse and search the course catalog at engine.maine.gov without need to create an account.
Previews of modules and training allow visibility into what EnGiNE has to offer.
Searching is faster, and the catalog can be narrowed by category, tag, or instructor.
The redesigned dashboard easily allows participants to jump back in where they left off or explore new content in the system.
Navigation is simpler, and the design throughout lends itself to a more logical and structured experience.
A newly launched support center assists users to easily find information they are looking for.
Enhanced accessibility across all areas of the platform.

“We’ve been building EnGiNE for years, and this is the largest upgrade we’ve released. EnGiNE is a community of practice across Maine’s schools not just a catalog of courses. The easier it is to move through, the more of that work happens. I’m looking forward to schools getting in and seeing what has changed.”

Elaine Bartley, Innovative Research & Design Director, Office of Innovation, and EnGiNE administrator

New courses, modules, and community spaces arrive throughout the school year. Educators can browse what is available now, and returning users will find their existing courses and communities where they left them.

Educators and school staff can sign in or create an account at engine.maine.gov.

About EnGiNE

EnGiNE (Engaging Innovation in Education) is the Maine Department of Education’s statewide professional learning ecosystem for educators and school staff. From coastal islands to northern rural communities, it connects Maine’s educational workforce through asynchronous courses and modules that carry contact hours, community portals, collaboration groups, resource sharing and lending libraries, and statewide professional development. EnGiNE is maintained by a cross-departmental team of Maine DOE professionals known as the Pit Crew. Its ongoing development and hosting are fully funded by the Maine Department of Education using state funds. Learn more at engine.maine.gov.