Category: Media Releases

Press Release: 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year State Finalists Announced

Four Maine teachers were announced today as the State Finalists for the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year program. Second-grade teacher Joshua Chard from Cumberland County, sixth-grade writing and social studies teacher Edith Berger from Lincoln County, fifth-grade science teacher Lacey Todd from Oxford County, and high school science teacher Colleen Maker from Washington County were all selected to move forward in the Teacher of the Year process and were chosen from the 2023 Maine County Teachers of the Year.

“Colleen, Edith, Joshua, and Lacey are all extraordinary educators who care deeply about their students, schools, and communities. They lift up everyone around them, are passionate about their profession, and are true champions of all students and schools in Maine. These four finalists represent the best qualities of Maine’s amazing educators, and I congratulate them on this very well-deserved honor,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.

One of the four State Finalists will be named the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year, an honor awarded each year to one teacher in Maine. The announcement will be in October after the final stages of the selection process are complete. Maine’s Teacher of the Year serves as an advocate for the teaching profession, Maine schools, and students, and represents Maine in the National Teacher of the Year program.

A member of their community nominated each educator for their exemplary service in education and dedication to their students. They were selected by a distinguished panel of teachers, principals, and business community members from a pool of hundreds of other nominated teachers in their communities. The Maine Department of Education, Educate Maine, the Maine State Board of Education, and the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association made the announcement about the finalists.

“Maine is fortunate to have so many outstanding educators working to ensure that every learner has what they need to be successful,” said Dr. Jason Judd, Executive Director of Educate Maine. “These state finalists are great examples of all the dynamic and versatile teaching that happens each day in our Maine classrooms. Congratulations to them and their districts. We look forward to working with them as they continue their journey as teacher leaders and ambassadors for the profession.”

“Our teaching workforce drives the quality of our schools and education system here in Maine, and these state finalists exemplify the qualities we look for. They’re innovative, dedicated, and committed to ensuring all Maine learners receive a high quality and supportive education,” said Maine State Board of Education Chair Desjardins. “Congratulations to all!”

“Congratulations to these four wonderful teachers! The hard work, dedication, and love they put into all they do and the commitment they show to their communities, schools, and students is inspiring,” said Matt Bernstein, 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year.  “I am grateful to these four educators for representing the incredible work that happens in classrooms and schools all over Maine. I am tremendously proud of them. It is an honor to know them and learn from them.”

“Maine educators support their students, families, and communities with professionalism, compassion, and commitment,” said Heather Whitaker, 2020 Maine Teacher of the Year and President of the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association (MCSTOYA). “Our finalists, who come from all across the state, are leaders in this work. We look forward to learning from their expertise as we work together in our shared commitment to Maine public education.”

More information on the State Finalists and the Maine Teacher of the Year program:

Joshua Chard, East End Community School, Portland, 2023 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year

Joshua Chard
East End Community School, Portland
2023 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year

“Teachers across our state do amazing things in their classrooms every day. Being a finalist for Maine Teacher of the Year provides me with a platform to share and celebrate the incredible work happening in Portland Public Schools and in schools all across Maine. I am humbled and proud to stand among such amazing professionals.” 

2023 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard is a second and third-grade looping teacher at East End Community School and the drama director at Deering High School in Portland, Maine. His approach to designing and implementing curriculum for young learners always starts through a culturally responsive lens. Joyful relationships are at the heart of everything Chard does in his classroom and he is inspired every day by the honor of lifting up and celebrating his diverse learners. Chard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in theater from the University of Southern Maine, a Master of Science degree in Education with a K-6 Literacy focus from the University of New England, and a Certificate in K-6 Standards Based Mathematics from The American College of Education. He is also certified as a K-12 teacher of English to speakers of other languages. During his 31-year career, he has been an educational technician, has taught fourth and fifth grade, and has been an instructional coach with a focus on mathematics. Chard is proud to teach in two of the most culturally diverse schools north of Boston, having passionately dedicated his entire career to working in high-needs, urban schools, and he is excited to have a platform to share the amazing work that is happening there. Outside of school, Chard can be found participating in local theater as an actor and director and exploring Maine’s beaches and lighthouses with his husband and their grandsons.

Edith Berger
Miller School, Waldoboro
2023 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year  

“Being a part of the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year program is an opportunity to lift the voices and amplify the experiences of all teachers in Maine and beyond. My school, administration, colleagues, and district have supported me in my growth as a teacher leader and I owe the same to others in education no matter where they teach.”

Edith Berger is a teacher of writing and social studies in 6th grade at Miller School in Waldoboro, Maine, RSU 40. Berger has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with concentrations in art and architectural history and psychology from Ithaca College and a Masters of Education in Literacy: Writing and the Teaching of Writing from the University of Maine, Orono. She is the 2023 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year. A 2013 Fellow of the Maine Writing Project, her poetry and essays have been published in several anthologies. Berger considers mentoring her mission in life. She is especially passionate about using mentoring to help other teachers integrate civics into their classrooms. Berger feels that sharing excitement, knowledge and strengths with each other benefits teachers across all grade levels and content areas. By explicitly teaching and embedding the traits of good citizenship across the curriculum, she believes children will grow up to respect the rights and beliefs of others and contribute to a civil society. Whether presenting at an international literacy conference about teachers teaching teachers, mentoring new teachers and graduate students in their craft and leadership, or representing social studies in her district and state, Berger demonstrates her commitment to the profession of teaching as well as to the subject of social studies. When not at school or doing other “teachery” things, Berger can be found writing in a noisy coffee shop, reading history geek nonfiction or baking goodies she shouldn’t eat to satisfy her husband’s sweet tooth.

Lacey Todd, Mountain Valley Middle School, Mexico, 2023 Oxford County Teacher of the Year

Lacey Todd
Mountain Valley Middle School, Mexico
2023 Oxford County Teacher of the Year  

“The Teacher of the Year program has provided me with an opportunity to recognize and honor those who have supported my journey in education.  This award represents the hard work and dedication of my teaching team, who support and challenge me every day; my husband, who spends his evenings and weekends working in my classroom; and my parents, who made countless sacrifices to ensure my success as a first-generation college student.”

Lacey Todd is a fifth-grade science teacher at Mountain Valley Middle School in Mexico, Maine. Todd earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Farmington, Master of Education in Inclusion Education and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Literacy K-12 from the University of New England, Education Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Walden University, and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Todd grew up in Oxford County, where she continues to live and teach, which is why she takes great pride in being named the 2023 Oxford County Teacher of the Year. Todd is a Maine Science Teachers Association board member, completed a three-year term on the Maine Professional Standards Board, and was selected as a mentor for the national Diversity in STEM Education Summit in 2020 and 2023. She is also a Next Generation Science eXemplar facilitator and advocates for the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards at all grade levels, especially elementary. Todd is a teacher leader in her district, serving on several committees, including Staff Council, Technology, Certification, and Contract Negotiation, and is a mentor for new and pre-service teachers. Todd is especially passionate about making science education engaging and accessible to all students and regularly seeks out professional learning opportunities that promote collaboration, authentic learning experiences, and inclusion. When she’s not teaching or tending to her menagerie of class pets, you can find her camping or exploring the Maine woods with her husband and their golden retriever, Ruby.

Colleen Maker, Washington Academy, East Machias, 2023 Washington County Teacher of the Year

Colleen Maker
Washington Academy, East Machias
2023 Washington County Teacher of the Year  

“It’s an honor to represent Washington Academy and Washington County in the Maine Teacher of the Year Program, and I’m thankful to my students, colleagues, administrators, community partners, family, and husband, Joshua, for fueling and nurturing my passion and love for teaching. Being part of a program that celebrates teachers across Maine is truly exciting, especially in a state where incredible things are unfolding in our classrooms and communities.”

Colleen Maker teaches biology and marine biology at Washington Academy in East Machias, Maine.  Maker has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Machias. Maker is the 2023 Washington County Teacher of the Year. Maker’s pedagogy revolves around experiential learning and emphasizes student engagement through hands-on experiences and community partnerships. She integrates the curriculum with real-world applications, fostering lifelong learners who are productive community members and responsible stewards of their environment. She creates student leadership opportunities by advising homeroom, student council, science club, and sustainability club. As a member of the Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee, she collaborates with colleagues to develop and implement initiatives that foster a safe and accepting environment for all. Her commitment to creating a sense of belonging is evident in her efforts to ensure everyone feels welcomed and valued.

Maker seeks opportunities to engage with other science educators and is a member of the Connected Learning Ecosystems cohort sponsored by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. She was the 2022 recipient of the prestigious University of Maine Volunteer Pen Award for her dedication to the Washington Academy Community Garden, which donates all produce to the Machias Food Pantry.  Maker is passionate about fighting food insecurity in her community and provides opportunities for students to volunteer by caring for the garden, participating in gleaning initiatives, and supporting personal care share drives. While not teaching, Maker cherishes time with her family camping, playing board games, reading, and exploring beaches.

The Maine Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year program is administered through a unique partnership with Educate Maine, the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association (MCSTOYA) and the Maine State Board of Education. Funding for the program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River, Geiger, Hannaford, Maine Lottery, Pratt and Whitney, the Silvernail Family, and Unum.

For more information about the Maine County Teacher of the Year Program and to see a list of County Teachers of the Year, and Maine Teachers of the Year, visit http://www.mainetoy.org.

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Press Release: Mills Administration Announces Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan Initiative to Expand Educator Apprenticeships in Maine Schools

The Mills Administration announced today a new initiative to help Maine schools recruit, train, and retain educators through pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.

The initiative, funded in part by Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, is part of a larger overall effort by the Mills Administration to connect employers with a skilled workforce and workers with career opportunities. The initiative was unveiled during a visit to the Gorham School District by Commissioner of Labor Laura Fortman and Deputy Commissioner of Education Dan Chuhta.

Under the initiative, schools and other education and community-related organizations can apply for competitive funding, with awards of up to $250,000 to begin local educator pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs to help address Maine’s educator workforce shortage.

“As the daughter of a longtime public school teacher, I deeply and personally understand the lifelong impact that teachers have on their students, schools, and communities,” said Governor Janet Mills. “A teacher can make all the difference in the life of a student, and we should do what we can to ensure that those who want to advance in the teaching profession have the opportunity to do so. These apprenticeship programs are important to help educators take the next step in their careers. Using funding from my Jobs Plan, we will help Maine schools find the teachers they need and support educators on the path to fulfilling careers as they make a difference in the lives of our children.”

The initiative expands a program launched last year at Washington County Community College and the Gorham School District. The Gorham program – supported by the Maine Department of Labor and the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce – partners with Southern Maine Community College and the University of Southern Maine to provide classroom training to current education technicians from multiple schools in Cumberland and York counties. These apprentices work in the classrooms during the school day while they advance their career to become certified Education Technicians II, creating a pathway to continue their education and become certified teachers.

The program was created after the Maine Department of Education last year released its Teach Maine plan, in partnership with educators and stakeholders, to bolster the teacher workforce through innovative recruitment and retention strategies, including programs like apprenticeships. With encouragement from the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor, Maine joined several other states in launching apprenticeships in educator occupations with new programs at Washington County Community College and the Gorham School District.

“The Maine Department of Labor works with employers to fulfill their workforce needs and works to connect Maine’s people to high quality jobs. One way that we do this is through mutually beneficial registered apprenticeships,” said Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor. “Registered Apprenticeship is an excellent training model for schools to use, as it supports those already working in Maine’s schools to advance down the path of becoming a certified teacher, while continuing to earn an income.”

“The Maine Department of Education is committed to ensuring that everyone who wants to be a teacher in Maine has a pathway into the profession and is supported in the classroom. Teacher apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships offer a meaningful pathway to recruit, prepare, and support aspiring educators and these programs are aligned to the strategies embedded in our Teach Maine plan to build a robust teacher workforce in our state. We are excited to partner with the Department of Labor to invest in pilot programs that will lead to an effective teacher apprenticeship model for Maine,” said Pender Makin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education.

“The Maine Education Association is committed to quality public education for our students and during a time when we have many open positions across the state we need to focus on innovative solutions to attract and retain the best into the profession. While increasing educator pay is crucial, teacher apprenticeship grants can also help show Maine is ready to invest in both the aspirations of our aspiring educators and the growth of our state. Together, we can cultivate a robust teacher workforce and pave the way for generations of students to thrive,” said Grace Leavitt, President of the Maine Education Association.

“As Maine faces a critical shortage of educators, these programs will provide aspiring educators with valuable hands-on experience in real classroom settings. This practical exposure allows aspiring educators to apply theoretical knowledge and develop practical teaching skills under the guidance of experienced mentors.   These programs will play a crucial role in preparing new teachers for the challenges and demands of the classroom, bridge the gap between theory and practice, foster skill development, and contribute to the overall improvement of education systems, said Eileen King, Executive Director of the Maine School Superintendents Association.

“The Educator Apprentice Program has been fundamental in many ways,” said Kathy Dol, a participant in Gorham’s educator apprenticeship program. “The structure of this program, relative to the small class size and expectations, allows for achievable success that has been nothing short of a welcome surprise. You can be sure this program will fit your extended educational goals. Education is a continuous area that allows educators to add to our toolbox that is never filled. That what I gain out of this apprentice program, and I thoroughly enjoy that.”

The expansion of teacher apprenticeship programs is supported by $600,000 in Federal funding, including $100,000 through the Governor’s Jobs Plan and $500,000 through U.S. Department of Labor’s State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity, and Innovation (SAEEI) Grant. Using these grants, schools can partner with Maine Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program to pilot new educator apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.

The number and size of grant awards will depend on the number of proposals received, anticipated number of apprentices served, and available funds. Interested applicants can find more information here. Proposals are due September 25, 2023.

This grant funding opportunity builds on the investment of $12.3 million awarded to expand apprenticeship through the Governor’s Jobs Plan and other Federal funds. The State’s Registered Apprenticeship Program currently has 1,292 active apprentices and 142 registered sponsors, representing 261 participating businesses in Maine.

Apprentices in Maine who completed their program in the last two years increased their wages, on average, by nearly 40 percent. Nationally, 94 percent of apprentices continue their employment with their apprenticeship sponsoring business once their training is complete.

The Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan is the Governor’s plan, approved by the Legislature, to invest nearly $1 billion in Federal American Rescue Plan funds to improve the lives of Maine people and families, help businesses, create good-paying jobs, and build an economy poised for future prosperity.

Since the Jobs Plan took effect in October 2021, the Mills Administration has delivered direct economic relief to nearly 1,000 Maine small businesses, supported more than 100 infrastructure projects around the state to create jobs and revitalize communities, and invested in workforce programs estimated to offer apprenticeship, career and education advancement, and job training opportunities to 22,000 Maine people.

For more about Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, visit maine.gov/jobsplan. For more about Maine’s apprenticeship program, please visit here.

 

Semifinalists for 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year Announced

Eight Maine educators were announced today as the state semifinalists for the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year.  These distinguished educators, who are members of the 2023 County Teacher of the Year cohort, embody the dedication, innovation, and leadership that are hallmarks of Maine’s outstanding classroom teachers. As representatives of their students, colleagues, and school communities, their selection acknowledges their excellence in teaching and celebrates the collective achievements and commitment of the entire teaching profession in Maine.

The semifinalists for the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year:

Educators in the Maine Teacher of the Year Program are nominated by a member of their community for their exemplary service in education and dedication to their students. They were selected by a distinguished panel of teachers, principals, and business community members from a pool of hundreds of nominees.

In the next phase of the selection process, the semifinalists will submit professional portfolios, deliver keynote speeches, and participate in an expert panel discussion on educational equity, teacher leadership, and education policy.  The state finalists will be announced in September, and the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year will be revealed in October. The 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession, representing Maine in the National Teacher of the Year program.

The  Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine through a unique partnership with  the Maine Department of Education with support from the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association (MCSTOYA) and the Maine State Board of Education. Funding for the program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River, Geiger, Hannaford, Maine Lottery, Pratt and Whitney, the Silvernail Family, and Unum.

For more information about the Maine County Teacher of the Year Program and to see a list of County Teachers of the Year, and Maine Teachers of the Year, visit http://www.mainetoy.org.

Media Release: Maine DOE Provides Schools with Additional $2 Million to Expand Summer Learning and Enrichment

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) provided an additional $2 million to 17 school units to expand engaging and meaningful summer learning programs across the state for nearly 1,000 students. The programs focus on helping students recover from the impacts of the pandemic through additional math and literacy instruction, tutoring, hands-on outdoor learning experiences, and family engagement activities. Students have access to meals and get to spend the summer building skills and knowledge and engaging in fun activities with their classmates.  

“These are meaningful summer learning programs that provide students with the academic support they need to recover from the pandemic while also allowing them to explore the outdoor world around them, be creative, engage in project-based learning, build social skills and connections, and have reliable meals,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. 

The summer learning opportunities are paid for using federal emergency relief funding and are in addition to the $2.1 million granted to 63 school administrative units (SAUs) to support summer enrichment programming through the Title I Summer Reallocation Grant. 

Expanded Summer Learning and Enrichment Programs 

East Millinocket School Department
East Millinocket School Department’s extended school year program provides students with high-quality tutoring and intensive reading instruction to support learning growth. Students also participate in immersive outdoor learning opportunities at Baxter State Park and other area destinations.   

East Range II CSD 
East Range II School’s summer day program provides students with learning opportunities that will engage them physically, mentally, and creatively. Programming focuses on instruction as well as providing access to mental health, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services that many students do not have access to over the summer. Students also have access to breakfast, snacks, and lunch during the summer program and monthly access to the school’s food pantry program. 

Students also attend Down East Lakes children’s program once a week to provide hands on experience with natural science and will visit Twin Ponds Nature and Discovery Center to learn about aquatic and land species in their area and in Maine. Student use drawings and writings to document their experiences. Families will come together at a nearby lake for a final family engagement day.  

Fiddlehead School of Arts and Sciences Charter School 
Fiddlehead offers students six weeks of camp activities to continue their learning in literacy and math through hands-on, minds-on enrichment activities. Camp activities include art, theater, musical theater, 3D art, young inventors, paper arts, and clay sculpting. All camps end with a showcase for families and there is extended reading time built into all camp schedules to strengthen literacy skills.  

Hancock Public Schools 
Hancock Grammar School offers students a four-week summer program for literacy using evidence-backed practices. Students will also participate in math programming each day.  

Hope Public Schools 
Hope Public Schools offers students summer programming focused on academic enrichment and the opportunity to grow socially and emotionally. The program provides students an immersive learning opportunity in the school garden, where students measure, predict, write, experiment, and read in the garden. Parents and community members join by reading to children in the garden and distributing food to families.  

Madawaska 
Madawaska Elementary School’s extended educational opportunities provide students with additional targeted learning experiences and instruction, exposure to project-based learning and real-world application, critical thinking skills, and social emotional benefits that emerge from confident learners. The program also includes student visits to the Acadian Village to explore history and language, Four Seasons Outdoor Center to explore natural science concepts and apply math concepts to real life examples, and the University of Maine Fort Kent junior learner’s programs and activities. Families also have access to family math night, early learners open house and information night, reading night in the library, and other family and community events.  

Maine Connections Academy 
Maine Connections Academy’s summer program focuses on students who are credit deficient and lack the class completion needed to graduate on time. The program focuses on re-engaging these students and providing supplemental targeted intensive instruction to complete courses required for promotion/graduation. A parent or adult is designated as each student’s Learning Coach and responsible for documenting attendance for the students throughout the summer school period and coordinators work closely with parents and guardians throughout the summer program to ensure parent engagement. 

Otis Public Schools 
Otis Public School’s four-week summer program provides focused literacy and math interventions to students who are furthest from meeting benchmarks. Student also participate in team-building challenges, STEAM opportunities, and physical activities that engage and motivate students in experiential learning. Students take part in experiential learning opportunities at Lamoine State Park and Bangor Children’s Museum. 

Portland Public Schools 
Portland Public Schools offers students a daily summer program focused on students in need of reading and math recovery instruction. The program also prioritizes students who are experiencing homelessness. Reading and math instruction is combined with hands-on enrichment activities and STEAM instruction.  

MSAD 11 (Gardiner) 
In partnership with The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley in Gardiner, MSAD 11 provides students with academic and enrichment programming to support learning recovery and meet the social and emotional needs of students. Students most in need of academic support, students from low-income households, and students who could greatly benefit from extra social interaction and extra-curricular activity during the summer months are prioritized for the six themed weeks of programming. Summer programming features engaging, hands-on activities that promote learning, have real-world applications, and build on students’ sense of exploration, engagement, and belonging. MSAD 11’s summer program provides academic support in math and reading, project-based learning, health and wellness programs, STEM projects including include visits from Chewonki, a robot coding class, and a field trip to The Maine Wildlife Park, visual and performing arts programs, multicultural education, youth leadership and service learning, and parent engagement throughout, including STEM night, Olympian Week, and the Gardiner Public Library Summer Reading Program. On Tuesdays, parents can come with a bag and take a variety of foods home for free that were all donated by Hannaford and the local food bank.   

RSU 14 (Windham) 
RSU 14’s summer program supports students who need additional early literacy and math instruction. Students attend this summer programing 4 days a week for 4 hours a day and get the support they need to he will program prepare students to smoothly transition to the next grade level by strength knowledge of early literacy and numeracy concepts. Staff also engage with families by providing materials and instructions to support their child at home, including make and take activities for parents in both math and literacy and a parent afternoon tea.  

MSAD 15 (Gray) 
The Patriot Arts and Learning Summer Institute uses an arts and STEM integrated approach to address COVID learning gaps in literacy and numeracy in grades K-4. Students in the program receive daily instruction in literacy, numeracy, arts, and STEM. Students are also be provided breakfast, lunch, and outdoor movement time daily. The Patriot Arts and Learning Institute utilizes a “push-in” field trip model to bring unique and fun opportunities to students aligned with learning. Push-in field trips focus on arts and STEM integration including traveling planetarium, Portland Stage, Portland Ballet, animal rescue outreach, and team building activities. MSAD 15 has also partnered with the local recreation departments to provide before and after care for students in the Patriot Arts and Learning Summer Institute. 

MSAD 17 (Oxford Hills) 
RSU 17’s “Camp Achieves” focuses on engage students in learning through fun, active, hands-on math and science lessons and projects. Additionally, language and literacy will be incorporated into the daily activities. Students will hear from and interact with local beekeepers, farmers, and wildlife specialists and engaging in experiential learning at a community garden and Roberts Farm. Tier II interventions will be provided in both literacy and math. At the close of the program, an ‘open house’ will be held for the purpose of students’ sharing projects with their parents.  

RSU 34 (Old Town) 
RSU 34 offers students and families a variety of summer programming to meet their individual needs, including in-person learning opportunities for students in a four-week model, one-on-one and small group high-dosage tutoring for students spanning the entire summer, an engaging virtual asynchronous option for students to engage in weekly learning objectives with on-call support, and ongoing programming for students delivered through school libraries and school garden. 

MSAD 70 (Hodgdon) 
RSU 70’s summer school focuses on helping students fill learning gaps caused by the pandemic and maintain current learning as well as gain proficiency in student specific learning identified. The summer school also provides exploratory experiences to apply learning in engaging ways through field trips and real-life experiences that encourage reading, science, and math. 

RSU 82/MSAD 12 (Forest Hills/Jackman) 
RSU 82/MSAD 12’s summer learning and enrichment program focuses on the academic and wellbeing needs of students and family engagement through academic instruction and projects, family literacy night, family math night, and a showcase event allowing students to present their summer portfolios to their families.   

Veazie Public Schools 
Veazie Public Schools provides students with targeted instruction over the summer in areas where they may have fallen behind due to the pandemic. Programs include small group instruction, one-on-one support, and targeted interventions to help students catch up on missed content and develop the skills they need to ensure future success. School library services are available to students all summer and families have access to at least two free family movie nights at the school. By actively engaging families in the summer school program, the school hopes to promote a sense of community, support student learning, and foster a positive learning environment for all students. 

Media Release: College and Career Success Coordinators Provide Academic and Career Supports and Help Students Transition to College

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Community College System announced that current and prospective community college students across the state now have access to College and Career Success Coordinators to provide them with academic and career supports and assist them with the transition to college. Through Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan (MJRP) funding, the Success Coordinators have already served more than 1,000 students and helped nearly 400 students develop career and academic plans.

College and Career Success Coordinators work alongside existing community college staff to provide students with:

  • Academic support, including navigating learning platforms, goal setting, creating academic plans, and time management strategies.
  • Transition support for students entering community college.
  • Advising, including success coaching, course collection, troubleshooting, promoting self-agency, career planning, and getting to college completion.
  • Resource referrals on and off campus, including tutoring, financial aid, Adult Education services, housing services, scholarships, workforce opportunities, and community supports.

“The transition to college can be daunting, but now Maine students have access to College and Career Success Coordinators to help them manage that transition with ease and get the help they need to succeed at school and beyond. Success Coordinators are there to help students problem solve and assist them with everything from academic planning to housing and job opportunities,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.  

Maine Adult Education awarded more than 1,000 high school credentials to adult learners last year, and many of these learners continued their education at Maine’s community colleges. Students earning their high school credentials in 2020-25 qualify for up to two years of free community college, paying nothing in tuition or mandatory fees. Success Coordinators refer students to resources on campus, the state’s Adult Education programs, or partner agencies in the community to help them succeed in their college studies.

Prospective and current students can find the dedicated College and Career Success Coordinator in their county here. 

“The College and Career Success Coordinator was a huge help to me,” said Jessica Piela, a student in the Respiratory Therapy Program at Kennebec Valley Community College. “She helped me navigate college without making me feel ashamed or judged. I may not have continued my career path if it wasn’t for her and her support.”

“I’ve worked in adult education and college academic support for over 15 years, and I am so happy to continue to serve these students as they take the next steps on their educational journey,” said Audrey Kimball, the Success Coordinator for York County Community College.

Since the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan took effect in October 2021, the Mills Administration has delivered direct economic relief to nearly 1,000 Maine small businesses, supported more than 100 infrastructure projects around the state to create jobs and revitalize communities, and invested in workforce programs estimated to offer apprenticeship, career and education advancement, and job training opportunities to 22,000 Maine people.

For more about Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, visit maine.gov/jobsplan.

To read the bios of Maine’s Career Navigators and College and Career Success Coordinators, and learn more about the programs, click here. 

Media Release: Maine DOE Launches ‘Hot Lunch Summer’ to Provide Children With Nutritious Meals Beyond the School Year 

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) announced the return of Hot Lunch Summer, the state’s summer food service program which provides free meals to children beyond the school year. These meals are available at hundreds of sites across Maine and families can locate nearby meal opportunities on the Hot Lunch Summer website HotLunchSummer.com or by texting ‘Summer Meals’ to 914-342-7744.

“Hot Lunch Summer ensures that Maine children can continue to access the healthy and nutritious meals they rely on during the school year,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “No child should worry about going hungry when the school year ends, and we thank the schools and organizations that have stepped up to make the distribution of these meals possible.”

Maine’s Summer Food Service Program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program offered statewide in areas or at sites where more than 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced meal benefits under the National School Lunch Program or where census track data supports the need. Free meals are provided to children 18 and younger at open meal sites. Eligible sponsoring organizations include schools, nonprofit residential summer camps, government agencies, and tax-exempt organizations including faith-based organizations. This year, rural meal sponsors may offer free meals offsite to further assist in reaching children who are unable to access congregate meal programs.

The Maine DOE launched Hot Lunch Summer last year as a statewide ad campaign to raise awareness of summer meal options and clearly explain the logistics of where, when, and how Maine children and adolescents can access complementary meals. This year, the campaign focuses on reaching households through social media networks and includes an animated video to promote summer meal opportunities which you can view here.

To find nearby summer meal sites, please visit www.HotLunchSummer.com or text “Summer Meals” to 914-342-7744.

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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.

 

Media Release: Maine DOE Awards Additional $800,000 in ‘Strengthening Maine’s Workforce’ Education and Training Grants 

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) announced funding for six additional Strengthening Maine Workforce grants to develop workforce training initiatives, build employer partnerships to address workforce shortages, and expand English language acquisition services.

In total, grants for Strengthening Maine Workforce Projects now totals $4 million invested in 14 projects. Funding for these initiatives is through Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, her plan, approved by the Legislature, to invest nearly $1 billion in Federal funds to improve the lives of Maine people and families, help businesses, create good-paying jobs, and build an economy poised for future prosperity.

Through these grants, Bangor Adult & Community Education will expand English language acquisition programs in the Bangor area, Augusta Adult & Community Education will offer an English as a second Language classes for Maine General Health employees and reduce barriers to employment, OOB/Saco Adult & Community Education will increase career pathways and allow students to earn industry-recognized credentials, Lewiston Adult Education will expand workforce training in healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing, Mid Maine Regional Adult & Community Education will create a Medical Assistant certification program, and Merrymeeting Adult Education will prepare new Mainers with language acquisition, healthcare certification courses, and partnerships with employers.

“These grants will provide Maine workers with the skills, knowledge, and pathways they need while helping employers address critical workforce shortages. Adult Education programs serve as a hub connecting learners and employers and strengthening Maine’s workforce,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.   

“We are excited to be awarded this grant and are proud to serve our community. Our goal as the local adult education program is to strengthen the community and economy through workforce training opportunities,” said Kayla Sikora, Director of Augusta Adult and Community Education. 

“We are thrilled to be a recipient of the MJRP grant, which will directly benefit the growing multilingual learner population in our region. This funding will allow us to provide augmented academic and advising services, and most importantly, enable us to better assist our learners with workforce training and employment opportunities,” said Dave Durkee, Director of OOB/Saco Adult and Community Education. 

Strengthening Maine Workforce Project Grant Recipients: 

Bangor Adult & Community Education: Increasing ELL Opportunities in Greater Bangor 
Total award amount: $93,396 
Bangor Adult & Community Education will partner with Las Palapas and other area restaurants to provide intake, assessment, advising, and instructional time with a national standards-based curriculum to English Language Learners. This project will more than double the access to Multilingual learner services for adult learners in the Greater Bangor Area.

Augusta Adult & Community Education: Maine General Health ELL Programming 
Total award amount: $91,602 
Augusta Adult and Community Education will partner with Maine General Health to provide English as a second Language classes to Maine General Health multilingual employees as well as the addition of a new pre-health class. The program will reduce barriers that may affect their employees from participating in programming by funding transportation, childcare, and technology costs for employees in environmental services and groundskeeping for career advancement and life skills.

OOB/Saco Adult & Community Education: Healthcare and Retail Career Pathways for New Mainers 
Total award amount: $200,000 
OOB/Saco Adult & Community Education will expand career and retail opportunities for Multilingual Learners through existing employer partnerships, and by increasing the capacity of urban programs. Participants will earn industry-recognized credentials of value in Healthcare and Retail Management.

Lewiston Adult Education: Integrated Skills-Based Pipeline Pathways to Employment 
Total award amount: $200,000 
Lewiston Adult Education will partner across Androscoggin and Oxford counties to expand workforce training to the healthcare, hospitality (restaurants and lodging), and manufacturing industries. Lewiston Adult Education will develop and expand adult programs for workforce training and pipeline pathways that can more effectively meet the needs of employers throughout the region. These workforce programs will prioritize the development of the foundational skills that lead to industry-recognized credentials of value, employment, and may also allow for renewal of certifications. The creation of these programs will both expand the HUB’s capacity to provide more training in these identified areas, and it will allow for the creation of new programs that are not currently part of the adult education offerings.

Mid Maine Regional Adult & Community Education: Clinical Medical Assistant Program Expansion 
Total award amount: $82,650 
Mid Maine Regional Adult Community Education will partner with Maine General Health to create a comprehensive, earn-to-learn Medical Assistant certification program to fill one of their largest employment gaps.

Merrymeeting Adult Education: Healthcare Certification Courses for New Mainers 
Total award amount: $129,126 
Merrymeeting Adult Education will prepare new Mainers with language acquisition, healthcare certification courses (CNA), and practical experiences to help learners connect with healthcare community partners and help fill the healthcare worker shortage in Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties.

The Maine DOE’s Adult Education Team funded 8 projects in the first round of funding last October.

Since the  Jobs Plan took effect in October 2021, the Mills Administration has delivered direct economic relief to nearly 1,000 Maine small businesses, supported more than 100 infrastructure projects around the state to create jobs and revitalize communities, and invested in workforce programs estimated to offer apprenticeship, career and education advancement, and job training opportunities to 22,000 Maine people.

For more about Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, visit maine.gov/jobsplan.

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New Members Appointed by Governor Mills to the Maine State Board of Education

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine State Board of Education today announced the new members of the Board and member reappointments.

The Board consists of nine voting members and two nonvoting student members appointed by the Governor. Board members serve staggered, five-year terms and nonvoting student members serve staggered, two-year terms.

New Maine State Board of Education Student Member:

Phat Gia Thai

Phat Gia Thai of Portland will begin serving his appointment to the State Board of Education as a student member on July 22, 2023. Thai will be a Junior at Deering High School where he is currently an honors and AP student. He is an active member of his school community and a member of many extracurricular activities including Deering High School Student Council, President and Founder of Deering Asian Student Union, Class of 2025 Student Senate, Natural Helpers Club, and the Varsity Tennis Team. Thai has been involved in the organization Seeds of Peace and has led a school mural project in collaboration with the nonprofit organization Painting For A Purpose. He stated, “My main goal in creating this mural was to celebrate the importance of diversity in our community.”

New Maine State Board of Education Member:

Denham Ward, MD, PhD of Bowdoinham was appointed to the State Board of Education on March 20, 2023. Dr. Ward received his BS(EE) at the University of Maine and went on to get his PhD in Systems Science at UCLA. Becoming interested in physiology, he then went to the University of Miami to obtain his MD. Following his residency in Anesthesiology, he started his career in academic medicine at UCLA. Besides his clinical and research interests, he has been heavily involved in medical education, serving as residency program director at UCLA and then as the chair of Anesthesiology at the University of Rochester. While at the University of Rochester, Dr. Ward was President of the Association of Anesthesiology Program Directors. With a major interest in how medical school faculty teach, he became the Associate Dean for Faculty Development at Rochester and was instrumental in developing a Master’s Degree in Health Professions Education. After retiring clinically, Dr. Ward returned to Maine. He was President and CEO of the Foundation for Anesthesiology Education and Research, which gave grants to improve clinical teaching in Anesthesiology. Dr. Ward has been involved with education at Maine Medical Center, helping to start the Academy at the Maine Health Institute for Teaching Excellence and has continued his association with the University of Maine, currently serving on the Honors College Board of Advocates.

Maine State Board of Education Member Reappointments:

Fern Desjardins of St. Agatha was recently reappointed to a second five-year term on the State Board of Education. She has served on the School Construction Committee (currently Chair), Certification & Higher Education Committee, Legislative Action Committee, Maine Charter School Commission, Board Effectiveness Committee, and several other committees of the State Board. She represents the State Board on the Maine Education Policy Research Institute Steering Committee and on other education committees. Desjardins was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Boards of Education in June 2019 and has served on a number of their committees. She was elected secretary-treasurer of the organization in October 2021. Desjardins worked for 43 years in RSU 33/MSAD 33 as a teacher, elementary school principal, and superintendent of schools before retiring in 2017. She has taught graduate level courses for UMaine as an adjunct faculty member, worked as a facilitator for school systems, and served on various committees and special projects of the Maine DOE. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and a Master’s Degree in Language Arts from UMaine, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Leadership from USM, and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from UMFK.

Wendy L. Ault of Wayne was recently reappointed to a second five-year term on the State Board of Education. Ault serves on the Certification & Higher Education Committee (currently Chair), Career & Technical Education Committee, Legislative Action Committee, Student Voices Committee (Co-Chair), and Board Effectiveness Committee. Ault is a graduate of Bates College in Lewiston. She served as the Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Maine at Farmington for 17 years. During her tenure at UMF, she was elected to four terms in the Maine House of Representatives representing part of Kennebec County from 1988 through 1996. She served all eight years as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, serving as its House Chair during her final term. Ault is the Executive Director of the MELMAC Education Foundation.

Fern Desjardins, Chair of the Maine State Board of Education, stated: “The board will benefit from the reappointment of the most senior member of the board, Wendy Ault, who joined the board in October 2017; and the recent addition of Denham Ward, whose vast knowledge and experiences, especially in higher education, greatly supports the board’s efforts in carrying out its duties and responsibilities. I was very impressed with Phat Gia Thai’s testimony at his recent confirmation hearing in front of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and look forward to welcoming him to the State Board in July. I am blessed and deeply humbled by my reappointment to the board and for having had the honor of serving as chair of the board for almost two years. Leading a board of dedicated individuals committed to the board’s mission ‘to provide leadership and to support policy development that promotes equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities for all students in safe, healthy, and inclusive school environments’ is energizing and highly rewarding. As a board, we continue to make great strides toward our vision that all students will receive a high-quality education.”

For more information about the State Board of Education, visit their website https://www.maine.gov/doe/about/leadership/stateboard

Maine DOE Welcomes 10 Interns This Summer

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) welcomed ten new student interns for the summer who will bring their ideas, energy, voice, and skills to strengthen education in Maine. These students, who will be working on a variety of Maine DOE teams, were selected for the Maine Government Summer Internship Program by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Institute at the University of Maine. The interns will spend the summer assisting with daily operations and projects at the Maine DOE while gaining professional experience and knowledge and building connection.

Maine Department of Education Interns

Charlotte Buswick is a rising senior at Colby College from Boxford, Massachusetts. She is majoring in History with a minor in Science, Technology, and Society. As an Innovative Education Assistant this summer, she will be working with the MOOSE team to develop online learning modules for students across all grade levels. She is very excited to work with and learn from everyone on the MOOSE team. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outside, listening to music, reading, and playing guitar.

Nhan Chau is a recent graduate of the University of Maine where she majored in New Media and minored in Graphic Design. She is originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and has been living in Maine for the last five years. As a Learning Through Technology Data and Media assistant, she will be working on a multimedia database of the social media presence of MLTI schools, cataloging computer science happenings, and organizing social media content. She is excited to work with her team and help with creating meaningful and impactful social media campaigns. During her free time, she enjoys drawing and creating animations.

Hannah Craig is a recent graduate of Boston University where she earned her degree in International Relations with a focus on International Systems and a minor in Economics. She is originally from Cumberland, Maine and now lives in South Portland. This summer, she will be interning for the Maine Opportunities for Online Sustained Education (MOOSE) team. She is looking forward to learning about curriculum content creation and the process of creating accessible and equitable learning resources for students. In her free time, she enjoys taking care of her plants, watching history documentaries, and spending time with her niece and nephew.

Jilleon Farrell is a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono where she earned her degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition. She is now in graduate school, also at UMaine, and hopes to become a Registered Dietician. She is from Manchester, Maine. As the Resource Administrator Intern, she will be assisting the operation team and updating, maintaining, and organizing operations data to gain exposure to all the opportunities the DOE has to offer this summer.

Natalie Grandahl is a rising senior studying political science at the University of Connecticut. She is from North Monmouth, Maine. As the Communications Intern, she will be creating content, writing for the newsroom, and assisting with the website. She is excited to meet a wide variety of people and to gain knowledge and experience working in government. She enjoys running, reading, and traveling in her free time.

Ryan Hafener is from Hampden, Maine and attends Hampden Academy. After graduating high school, he plans on attending college to pursue a degree in international relations or philosophy. This summer he will be interning in the Commissioner’s Office and working on both the legislative and communications teams. He is excited to get to work with education legislation and to work on media promoting public education. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, traveling, reading, and getting outdoors.

Joseph Koenig is a rising senior from Gray, Maine studying at Husson University. He is majoring in Marketing Communications with a minor in Integrated Technology and certificates in Photography, Graphic Design, Web Media, and Digital and Social Media Marketing. This summer, he will be working as the School and Student Supports Communications Assistant where he will be doing outreach to Maine educators, parents, and community members about various educational opportunities. He is most excited about working on projects that have the potential to shape the DOE in years to come.

Madeline Levesque is a rising junior at Husson University studying Graphic/Visual Design with a certificate in Marketing Communications and Photography, and she is from Augusta, Maine. This summer she will be working as the DOE’s Maine Learning Through Technology Digital Design Assistant. She will be updating and designing media forMLTI’s website while also helping to improve outreach about their current programs and events. She enjoys portrait photography, spending time outdoors, and being a member of the Husson Dance Team.

Cora Saddler is a first-year graduate student at the University of Maine at Orono pursuing a degree in English Studies with a concentration in creative writing. After graduate school, she plans on pursuing a career teaching English abroad. She is originally from Cabot, Arkansas but currently lives in Maine. As the Adult Multilingual Education Professional Development Assistant for the Maine DOE, she will be working on providing professional education resources for adult educators throughout the state. In this role, she is most excited about assisting with planning for the Adult Multilingual Learner’s Summer Institute – also known as Camp Sugarloaf. In her free time, she enjoys writing, photography, ice skating, and baking.

Annabelle Williams is a rising junior at the University of Vermont and is from Camden, Maine. She is double majoring in Psychology and Business Administration with a focus on marketing and entrepreneurship. This summer she will be working on the RREV Team in the Office of Innovation as their Communications Strategy Coach. She will be helping the team and their awardee schools effectively communicate their experiences with the program, developing RREV’s social media presence, and creating a user-guide for ENGINE which is their online collaborative platform for Maine educators.

 

Maine DOE, UMS Expand Whole-Student Supports for Maine Schools

More K–12 students and educators in Maine are set to benefit from stronger social, emotional and behavioral supports thanks to Maine PBIS, a collaboration between the University of Maine System and the Maine Department Education (DOE), which is adding 21 new schools to its professional development cohort.

The schools, which will participate in the initiative over the next three years, are located in communities throughout the state, including Berwick, Boothbay Harbor, Brooksville, Bucksport, Damariscotta, Edgecomb, Litchfield, Madawaska, North Berwick, Sabattus, South Portland and Westbrook.

“Teams of educators from these schools will learn and practice together for the next three years, joining more than 30 schools that are currently part of our professional development model and more than 75 schools statewide that have already implemented sustainable supports for Maine students,” says Courtney Angelosante, Maine PBIS coordinator at the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS, is a nationally recognized framework providing a multi-tiered continuum of supports in K-12 schools, promoting positive social and behavioral outcomes for all students. It is based on a community health promotion model. In schools that have implemented PBIS, it is expected that 95% of students will have most of their social, emotional and behavioral needs met before schools have to implement the third, or most targeted tier of interventions.

Maine DOE, in collaboration with UMS, supports schools and districts to implement PBIS through a cohort model that matches Maine-endorsed PBIS trainers and coaches with district and school-level teams. Maine PBIS’s professional development efforts have received national and international attention as a particularly effective example for rural schools and communities.

“Being able to work with our PBIS coaches multiple times a year made our school’s efforts towards Tier 1 implementation much smoother,” says Sierra Bloom, a first-grade teacher at Surry Elementary School, which has already taken part in the UMS-Maine DOE initiative. “Our coaches were always there to support our work directly and led us to a solid foundation for our work in PBIS.”

Bloom adds that being able to work with other schools in the cohort model was beneficial.

“We were able to collaborate and share ideas for success, while also gaining support towards common struggles,” she says.

This summer, Maine PBIS will host a five-day training institute for educators who are part of its professional development cohort. The training, which is limited to 50 participants and will take place at Husson University from July 10–14, will be designed to help teachers identify why a behavior is happening through a variety of assessment tools and procedures, leading to the development of a positive behavior support plan individualized to a student’s strengths and needs. More information about the Maine PBIS Advanced Tiers Summer Institute is online.

“The supportive and inclusive practices of PBIS have elicited overwhelmingly positive responses by administrators, educators, students and families. Our office looks forward to supporting and sustaining schools and districts in this work,” says Tracy Whitlock, Special Projects Coordinator in the Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education at the Maine Department of Education.

The Maine DOE provides funding for the Maine PBIS initiative through a federal State Personnel Development Grant. The funding is helping scale up capacity for PBIS in the state through a UMS Microcredential for PBIS Coaching and Training. The second cohort of educators seeking the micro-credential endorsement will begin in fall 2023. Applications, which are available online, are due June 15.