Category: Media Releases

Poland teacher named 2013 Teacher of the Year

Shannon Shanning, seventh and eight grade special education teacher at Whitter Middle School in Poland, is named Maine's 2013 Teacher of the Year.
Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen presents Maine’s 2013 Teacher of the Year award to Shannon Shanning, seventh- and eighth-grade special education teacher at Whittier Middle School. Click here to view more photos from this event.

POLAND – Shannon Shanning, a seventh- and eighth-grade special education teacher at Whittier Middle School, was named the 2013 Maine Teacher of the Year in front of students, colleagues, family and other distinguished guests Monday. In keeping with Maine tradition, Shanning was not informed ahead of time that the “all-school assembly” was called to honor her.

Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen presented Shanning with the award – the first awarded to a special education teacher as far back as program records indicate. Bowen also read a letter of congratulations from Governor Paul LePage.

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First Lady Ann LePage announces “Maine is ME Student Art Challenge”

The following press release was issued today by First Lady Ann LePage.

AUGUSTA – First Lady Ann LePage is announcing the Maine is ME Student Art Challenge, in partnership with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

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Commission issues request for charter school proposals

The following is a news release from the Maine Charter School Commission.

AUGUSTA – The Maine Charter School Commission announced last week it will accept applications from potential charter school operators who hope to open schools for the 2013-14 school year.

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Flags to be flown half-staff Friday, August 31

The Governor’s Office has issued the following notice:

AUGUSTA – In accordance with a Presidential proclamation, the United States flag and the State of Maine flag shall be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Friday, August 31, 2012, to honor the passing of astronaut Neil Armstrong.

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Gov. LePage and Commissioner Bowen hold joint news conference on education

Governor LePage and Commissioner Bowen discuss educational system
Governor LePage and Commissioner Bowen answer questions about Maine’s rankings in a recent education study released by Harvard University.

The following is a news release from the Office of Gov. Paul LePage.

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul LePage and Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen held a joint media conference today in the Cabinet Room at the State Capitol to discuss the results of a recent study released by Harvard University’s Program on Education Policy and Governance. Gov. LePage and Commissioner Bowen explained these results and what they mean for Maine. They also unveiled a new initiative to revitalize Maine’s educational system: the ABC plan.

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Harvard study shows Maine at the bottom in education achievement growth

The following is a news release from the Office of Gov. Paul LePage.

AUGUSTA – Gov. Paul LePage said Wednesday he is extremely concerned by 20 years of education efforts that have resulted in almost no gains in student achievement. He called on his education commissioner, school administrators and teacher unions to step up efforts at implementing innovative practices focused on student learning.

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