Maine DOE Update – June 12, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

SUN Bucks and SUN Meals Programs Return in the Summer of 2026 to Aid Food Access for Maine Children

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is pleased to announce the return of the SUN Bucks and SUN Meals programs in the summer of 2026. These programs, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), help to ensure that Maine children continue to have access to healthy, nutritious food during the summer months when school meals and snacks are not available. | More

Filing of Chapter 101 – Maine Unified Special Education Regulation (Emergency Rulemaking)

Reflections from a Successful Third Annual Maine DOE ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit

On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education hosted its third annual “I Belong” Youth Summit at Central Maine Community College in Auburn. Every spring, this event provides an opportunity for students with disabilities from across Maine to explore post-secondary pathways as they approach “transition” age—the time for planning for adult life after high school. | More

Augusta Schools Receives Later Secondary School Start Time Planning Grant

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is pleased to announce the award of a one-time, competitive Later Secondary School Start Time Planning Grant to Augusta Schools, in the amount of $75,000. | More

Maine Educators Honored as 2026 Curriculum Leader and Instructional Coach of the Year

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to join the Maine Curriculum Leaders Association (MCLA) in recognizing two outstanding educational leaders whose dedication to teaching, learning, and student success has made a lasting impact in their schools and communities. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

2026 Waldo County Teacher of the Year Brings Economics to Life for Monroe Elementary School Students

When students in Rachel Norgang’s second- and third-grade classes at Monroe Elementary School learn about economics, they don’t just read about businesses in a textbook. They visit gravel pits, tour working farms, explore event venues, and meet artists whose work is displayed around the world. | More

Athens Community School Brings Families Together Through “One School, One Book” Earth Day Project

From April 6-16, 2026, Athens Community School held its annual “One School, One Book” project, designed to use literature to connect classrooms, families, and communities and bring attention to important issues. | More

Mt. Blue’s Alternative Learning Program Expands Student Opportunity Through Relationship-Based and Experiential Learning

For some students, success in school begins when learning becomes more flexible, personalized, and connected to real life. At the Alternative Learning Program (ALP) located within Mt. Blue High School, alternative education teachers are working to create that environment through relationship-based instruction, project-based learning, and opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Leading Early Learning Fellowship: A Professional Learning Series for Elementary School Administrators

As more Maine elementary schools expand their preschool offerings and implement whole-student approaches across the pre-K through grade 3 span, elementary administrators have expressed a need for professional learning tailored to early learning leadership. In response, the Maine DOE created the Leading Early Learning Fellowship, a dynamic professional learning series designed to meet these needs and support leadership development. Since its launch in 2021, the Fellowship has served five cohorts of elementary school leaders. The next Leading Early Learning Fellowship cohort will launch during the 2026-2027 school year. Applications will be accepted through July 10, 2026. | More

REMINDER: Registration Open for ElevatED 2026: Maine DOE Annual Summit and Every Teacher a Leader Conference

Registration is now open for ElevatED 2026, a dynamic summer professional learning experience designed to inspire, connect, and support Maine’s education workforce through meaningful collaboration and practical learning opportunities. | More

Registration Open for July Holocaust Education Seminar for Maine Educators

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is sharing a summer professional learning opportunity for educators interested in strengthening Holocaust and human rights education in the classroom. | More

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

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

PRIORITY NOTICE: Filing of Chapter 101 – Maine Unified Special Education Regulation (Emergency Rulemaking)

This morning, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) filed an emergency rule to protect the health, safety, and educational rights of students with disabilities and the dedicated professionals who serve them. This change allows private schools serving as educational placements for students in special education to be parties in mediations, due process hearings, and expedited due process hearings. The emergency rule takes effect immediately upon its filing on June 12, 2026.

This action is necessary to ensure that all students with individualized education plans (IEPs) have access to appropriate placements and that federal and state laws are followed. The emergency rule will address several urgent concerns:

Improper student removals: This violates the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Maine Unified Special Education Regulation (MUSER) “stay put” protections and can cause serious harm, especially for students with significant disabilities who rely on stable routines and relationships.
Educator safety and program limits: School staff are experiencing serious safety risks when supporting students whose needs exceed available program capacity, leading to injuries and unsustainable conditions.
Loss of educational services: When placements end abruptly and no alternative is available, students may go without education while school administrative units (SAUs) search for a new placement.
Family impact and safety concerns: Sudden removals can create instability at home, including lost income, increased caregiving demands, and potential safety risks when students are home in distress.
Lack of a clear dispute resolution pathway: Current gaps in the administrative process leave SAUs, private schools, and families without an effective way to resolve placement disputes.
Risk to statewide compliance: These issues jeopardize the State of Maine’s ability to meet requirements of IDEA and maintain access to federal funding.

The emergency rule amends MUSER to:

Ensure students placed in private schools have the same rights as those placed in public schools.
Allow private schools to be parties in special education dispute resolution proceedings, specifically mediations, due process hearings, and expedited due process hearings.
Provide a clear administrative process for resolving disputes involving SAUs, private schools, and families.

The specific changes the Maine DOE is making to MUSER can be found in the rulemaking documents on the Maine DOE website. Again, as an emergency filing, the rule is effective today, June 12, 2026, and remains in effect for a period of not more than one year. The Maine DOE will be promulgating a proposed permanent change to MUSER in the near future for consideration by the 133rd Maine Legislature.

Questions may be submitted to Maine DOE Legislative Team member Laura Cyr at 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333, 207-446-8791, or laura.cyr@maine.gov.

2026 Waldo County Teacher of the Year Brings Economics to Life for Monroe Elementary School Students

2026 Waldo County Teacher of the Year Rachel Norgang (standing in the back of the group) poses with her students.

Norgang, who was recently named the 2026 Waldo County Teacher of the Year, has spent the past four years bringing her students out into the Monroe community for an annual “Entrepreneur Roadshow.” This field experience is part of an, place-based social studies unit on the economy, designed to help students understand economic concepts such as goods and services, wants and needs, and the distinct roles businesses play in communities.

“Making this lesson place-based and focused on local businesses is more engaging for students,” Norgang said. “My first goal is student learning, and not far behind that is another goal: to increase buy-in and support for our school within the greater Monroe community.”

After some learning in the classroom, students spend an entire day meeting local entrepreneurs and seeing firsthand how businesses operate.

This year’s Entrepreneur Roadshow included visits to four Monroe-area businesses:

Davis Dirtworks, where owner Derek Davis showed students a working gravel pit and quarry operation, explained heavy equipment, and answered questions about running a business.

Second Frost Farm, where owners James Gagne and Naomi Brautigam guided students through hoop houses, vegetable fields, wash stations, and cold storage rooms. Students also sampled sauerkraut made from farm-grown produce.

The Barn at Rosemoore, where owner Ashlie Stubbs welcomed students to tour the event venue, learn about hosting weddings and celebrations, and enjoy lunch in the barn.

The studio and grounds of bronze sculptor Forest Hart, where students explored outdoor sculptures, toured the artist’s workspace, and learned about the creative and business sides of professional art.

Throughout the day, students asked thoughtful questions such as:

Why did you decide to start your business?
What is the hardest part of running your business?
What is your favorite part of running your business?
What does a successful year look like?
What advice do you have for us in school and life?

The experience left a lasting impression on students.

After tasting sauerkraut at Second Frost Farm, one student enthusiastically declared, “This is the best thing my tongue has ever touched.”

Another student, inspired by the work of sculptor Forest Hart, remarked, “This guy should be famous.”

Back in the classroom, students reflected on what they learned before launching into a persuasive writing project. Using facts gathered during the field trip and opinions they formed about the businesses, students began creating advertisements designed to attract customers.

“We are convincing people to go to the businesses!” one student explained during a lesson discussion.

Students brainstormed the most compelling features of each business, developed persuasive hooks, and drafted advertisements highlighting the products, services, and experiences offered by these local entrepreneurs.

Some of the student-created opening lines included:

“Do you hear that engine roaring? It’s probably Derek from Davis Dirtworks!”
“Do you see that bronze sculpture right in your way? That was built by Forest Hart!”
“Have you heard of Second Frost Farm? They have a variety of vegetables.”
“Would you believe you can have a baby shower at The Barn at Rosemoore?”

Students are now revising and illustrating their advertisements before recording narrated presentations that will be shared digitally with business owners, families, and the broader community.

Norgang credits Monroe Elementary School Principal Jodie Dupuy for helping make projects like this possible.

“I have a great principal who supports and encourages connections to the community,” Norgang said.

The Entrepreneur Roadshow exemplifies the power of place-based education—connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences, while strengthening relationships between schools and their communities. For Norgang’s students, economics is no longer an abstract concept. It’s the farm down the road, the quarry in town, the event venue hosting celebrations, and the artist creating sculptures in their own community.

Through experiences like these, students gain a deeper understanding of how local businesses contribute to the economy while developing critical thinking, communication, and writing skills that will serve them well in the future.

This story was written in collaboration with Monroe Elementary School in RSU 3. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

Maine Educators Honored as 2026 Curriculum Leader and Instructional Coach of the Year

This year, the MCLA has named Dawn McLaughlin, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Teaching and Learning for School Union 93, as 2026 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year and Alicia Sirois, Instructional Coach for MSAD 52, as 2026 Maine Instructional Coach of the Year.

Curriculum leaders and instructional coaches help ensure that educators have the resources, guidance, and professional learning opportunities necessary to meet the diverse needs of Maine students. These annual awards recognize those educational leaders who exemplify excellence in supporting curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional growth, while fostering positive outcomes for educators and students across Maine, and who play critical roles in supporting high-quality teaching and learning throughout the state.

Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year
Dawn McLaughlin, Assistant Superintendent and Director of Teaching and Learning for School Union 93

Dawn McLaughlin graduated from the University of Maine in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. While she was searching for a job after graduation, her father encouraged her to explore a career in education. She accepted a position as an Educational Technician (Ed Tech) III at Center Drive School in Orrington and quickly discovered a passion for the field that would shape her career.

In 1992, McLaughlin moved to Stonington and joined Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School as an Ed Tech III. Five years later, she became a middle-level language arts teacher, a role she held for 24 years. Committed to continuous professional growth, she earned a master’s degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in December 2014.

In November 2015, McLaughlin was hired as the Curriculum Coordinator for School Union 93, where she supported curriculum development and instructional improvement across the district. In 2023, she was appointed Assistant Superintendent and Director of Teaching and Learning for School Union 93, continuing her commitment to advancing educational excellence for students and educators.

Maine Instructional Coach of the Year
Alicia Sirois, Instructional Coach for MSAD 52

Alicia Sirois earned her undergraduate degree from Elmira College in New York, where she majored in English Literature and Secondary Education. She later earned a master’s degree in Literacy Education from the University of Southern Maine and holds a Literacy Coach Certificate through Maine Partnerships in Comprehensive Literacy at the University of Maine.

Sirois spent 13 years as an English teacher at Leavitt Area High School, where she fostered a love of reading, writing, and learning among her students. Four years ago, she transitioned into the role of Instructional Coach at Leavitt, where she now supports educators in strengthening instructional practices and improving student learning outcomes. Her work reflects a deep commitment to literacy, professional growth, and educational excellence.

The Maine DOE congratulates Dawn McLaughlin and Alicia Sirois on these well-deserved honors and thanks them for their leadership, service, and commitment to advancing educational excellence in Maine schools.

Content for this article was submitted by the Maine Curriculum Leaders Association. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

Augusta Schools Receives Later Secondary School Start Time Planning Grant

In accordance with L.D. 396, Resolves 2025, Chapter 110 and Rule Chapter 54, the Later Secondary School Start Time Planning Grant must be used to support the costs associated with the research, analyses, and development of planning around changing secondary school start times to 8:30 a.m. or later. As such, Augusta Schools will use these grant funds to lead a thorough, community-informed process to explore the possibility of later secondary school start times at Cony Middle and High School. Over the contract period from June 1 to September 10, 2026, the school department will pursue a structured sequence of planning activities designed to synthesize the evaluation and analyses of later secondary school start time at these schools.

At the heart of this effort will be a cross-functional leadership and planning team, comprised of administrators, principals, transportation staff, and parent and student representatives. The team will set goals, oversee all planning activities, and conduct dedicated sessions to project the full operational and budgetary impact of a schedule change. Grant funds will support stipends and compensated planning time for team members, as well as the personnel time required for scheduling, communications, recordkeeping, and grant compliance to keep the initiative running smoothly throughout the planning period.

Community engagement will be central to the process. The school department will implement a multi-faceted communication strategy to keep families, staff, students, and community partners involved at every stage. Public forums will be held at accessible times and locations, including virtual options. Targeted outreach will connect internal and external stakeholders, such as students, after-school programs, faculty and staff, parents, transportation service providers, and municipal partners. Surveys and focus groups will gather representative data to ensure that diverse community perspectives are heard, reflected, and analyzed throughout the planning process and provide additional qualitative depth from specific stakeholder populations. Translation and interpretation services will be integrated throughout to ensure equitable access for families whose primary language is not English. Printed and digital materials, including translated formats, will be available for all community events and planning sessions.

The school department will also conduct dedicated transportation studies in direct partnership with its existing provider, First Student, to evaluate routing, scheduling, and cost implications of a start time change. This operations analysis is anticipated to assess contract capacity, model adjusted schedules, and project any additional vehicle, staffing, or cost requirements.

Drawing together findings from community engagement, transportation analysis, and budget projections, leadership will synthesize the data into a formal final summary report as part of the grant award, to be shared with the Maine DOE. Throughout the planning period, grant funds will also support the administrative resources needed to fulfill all Maine DOE reporting requirements, including progress reports, financial documentation, and the final report.

Athens Community School Brings Families Together Through “One School, One Book” Earth Day Project

An Athens Community School student’s work as part of the “One School, One Book” Earth Day Project.

This year, Athens Community School selected The Lorax by Dr. Seuss as the book that all students would be reading for the project to coincide with Earth Day on April 22. Following the themes of the book, students and their families then participated in a variety of eco-friendly activities throughout the project, including a bottle drive and a trip to Waterville Creates for a viewing of The Lorax movie.

One of the highlights of the project was the “Trash Art” competition, which encouraged students to use recyclable objects to create artwork for categories such as “The Spirit of the Lorax,” “Most Creative,” and more. The school favorite was a Lite-Brite board made of recycled wood and plastic water bottles, which served as the pegs (pictured below).

To celebrate student and family participation in the project, two local businesses donated prizes for those who completed a feedback survey: a reusable shopping bag with the Athens Community School logo and a “Save the Bees” flower kit. Student participants also received a homework pass to forgo one homework assignment.

More student proejcts:

The project was spearheaded by Aneta Lempicka, the Athens Community School’s Title I teacher, with support from school librarian Hannah Luce, who assembled and distributed family activity packets.

Local families said they enjoyed the change of pace, with one remarking, “We are a VERY busy family, so this gave us all a chance to slow down and do something fun together.”

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

SUN Bucks and SUN Meals Programs Return in the Summer of 2026 to Aid Food Access for Maine Children

SUN Meals

SUN Meals provides free meals to youth 18 years of age and younger in communities where more than half of the children meet income guidelines. Sites are typically designated at neighborhood locations, including schools, parks, nonprofit residential summer camps, government agencies, and tax-exempt organizations (including faith-based organizations). Many schools across Maine offer SUN Meals and can provide details regarding how to access meals. Additionally, in mid to late June, the USDA Summer Meals Site Finder will have locations of Maine SUN Meals sites.

SUN Meals-To-Go provides pick-up and delivery options in eligible rural areas where transportation may make access to congregate meal sites more difficult. This information is also included on the USDA site finder.

With questions about SUN Meals, please contact adriane.ackroyd@maine.gov or 207-620-6017 or visit the USDA Summer Nutrition Programs webpage.

SUN Bucks

SUN Bucks, managed by the Maine DHHS Office of Family Independence (OFI), is designed to supplement families’ grocery budgets over the summer when school is out of session by providing a one-time $120 food benefit per school-aged child. That benefit may be used at authorized retailers, such as grocery stores and farmers’ markets, to purchase healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, meats, whole grains, dairy, and other protein sources. SUN Bucks occurs in addition to SUN Meals, and children may participate in both programs.

Most children eligible for SUN Bucks will be automatically enrolled based on participation in other public benefit programs. Families will automatically receive SUN Bucks if they have a child(s) who attends a school that serves National School Lunch Program meals and who participates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or MaineCare with a household income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), or who is identified by OFI or the Maine DHHS Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) as foster, homeless, or migrant.

Most eligible households have already received a SUN Bucks eligibility notice from OFI and will receive benefits in the following ways:

For SNAP-eligible households, benefits will be loaded onto the household’s existing P-EBT card (also called the Pine Tree EBT card).
For former P-EBT or SUN Bucks households not currently receiving SNAP, benefits will be added to the previously issued P-EBT card.
For newly eligible households not currently receiving SNAP, a new P-EBT card with preloaded benefits will be mailed to the household.

Please note that families who no longer have their P-EBT card may request a replacement card through pinetreecard.com or by calling 800-477-7428.

Families who have not been notified of automatic enrollment by mid-June, but who believe their children may qualify based on the above criteria, may apply for SUN Bucks through My Maine Connection or by mail. Applications must be received by August 15, 2026, and benefits must be used within approximately four months of when they were issued.

With questions, please visit the Maine DHHS SUN Bucks webpage.

Guidance for Special Provision Schools

Community Eligibility Provision: Students who are not part of a household that already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, MaineCare at 185% FPL, and who are not identified as foster, homeless, or migrant by OFI or OCFS, but who do meet the requirements for free or reduced-price meal benefit, must apply for SUN Bucks.
Provision 2: Students who are not part of a household that already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, MaineCare at 185% FPL, and who are not identified as foster, homeless, or migrant by OFI or OCFS, but who do meet the requirements for free or reduced-price meal benefit, must apply for SUN Bucks (in most cases).

How to Help Spread the Word

Schools are encouraged to share information with families about the SUN Bucks and SUN Meals programs. Suggestions include:

Promoting the locations and operating times of SUN Meals and SUN Meals-To-Go sites.
Encouraging families with children who will automatically be enrolled in SUN Bucks to ensure their mailing address is up to date by calling OFI at 855-797-4357.
Telling families to keep an eye out for a letter notifying them of automatic SUN Bucks enrollment, a new card in the mail, or a balance increase on their existing P-EBT card in early June.
Encouraging families who have not received notice of automatic enrollment by mid-June, but who may have eligible children, to apply for SUN Bucks.

Additionally, schools may consider using the flyer linked below to help spread the word about SUN Bucks and direct families to the Maine DHHS SUN Bucks webpage for more information about the program and how to apply. Families may also call OFI at 855-797-4357 and select option 5 to speak with an eligibility specialist about SUN Bucks.

SUN Bucks USDA Outreach Flyer (PDF) in English
Other languages: العربية | Français | Español | Português | Lingala | Soomaali | Русский | 简体中文 | Tiếng Việt | Kiswahili | ខ្មែរ | Kinyarwanda

Thank you for helping to raise awareness about these important programs and ensuring that Maine children get the nutrition they need to thrive this summer.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

(1) mail:

            U.S. Department of Agriculture
            Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
            1400 Independence Avenue, SW
            Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

(2) fax:

(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email:
program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The Maine Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion, ancestry, or national origin.

Complaints of discrimination must be filed at the office of the Maine Human Rights Commission, 51 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0051. If you wish to file a discrimination complaint electronically, visit the Human Rights Commission website at https://www.maine.gov/mhrc/file/instructions and complete an intake questionnaire. Maine is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Reflections from a Successful Third Annual Maine DOE ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit

More than 150 students and educators representing 15 schools attended the summit, which is organized in a job fair format. Throughout the morning and afternoon, students peruse hands-on, interactive booths by nearly 30 local businesses, allowing for meaningful career exploration. The theme of the summit is in the name: “I Belong.”

The summit is made possible through planning support from the Regional Transition Collaborative (RTC) Fellows and the Executive Student Transition (EST) Committee of the Transition Maine program, established by the Maine DOE in 2022 in an effort to provide equitable and inclusive post-secondary transition services for students with disabilities.

The RTC Fellows are Maine educators who work in their individual regions to establish collaboratives of educators, vocational rehabilitation counselors, families, self-advocates, businesses, and community organizations to support students with disabilities in their transition to adult living. The EST Committee is comprised of students with a diverse range of abilities who work to champion the cause behind the “I Belong” summit, along with other inclusion work.

“This event fosters a sense of belonging, independence, and community involvement that extends far beyond a single day,” Jessica Rubera, an RTC Fellow and transition specialist at Noble High School, said of the summit, adding that it allows students the chance to “explore careers, develop self-confidence, and connect with professionals.”

A table display at the Third Annual Maine DOE ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit

A table display with a bingo game called "My Future, My Plan" game.

Students interacting with the Central Maine Power outdoor table display at the Third Annual Maine DOE ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit.

Students and summit goers talking with people at indoor table displays at the Third Annual Maine DOE ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit.

A picture of the audience in the main room at the Third Annual Maine DOE ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit.

Students and summit participants arriving to the Third Annual Maine DOE ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit.

Melissa Burgess, an RTC fellow and special education teacher at South Portland High School, said she believes the group met their goal this year of creating “opportunities that empower young people to discover their potential, build meaningful connections, and prepare for successful futures.”

Teg Coiley, a member of the EST Committee since spring of 2025, said he feels the summit is an important opportunity for students to see themselves represented.

“It’s good to show that there are positions and opportunities that are open to people who need support, versus them thinking, ‘I can’t do it,’” Coiley said.

Joshua Ellis, a member of the EST Committee since February 2024, said his work with Transition Maine has led to his own self-discovery of wanting to be an automotive car mechanic in adulthood. He echoed Coiley’s sentiment through his message for other students.

“You can do more than what your disability says,” Ellis expressed. “This summit is going to help you do that.”

One of the students in attendance at this year’s summit was Olivia M. from Falmouth High School. Olivia has Down syndrome and is preparing to graduate in just a few weeks. She said she is excited to attend a two-year college program and then enter the medical field.

“I love saving people’s lives and teaching people first aid,” Olivia shared, later adding, “I love to help people with disabilities.”

That positive sentiment applies to the businesses that attended the summit, too. KC Fairfield, Manager of Clinical Nursing Education for MaineHealth’s Academic Affairs and Workforce Development, said her team wanted a booth to demonstrate that the health care industry is replete with a variety of job opportunities.

“From entry-level to experienced nurses, we really believe that there is a place for everybody in health care,” Fairfield said. “It was really important for us when we heard about this event to be a part of this exciting opportunity to show everybody across Maine—all of our youth—that there could be opportunity for them to join health care, as well.”

Fairfield added that diversity in the health care workforce is extremely important.

“We care for diverse folks,” Fairfield said. “In order to have proper representation, we really feel it is important to have caregivers who may truly understand what the patients are going through.”

Rachel Morris of the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center also stressed the importance of representation at her booth.

“I think that everyone deserves to feel special, included, and worthy of a social community and people who love them,” Morris said. “That’s really the heart of the work for me is making sure that everyone knows how amazing and loved they are and how independent they can be.”

For educators like Sarah Wilbur, a special education teacher and case manager at Falmouth High School, the summit was a positive, uplifting experience for her and her students.

“Everyone has been spectacular. They stepped right up to each student and met them where they’re at and what they need,” Wilbur acknowledged.

For these students, part of that process involves embracing the unknowns and making space for the many possibilities before them after high school graduation.

“It’s nice to be with people who think and feel in a similar way and have similar uneasiness about what they’re going to do with graduating and work,” Wilbur shared. “That levels the playing field.”

The third annual “I Belong” Youth Summit created a space “to inspire, collaborate, and connect through practical hands-on learning and career development opportunities, while celebrating a robust community of Mainers,” Liam Danaher, RTC Fellow and ELO coordinator at Noble High School, shared. Celebrating the diverse work opportunities in Maine and all the ways in which students with exceptionalities can become involved in the workforce after high school is work the Maine DOE plans to continue doing and hopes to share in more regions across the state.

If your region is interested in hosting a local Youth Summit, or if you would like to learn more about the EST Committee, please contact Maine DOE Special Projects Coordinator Tracy Whitlock at tracy.w.whitlock@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Update – June 5, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Maine DOE Welcomes 10 Student Interns for the Summer of 2026

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) recently welcomed 10 student interns to its team. These interns will spend the summer working on several teams within the Maine DOE, bringing a variety of new skills, backgrounds, and experiences to the department. | More

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. | More

2025 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year Ben Johnson Earns National Recognition for Innovative Latin Education Resources

Ben Johnson, the 2025 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year and a finalist for 2026 Maine State Teacher of the Year, has earned national recognition from the American Classical League for his outstanding contributions to Latin education through innovative technology-based learning resources used by students and teachers around the world. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

From Rookie to Role Model: Windham High School Mock CSI Unit Creates a Full-Circle Return to the Scene

“When will I ever use this after high school?” It’s a question that teachers have heard echo through classrooms for decades. From math equations to lab reports to literary analysis, students often wonder how today’s lessons will matter in their future. But what happens when learning moves beyond the classroom and into the real world—where students are exposed to the ways in which math, science, and English are not only useful but necessary to succeed? | More

Elementary School Community Meetings Give Portland Students Opportunities for Leadership

Students at Rowe Elementary School in the Portland Public Schools have stepped into leadership roles this year in a big way during the school’s first-ever community meeting assembly for third- through fifth-grade students. | More

Brewer School Department Alternative Education Programs: A Connected Pathway from Middle School Through Graduation

Brewer School Department’s alternative education programs have developed into a connected system of supports that begins in middle school and continues through multiple high school pathways, offering students flexible options for learning, engagement, and graduation. | More

Mountain Valley High School Expands Career Pathways Through Extended Learning Opportunities

Since launching in the fall of 2024, the Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Program at Mountain Valley High School in RSU 10 has provided students with meaningful, real-world learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to careers, higher education, and long-term success. Led by Christopher Brennick, Mountain Valley High School ELO Coordinator, the program has quickly become a model for how authentic, community-connected learning can raise student aspirations and expand access to opportunity, particularly in rural western Maine. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Registration Open for ElevatED 2026: Maine DOE Annual Summit and Every Teacher a Leader Conference

Registration Open for ‘MCSTOYA Connects: Neurodivergent Reads 2026’ Summer Learning Experience

The Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association (MCSTOYA), in partnership with the Maine Council for English Language Arts (MCELA), is inviting educators from across Maine to participate in MCSTOYA Connects: Neurodivergent Reads 2026, a summer professional learning experience focused on neurodiversity, inclusive practices, and the power of literature to foster understanding, empathy, and connection. | More

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Maine DOE Seeking Contractor to Support Seal of Biliteracy, World Language Education, and Pine Project Coordination

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is seeking a contracted educational professional to support statewide work related to world language education during the 2026-2027 school year. | More

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine DOE Invites Applications for Screener Review and Recommendation Project

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.