Washington County Expands Its Extended Learning Opportunities for Youth

(Pictured: Youth at the DownEast Teen Leadership Camp.)

Thanks to an Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Expansion grant from the Maine Department of Education (DOE), Healthy Acadia is working to provide more ELO opportunities to young people in Washington County in a variety of ways.

Last July, forty-three teenagers from Downeast Maine enjoyed Healthy Acadia’s 2024 DownEast Teen Leadership Camp (DETLC), a weeklong overnight summer camp experience at the Cobscook Institute in Trescott. DETLC is primarily a camp for youth, led by youth. The program challenges and empowers youth by providing them with the skills necessary to be leaders and workers in their communities.

The program begins months before the actual summer camp experience in January, when a youth advisory team takes the lead in planning the camp’s activities, ensuring that campers have a say in shaping their own experiences. This unique approach allows for the camp to feel personalized, as activities and discussions are specifically designed to reflect the interests of the participants.

Throughout the week, campers engage in various activities to promote leadership, community bonding, and holding space for healthy discussions. Students participate in workshops sponsored by regional and statewide businesses and organizations, as well as other physical team-building exercises that further build self-confidence and community. These immersive activities help campers to explore new interests, push their comfort zones, and form lasting connections.

“One of my favorite parts of camp as a youth staff member is the family groups,” Naomi Eyerman, DETLC 2024 Student Staff Media and Arts Coordinator, shared. “It’s great to get to know campers on a more personal level. Family groups really foster connections and are safe spaces where campers can have fun, as well as open up and get deep. DETLC overall has so many unique experiences that make camp truly memorable.”

Family group time plays an important role in the overall philosophy and structure of DETLC. Through Community Sessions and Mini-Workshops, students begin to develop an awareness of relationships, coping skills and issues with substances and other sensitive topics. Family Group is a place to question, discuss, and put into practice what campers learn in the community sessions and mini-workshops. This can be done by questioning and discussing workshop content, relating issues to their personal lives, sharing thoughts and feelings, practicing life skills, and building on their self-esteem.

ELO coordinator Corrie Hunkler, who works for Healthy Acadia, spearheaded DETLC. In her recent endeavors, Hunkler has also worked with the Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology (CWCIT) and Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) to further her work with ELOs in Washington County and the surrounding areas.

Hunkler is helping to create tangible pathways for students to explore their interests and career aspirations. This hands-on support is reflected in the 53 students she has helped to engage in meaningful work opportunities, such as coordinating the Washington County Leadership Challenge, which allows students, teachers, and civic leaders to collaborate to formulate plans and create goals to address relevant local civic issues; and group trips like the Maine Youth Leadership Conference, which brings eight students to Augusta, providing workshops and guest speakers to help participants learn valuable leadership skills.

Through programs like these, ELOs continue to open doors for young people in the region. The Early Childhood Education program at CWCIT has embedded ELOs into its Wednesday class time, for example, ensuring that even more students are introduced to these vital opportunities—and that those opportunities remain accessible to all students in the region.

*Students at the Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology.*

“We don’t have classes on gender studies; we don’t have classes on environmental science; and so it’s [ELOs] allowing kids who maybe have an interest or passion to be able to do what they’re interested in, and I think that’s so important,” Hunkler said. “This work is just so key in places that don’t have as much access to things.”

*Corrie Hunkler presents on ELOs at the Youth Development Summit held at Washington County Community College on April 29, 2025.*

These efforts are integral to broadening the horizons of students in Maine who may otherwise lack the resources and opportunities to explore their passions. Providing these pathways for personal and academic growth is vital for creating a more inclusive and empowered future generation, especially in rural communities like those in Washington County.

*Students at Maine Youth Action Network.*

To view a short clip of ELOs in Washington County and to learn more about Healthy Acadia and its ELO community support, contact Corrie Hunkler at corrie.hunkler@healthyacadia.org.

For more information about Extended Learning Opportunities, contact Lana Sawyer at lana.sawyer@maine.gov. Healthy Acadia was an awardee of Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan grants, starting in 2022, that supported 26 programs across Maine, covering 13 counties.

Designing the Future: Developing Climate Awareness and Resilience on Deer Isle

Since the summer of 2024, Healthy Acadia, JustME for JustUS, and Deer Isle – Stonington High School have partnered to develop and implement a year-long project called “Designing the Future.” The school-wide program has engaged the entire high school community in a series of events, activities, and guest speakers and has also brought together teams of students to develop proposals for specific challenges facing the island community.

The devastating storms in January of 2024 heightened the awareness of the island community of the dangers represented by climate change. Students, families, and school staff alike experienced the impact of the storms, whether due to personal loss, the impact felt by neighbors, or just by witnessing the causeways under four feet of water. The storms highlighted the vulnerability of the island community, while presenting an opportunity for students to think about how they could have a positive impact on climate resilience.

Designing the Future kicked off with a full day of activities on November 14 and culminated in March with STEM Week, when students collaborated to create a vision for one place on Deer Isle that represents the future that they want to live in. This project is inspired by Arts Week, in which each student group collaborates with a visiting professional to imagine, draft, and present a project that responds to a local need and answers the question: “What could we build here?” The faculty, staff, and student body are divided into five groups based on interest, each working collaboratively on a different project across the island.

The kick-off event in November included a visit to each site and feedback from a community member living or working at the site. The five areas explored were: Sunshine Causeway, Lily Pond, Stonington Main Street, Greenhead Lobster, and Billings Diesel and Marine.

In November, students heard from Gayle Bowness of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, James Rutter of the Haystack Fab Lab, and Genevieve McDonald, a Stonington resident and the local school board chair.

In December, students heard from Will Steinharter of Osprey’s Echo about the effects of storms on the island ecosystem and ecotourism economy.

In February, students heard from Linda Nelson, the town of Stonington’s Director of Economic and Community Development, about the impact of climate change on Stonington. Also in February, the entire school visited the University of Maine Process Development Center and the Advanced Structures and Composites Center to learn more about emerging technologies and their role in climate resilience.

In addition, the five faculty, staff, and student body groups have met several times throughout the year to collect information, consider their sites, and, most importantly, think creatively and critically about possible solutions to the challenges they face.

The final project in March included a tabling event and presentation to the school and community members, as students shared their vision for the future of their chosen site on the island.

Deer Isle – Stonington High School, Healthy Acadia, and JustME for JustUS are grateful to the following partners for their support throughout this project with expertise, facilities, and funding: Healthy Acadia; Andrew Simon, JustME for JustUS; Isidora Muñoz Segovia, Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI); Meggie Harvey, Haystack School of Crafts; James Rutter, Island Heritage Trust; Martha Bell and Alex Drenga, University of Maine; Renee Kelly, Maine App Challenge; Matt Jones, Maine Math and Science Alliance; Alexandria Brasili, Kleinschmidt Associates; Nicholas Ciomei (Deer Isle-Stonington High School ‘05); Katy Rinehart and Herb Carter, Opera House Arts; Allison Melvin, Greenhead Lobster; Genevieve McDonald, Billings Diesel and Marine.

This story was submitted by Deer Isle – Stonington High School, Healthy Acadia, and JustME for JustUS. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

SUN Bucks EBT Benefit Available to Maine Families Again This Summer

Most eligible children will receive these benefits automatically, but some families will need to apply.

In the summer, many children lose the free and reduced-price meals that they get at school. SUN Bucks provides families with a $120 EBT benefit for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out of session.

SUN Bucks is designed to supplement families’ grocery budgets over the summer. Most eligible children will receive these benefits automatically, but some families will need to apply. This program occurs in addition to free meals that children of all ages may access at summer meal sites in their communities.

How SUN Bucks Works

Families will receive a one-time EBT benefit of $120 per eligible child for the summer. The benefits may be used at authorized retailers, such as grocery stores and farmers markets, to purchase healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meats and other protein sources, whole grains, and dairy.

For children already eligible for SNAP, SUN Bucks will be loaded onto the household’s existing EBT card (also called the Pine Tree Card).
For children who don’t receive SNAP but did previously receive P-EBT or SUN Bucks, the benefit will be loaded onto the previously-issued card.
For children who don’t receive SNAP and didn’t receive SUN Bucks or P-EBT previously, a new Pine Tree Card will be issued.

If a family had an EBT card previously and lost it, a replacement card must be ordered by calling 800-477-7428.

Automatic Enrollment for Most Families

Most children will be automatically enrolled for SUN Bucks and do not need to apply if:

They completed an application for school meal benefit and were found eligible.
They are aged 6-16 and part of a household that already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, MaineCare at 185% FPL, or are identified as foster, homeless, or migrant by the Office for Family Independence (OFI) or Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS).

Automatically-enrolled households will receive a letter in late spring, and benefits will start in June.

Manual Application for Some Families

Families who haven’t received a letter in the mail by mid-June notifying them of automatic enrollment should consider applying manually for SUN Bucks if:

Their child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program.
The household meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meal benefit.

To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, visit the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) SUN Bucks webpage.

Guidance for Special Provision Schools

Community Eligibility Provision: If students are not part of a household that already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, MaineCare at 185% FPL, or identified as foster, homeless, or migrant by OFI or OCFS, but they do meet the requirements for free or reduced-price meal benefit, they will need to apply for SUN Bucks.
Provision 2: If students are not part of a household that already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, MaineCare at 185% FPL, or identified as foster, homeless, or migrant by OFI or OCFS, but they do meet the requirements for free or reduced-price meal benefit, most will need to apply for SUN Bucks.

How to Help to Spread the Word

Schools may help to spread the word by sharing information with families about theSUN Bucks program and how they may receive benefits for their children. Suggestions include:

Encourage families with children who will automatically be enrolled to make sure their mailing address is up to date by calling OFI at 855-797-4357.
Tell families to keep an eye out for a letter notifying them of automatic enrollment, a new card in the mail, or a balance increase on their existing card in early June.
Encourage families who haven’t received notice of automatic enrollment by mid-June, but who may have eligible children, to apply.

Please use the below flyers to help spread the word about this important program and direct families to OFI’s 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 Info Sheet (English) (PDF)

Thank you for helping to raise awareness about this program and ensure that Maine children get the nutrition they need to thrive this summer.

Applications Open for 2025 Maine DOE Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institutes

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning invites educators across Maine to apply for the 2025 Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institutes. These three-day, in-person professional learning experiences will occur from July 14–16, 2025, at the College of the Atlantic (COA) in Bar Harbor. Applications will close on May 27.

Designed for public school teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, and specialists across all grade levels and content areas, these immersive and hands-on institutes will bring together educators committed to strengthening interdisciplinary approaches to literacy or numeracy. Each participant will engage in deep content learning, hands-on collaboration, and the design of practical, real-world instructional experiences.

Participants will engage with local learning environments, including community gardens, the iconic Beatrix Farrand Gardens, the Dorr Museum of Natural History, Allied Whale, COA’s greenhouses and learning labs, the intertidal zone, and the vibrant community of Bar Harbor. They will explore high-impact instructional practices, investigate ways to connect content to students’ lives and communities, and help advance a statewide effort to promote meaningful, integrated learning across Maine classrooms.

Expectations of Participants
Educators selected to participate in the institute will:

Attend the full three-day in-person experience.
Collaborate with fellow educators to deepen their understanding of evidence-informed interdisciplinary literacy or numeracy practices.
Create a high-quality learning task that reflects real-world application of literacy or numeracy concepts and meets the criteria to be made available on MOOSE (Maine Online Opportunities for Sustained Education).
Have the opportunity to pilot the task during the 2025–2026 school year, providing feedback and contributing to shared statewide resources.

Participants will receive a stipend of $400 for successfully completing and posting the learning task, with an additional stipend available for those who choose to pilot the task and submit classroom feedback and instructional resources.

Logistics and Support
The Maine DOE will provide lodging and meals for all participants, and mileage reimbursement is available for attendees traveling more than 50 miles one way.

Apply Now
Applications are open now and will close on Monday, May 27, at 5 p.m. All applicants will be notified by Monday, June 2. Space is limited, and the Maine DOE will work to ensure that selected participants represent a diverse range of grade levels, geographic regions, and content areas from across the state.

Please use this link to apply.

The 2025 Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institutes are funded through Title II/Title IV state reservation funds. For more information or with questions, please contact Maine DOE Chief of Teaching and Learning Officer Beth Lambert at beth.lambert@maine.gov.

Applications Open for 2025 Maine DOE Teacher Leader Fellowship Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 cohort of the Teacher Leader Fellowship program. This program provides an opportunity for practicing educators to lead, innovate, and create resources that will strengthen teaching and learning across Maine. Applications are due by May 27, 2025.

The Teacher Leader Fellowship is designed for current Maine public school teachers who are passionate about shaping the future of education beyond their own classrooms. Selected Fellows will receive a stipend of up to $2,000 per month for up to 20 hours of work per month during the fellowship year (from August 2025 through June 2026).

For 2025-2026, Fellows will focus on one of the following high-priority topic areas:

Financial Literacy
Career Connections and Real-World Learning (new for 2025!)

Each Fellow will lead a signature project—such as convening a teacher cohort, hosting a statewide book study, or organizing a professional learning community—and will create a resource for Maine educators. Resources developed by Fellows could include toolkits, model lessons, curated materials, or instructional guides that will be shared publicly by the Maine DOE.

The fellowship year will culminate with a Year-End Showcase of Learning and Impact, where Fellows will present their work, reflect on their experiences, and officially launch the resources they have created for the field.

“This is a unique opportunity for teachers to amplify their leadership, connect with peers across the state, and leave a lasting legacy for Maine’s educators and students,” Beth Lambert, Maine DOE Chief Teaching and Learning Officer, said. “We are thrilled to add a focus on Career Connections and Real-World Learning this year, responding to the growing need to help students see the connection of their education to their futures.”

Applications are now open, and interested educators are encouraged to apply. Find more information and access the application here. Again, all applications must be submitted by May 27.

The Maine DOE looks forward to supporting the next generation of teacher leaders who will help drive innovation, collaboration, and student-centered learning across our state.

For further information and with questions, please contact Maine DOE Chief Teaching and Learning Officer Beth Lambert at Beth.Lambert@maine.gov.

How Kennebec Valley Multiple Pathways Academy is Transforming Education Through Career Exploration and Real-World Learning

At Kennebec Valley Multiple Pathways Academy (KVMPA), education looks a little different, and that’s exactly the point. Located at Maine Street Middle School, and serving students in grades 7 through 12 within MSAD 59, KVMPA offers an innovative alternative to traditional schooling. It’s a place where students learn not just by reading about the world but by rolling up their sleeves and engaging with it directly.

This program is built on a business model that immerses students in hands-on, real-world experiences. They don’t just study entrepreneurship; they live it. Working in teams, students are treated like young professionals, solving problems, taking on responsibilities, and discovering where their skills can lead them. This kind of experiential learning helps them make meaningful connections between their education and future careers, improving not only engagement but also confidence and academic success.

“When you are here, you are working,” Julie Wallace, the program’s lead educator, said. “They are always problem-solving.”

Wallace, a passionate educator with a background in science, has built a program with her colleagues, Mike Packard and Kelly Gehrke, that prioritizes critical thinking, collaboration, and personal growth. KVMPA’s low student-to-teacher ratio — Wallace aims for four to one — allows for personalized coaching rather than traditional instruction. Teachers act as guides and mentors, helping students to build resilience and recognize their growth.

“Julie, Mike, and Kelly are dedicated to the program and are the key to its success,” MSAD 59 Superintendent Bonnie Levesque said. “They believe in the kids and work hard to build that element of trust that is so important to draw out that intrinsic motivation needed for the students to thrive.”

One of KVMPA’s signature learning tools is its aquaponics systems. These student-built ecosystems involve tilapia pools that feed into irrigation structures for growing plants like lettuce and tomatoes. Students handle every aspect of the system: constructing, maintaining, caring for the fish, harvesting vegetables, and selling the produce locally. This hands-on work is paired with academic research. Recently, high school students have been studying the mating preferences of tilapia, while middle schoolers calculate profit margins for sustainable systems.

A student working on one of the aquaponics systems.

Plants growing in one of the aquaponics systems.

Wallace and her team work hard to meet students where they are, which can sometimes mean one-on-one tutoring in subjects like reading and math or independent study when a student has a special interest that really motivates them.

Through these projects, students meet — and often exceed — state academic standards. They participate in standardized assessments and work on integrated curriculum projects that allow them to apply learning from multiple subject areas in a practical context. As Wallace puts it, “We’ve created an environment where they don’t know they are learning.”

KVMPA’s facilities are in the same building as Maine Street Middle School. (Students are encouraged to take courses at the high school, if they want to do so. A few students are traveling to the high school to take art classes this year.) They have their own kitchen space for culinary lessons, a shop space for building projects, and even a greenhouse on school grounds.

"You are important," sign on KVMPA refrigerator.

As part of community service learning students created these tail signs.

KVMPA educator Mike Packard building a chicken coop with a student.

After seven years of building this program, Wallace has been able to expand the facilities, spaces, and resources used through the support of her administration and extensive grant writing. Wallace shared that she has written a grant almost every year while working at KVMPA.

“Julie is a go-getter who understands budget limitations but doesn’t let that stop her,” Superintendent Levesque added. “Her grant writing is amazing, and if she needs something more for the program, she finds a way!”

The program’s partnerships also elevate the experience for students. The school collaborates with the Aquaculture Research Institute, allowing students to contribute to real-world scientific research. A new initiative with Stanford University will bring virtual field trips to the classroom, allowing students from across Maine and beyond to visit the KVMPA learning environment virtually and see the incredible work taking place.

Learning at KVMPA doesn’t stop with science and business. Students also give back to their community, whether doing service learning at local farms, distributing backpacks filled with non-perishable foods to families in need, or selling their produce to support local initiatives. These projects teach empathy, leadership, and civic responsibility.

KVMPA is an invitation-only program, designed for students who haven’t found success in traditional settings. For those who are a part of it, the transformation is profound. By blending academic rigor with practical experience, KVMPA equips students with not just knowledge but purpose and direction.

“I want people to see how much these kids are learning, and they are doing it so organically,” said Wallace.

KVMPA proves that when students are engaged in meaningful, real-world work, they don’t just learn — they thrive.

To learn more about KVMPA, visit this link, or contact Julie Wallace at julie.wallace@msad59.org.

This story was written in collaboration with MSAD 59 and KVMPA. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

ESEA Demographics Report Opening Soon

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Demographics Report will open for review in the Maine Department of Education (DOE) NEO Student Module on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

The ESEA Demographics Report aggregates students enrolled on the federal accountability date (May 30) for participation in state assessments during the current assessment administration.

This report includes student demographic categories for assessment and accountability purposes.

Additional Information

Webinar: ESEA Demographics Report Webinar on Thursday, May 8 at noon. Register here.
Open Date: Thursday, May 15
Due: Sunday, June 15 (Due to the weekend due date, certification will be available until Monday, June 16.)
Resources: ESEA Demographics Report instructions

Questions about the ESEA Demographics reporting can be directed to MEDMS.Support@maine.gov or 207-624-6896.

Resources to Support Mental Health Awareness Month in May

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are providing resources to recognize, address, and support youth mental health.

Data from the 2023 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS) indicates that, among other outcomes, more than one in three Maine high school students felt sad or hopeless for two or more weeks in the past year. Similar data is available for middle school students and reveals significant youth mental health needs across the board.

Though this issue is complex, various resources are available to support schools as they support students during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Below is a listing of graphics, resources, and materials that can be used to spread messages of hope, help, and strength this May. Please share these materials and resources widely within your networks.

Campaigns and Shareable Graphics

The Maine CDC relaunched the Filter Out the Noise youth suicide prevention campaign in mid-April. This campaign is designed to help young people recognize and remove negative influences or “noise” from their lives. It offers self-care tips, guidance on recognizing suicide warning signs, and encouragement for help-seeking behaviors. Visit the campaign website for more information or reach out to TSUP.DHHS@maine.gov for posters or other social media shareable videos, graphics, and content from the campaign.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit with downloadable graphics, messaging, and promotional materials designed for a variety of audiences, including youth.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has its own digital Mental Health Awareness Month toolkit with a range of helpful content related to youth and mental health.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP ) offers a set of general social media shareables.

Order Free Resources and Materials

The Maine Prevention Store is a year-round, one-stop shop for FREE prevention-related resources. Bookmarks, self-care cards, and other resources specific to suicide prevention and support after a suicide loss are available. A few example images of these resources are included below. Visit the Maine Prevention Store to place an order.

Maine State Museum Seeks Grade 1-12 Teachers to Apply to Participate in New Program

The Maine State Museum is now accepting applications from Maine teachers for a new program that will showcase students’ place-based work. Teachers from five Maine schools will be selected to test the “My Maine Museum” program with their students during the 2025-2026 school year. Student submissions will be seen by hundreds of school children who visit the museum throughout the year.

The deadline to apply for this opportunity is May 16, 2025.

Submission Details:

Open to kids from grades 1-12
Students from selected schools will choose a person, place, or thing from their own lives (such as a family member, beloved location, or a personal item) that could be shared and celebrated in a museum in a digital format.
Students will research their item and write a label that tells its story and why it matters to them. Of note: Maine State Museum curators and educators have the understanding that writing levels and research abilities will vary widely! Capturing students’ thoughts and perspectives in their own voices is of the utmost importance. The museum values students’ current abilities and will not be editing students’ words for content or grammatical accuracy.
Student digital image and digital text will be displayed on a monitor in the museum for at least a year and will be available online for an extended period. Of note: The Maine State Museum is not collecting physical objects – just images.
Click here to see examples.

This program is designed to bring young voices and perspectives into the museum, while delivering a memorable educational experience to Maine students. Those who participate will practice doing the work of historians and curators by applying a historical lens to their own lives and families, considering how the present moment will become history. Help the Maine State Museum show children that this is their museum – and their lives are a part of Maine’s past and present!

Learn more about what participating schools will receive, the dedicated timeframe and commitment, and the application process here. For further information and questions, please reach out to Maine State Museum Education Program Specialist Kate Webber at kate.webber@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Hosts Inaugural Inclusive Education Conference

(Pictured: Students from Morse High School’s Unified Literacy Program.)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education successfully hosted the state’s first-ever Inclusive Education Conference on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Augusta Civic Center. The groundbreaking event, themed “Reimagining Education: Empowering All Learners, Embracing All Abilities,” brought together voices from across Maine to celebrate and advance inclusive practices in education.

Hundreds of participants—including students, families, educators, administrators, university faculty, and Maine DOE staff—came together for a day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Through powerful presentations, engaging panels, and personal storytelling, attendees shared their experiences and insights about inclusion in Maine schools and communities.

The conference focused on providing school communities with practical tools to support and empower every learner, with a special emphasis on students with disabilities. Attendees explored strategies to embrace diverse abilities, promote equity, and ensure that all students are equipped to thrive in inclusive and meaningful educational environments.

Concurrent sessions covered topics such as unified literacy, mental health, trauma, multitiered systems of support (MTSS), support for multilingual learners with disabilities, inclusive post-secondary education, inclusive early childhood education, and the importance of inclusion in state assessment, as well as engaging and supporting families through positive math experiences. Many sessions were led by representatives from the Maine DOE along with state partners from Disability Rights Maine, Special Olympics Maine, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Best Buddies, Maine Parent Federation, University of Maine System, school administrative units (SAUs) with inclusive models, and students with lived experience.

The conference also featured several student and educator panels, including one about extended learning opportunities with representatives from the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), the Noble High School ELO program, Mid-Coast School of Technology (MCST), and Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS). There was also an SAU) panel, featuring leaders from MSAD 11, RSU 52, and RSU 71. Morse High School students and their teachers lead a panel about unified literacy; Ames Elementary and Kingfield Elementary Schools hosted panels about their schools’ journeys to inclusion; and students from the Maine DOE Executive Student Transition Committee—a part of the department’s Transition Maine initiative—hosted a panel discussion about student advocacy.

A highlight of the event was a keynote address from Dr. Katie Novak, an internationally-renowned education consultant and advocate for Universal Design for Learning (UDL), who inspired the audience with her message on transforming systems to meet the needs of all learners.

Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin also stopped by the event to provide a special lunchtime keynote address. She thanked educators for attending the conference and for their expertise and collaboration. She also addressed the importance of inclusion for all students by taking a moment to acknowledge the meaning of DEI—diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“Maine’s inaugural Inclusive Education Conference comes at an opportune moment to remind us all of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in public education,” Commissioner Makin said. “Diversity makes all of us stronger by ensuring representation of background and perspective; equity allows everyone the opportunity to be the best that they can possibly be, no matter their circumstance; inclusion means that all voices deserve to have a seat at the table, and that no one is left behind or forgotten.”

The Maine DOE plans to host an Inclusive Education Conference annually, building on the success of this year’s conference. For more information and resources on inclusive education in Maine, please visit the Maine DOE website, or contact Maine DOE Special Projects and Educator Supports Coordinator Tracy Whitlock at Tracy.W.Whitlock@maine.gov.