Category: Newsroom Articles

Mt. Ararat Middle School Teacher Brings Real-World Problem Solving into the Classroom

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is proud to highlight a transformative shift taking place at Mt. Ararat Middle School, where student-centered learning is redefining how students engage with their education.

Mt. Ararat Middle School educator Gretchen Feiss has brought real-world problem solving into her classroom through the Maine Solutionaries Project, empowering students to tackle complex global and local challenges. This approach shifts students from being passive learners to active changemakers, equipping them with the skills and mindset to make a meaningful impact.

For Feiss, the transition to Solutionary learning stemmed from a belief that students learn best when their education connects to real-world issues they care about. Traditional instruction often leaves little room for students to explore their own questions, and Feiss wanted to change that. By allowing students to identify problems, research solutions, and take meaningful action, she has transformed the classroom into a space where learning has a direct, real-world relevance.

Feiss said at times, guiding students through inquiry to action comes with challenges.

“They struggle with identifying good questions to ask but also with imagining solutions and strategies,” Feiss explained. As a mentor, Feiss helps students to sharpen their research skills, ask deeper questions, and think critically about the information they find. For seventh graders with limited experience in research and problem-solving, this support is essential.

As students pursue diverse projects, keeping up with their progress and providing guidance can be challenging. One innovative solution Feiss has used is introducing artificial intelligence tools, like ChatGPT, to help students identify key contributors working on their chosen topics. Many middle schoolers are unfamiliar with the organizations and individuals addressing social and environmental challenges, and AI provides an entry point to discovering these connections.

Beyond academic skills, Feiss has witnessed a shift in how students perceive learning itself.

“I think they see it less as something that is done to them and more as something driven by their choices,” she said. By giving students the independence to explore their interests, they have developed a sense of ownership over their education, leading to deeper engagement and more meaningful learning experiences.

One of the most exciting aspects of Solutionary learning is its connection to the real world. Feiss encourages students to reach out to experts, helping them craft professional emails and messages. These efforts have had a powerful impact. One student group received a response from the head of a wildlife protection organization in Uganda, making their research feel far more relevant. These experiences help students see that real people are working on the issues they care about — and that they, too, can be part of the solution.

Despite any challenges her classroom has experienced, one thing is clear: Student-centered learning is making a difference. By equipping students with the tools to research, communicate, and take action on issues they care about, Feiss is helping to shape a generation of informed, engaged citizens. As the classroom continues to evolve into a space where students don’t just acquire knowledge but use it to create change, the possibilities for their futures are limitless.

To learn more about the Maine Solutionaries Project’s upcoming cohorts, including a literacy-focused cohort and a numeracy-focused cohort, please visit the Maine Solutionaries Project webpage or contact Kathy Bertini, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Coordinator, at kathy.bertini@maine.gov, or Erik Wade, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist, at erik.wade@maine.gov.

The Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is a part of the Maine DOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning.

The Maine Solutionaries Project funds received from the U.S. Department of Education (USED) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $1.34 million, of which 100% is federally-funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the Maine Solutionaries Project and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the USED or the U.S. Government.

 

Maine Department of Education Releases Interactive AI Guidance Toolkit for Schools and Educators

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to announce the release of an AI Guidance Toolkit. This dynamic resource goes beyond traditional policies, pairing guidance with learning by offering practical tools, real-world scenarios, and ongoing learning opportunities that support ethical, responsible, and effective AI use. Grounded in digital citizenship and computer science foundations, this toolkit is designed to enhance the understanding and application of artificial intelligence in education.

To ensure this resource remains relevant, responsive, and tailored to Maine’s unique education needs, this toolkit was developed in collaboration with Maine educators and stakeholders and features a framework to help shape district policies, promote ethical AI use, and develop a deeper understanding of how to work with AI.

Whether you’re just getting started, want to know more about what’s happening across the state, or looking to dive right into integrating AI in education (or maybe already are!) – this resource has something for everyone.

The Maine DOE is excited to offer learning sessions to share a walkthrough of the AI Guidance Toolkit and answer questions. Below are the dates and a link to register and receive the Zoom link. These sessions will be hosted by the Maine DOE’s Learning Through Technology (LTT) Team, featuring Nicole Davis, the LTT Team’s Emerging Technology Specialist.

Can’t make it but want to know more? At least one session will be recorded for later viewing and will be made available on the Maine DOE’s YouTube channel.

Check out the Maine AI Guidance Toolkit here.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Nicole Davis at nicole.davis@maine.gov.

Applications Open for Transition to Kindergarten Planning Assistance and Mini-Grant Opportunity; Informational Session on February 25

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Early Learning Team, in partnership with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services, is pleased to announce that applications are open for a second round of Transition to Kindergarten planning assistance with mini-grant funding to support the development of high-quality kindergarten transition teams and plans. The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025.

This opportunity is designed for school administrative units (SAUs) seeking to strengthen partnerships among children, families, community providers, and schools to ensure successful transitions into public kindergarten classrooms. The focus is on fostering family and community engagement and equitable access to transition supports.

The transition to kindergarten is an exciting yet often overwhelming time for young learners and their families. Thoughtful transition plans that include strong community partnerships help schools and educators to meet children and families where they are. This opportunity will support SAUs and community partners in building Kindergarten Transition Teams and Kindergarten Transition Plans through a structured technical assistance program that guides the strengthening of community partnerships, promotes equitable practices for families, establishes a shared understanding of kindergarten readiness, encourages consistent school attendance, and creates a sustainable support system.

Participants will:

  • Engage in monthly technical assistance sessions.
  • Receive individual support, as needed.
  • Form a Kindergarten Transition Team.
  • Develop a year-long transition plan to support children and families before, during, and after the transition to kindergarten.
  • (SAUs will) become eligible for mini-grants to support their implementation through the 2025-2026 school year upon finalizing transition plans in spring of 2025.
  • Participate in follow-up technical assistance sessions in September of 2025 and October of 2025.

All interested representatives from SAUs and community early childhood programs are invited to join an informational/Q&A session to learn more about this opportunity on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 4-5 p.m. Please use this Zoom link.

Participants interested in the opportunity must complete the registration form by March 7, 2025. The registration form should be completed by an SAU representative and requires identification of preliminary team members (at a minimum, representation of one SAU or school leader, one school educator/staff member, and one potential community early childhood provider) and assurances for building community partnerships and engaging in the technical assistance meetings.

If you need assistance locating childcare providers in your area, please visit Child Care Choices.

Technical assistance meetings will be held on the following dates:

  • March 18, 2025, from 4-5:30 p.m.
  • April 15, 2025, from 4-5:30 p.m.
  • May 27, 2025, from 4-5:30 p.m.

The Early Learning Team is part of the Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning. For further questions, please reach out to Marcy Whitcomb, Maine DOE Public Pre-K Consultant, at marcy.r.whitcomb@maine.gov.

Student Opportunity: Register Now for Climate&Me Youth Leadership Summit

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to be partnering with the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, the Maine Environmental Education Association, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, and JustME for JustUS to host the Climate&Me Youth Leadership Summit in April.

This all-day event is designed to empower high school students in climate action. It will include student-led workshop sessions, time to meet and connect with other students, opportunities to build skills, and a library of climate action resources. Students will have the chance to hear from other young climate leaders and experts about how to drive action and change in their own schools and communities. Featured speakers and agenda updates will be announced soon!

Summit details:

Where: Wells Conference Center on the University of Maine Orono campus (131 Munson Road, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04473)

When: Friday, April 4, 2025. Check-in and breakfast begin at 8 a.m. The Summit starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.

What to expect: The full-day Summit will offer Maine high school students and adult leaders the opportunity to connect with fellow emerging climate leaders, attend student-run breakout sessions, and build a toolkit of climate action project planning skills and resources. Educators and administrators who accompany students to the Summit will join a separate “adult track” to exchange knowledge and build connections.

How to register: First, form a cohort with one to two adult leaders (for example, a teacher, administrator, or school staff member) and two to ten students from your high school. Cohorts may be based on classes, pre-existing eco-clubs, or newly-formed groups. No prior experience running a climate project at your school is necessary!

Then, register here by March 3, 2025. Space is limited, so please consider applying early.

Download the flyer here (PDF).

For any questions, please contact Teddy Lyman, Maine DOE Climate Education Specialist, at theodore.lyman@maine.gov.

Reeds Brook Middle School Student Wins MLTI Maine Winter Classic T-Shirt Design Contest

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is extending a big congratulations to Sophia Smith, a 7th-grader at Reeds Brook Middle School in Hampden, whose design was selected to represent the 2025 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Maine Winter Classic!

This statewide event, scheduled for the week of March 3, will bring together more than 50 schools and 5,000 students and educators from grades 3-12.

In January, the Maine DOE’s MLTI team opened its annual T-shirt design contest to all MLTI schools, challenging students to unleash their creativity and design the official T-shirt for the 2025 Maine Winter Classic.

Smith’s winning design, Winter Harmony, beautifully captures the event’s winter theme and meets all contest requirements.

“I was inspired by a snowy day or a snowstorm, with snowflakes swirling and icicles hanging from the logo,” Smith shared. “I thought adding those elements would really make the design pop.”

Smith said she created her artwork using the FlipaClip software.

Smith’s design will be featured on T-shirts sent to schools around the state. While event registration has officially closed, educators and schools can still sign up to participate, although some supplemental materials may no longer be available.

If you would like more information about the 2025 Maine Winter Classic, you may click here. For questions about the Maine Winter Classic or other MLTI events, please contact MLTI Project Manager Bethany Billinger at bethany.billinger@maine.gov.

MLTI is part of the Maine DOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning.

 

Registration Now Open for the MLTI Student Conference in May

Registration is now open for the 2025 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference in May! The deadline to register is March 28, 2025.

This event will be held on May 22, 2025, at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The conference is open to all MLTI school administrative units (SAUs) and is expected to welcome more than 1,000 students in grades 5 through 10.

Steps to register:

  1. Start by filling out this brief form to receive your comprehensive registration packet, which will be sent electronically via email.
  2. Submit the registration packet:
    • Complete the registration packet and use the link in your packet to upload the required documents.
    • The deadline to complete your registration is March 28, 2025 (to ensure the correct T-shirt sizes for your group).
  3. Sign up for sessions.
    • After your registration information is reviewed, you will receive a link to sign up for sessions.
    • Sessions are first-come, first-served, so sign up early!

This year’s conference will celebrate travel with the theme #LetsDiriGo. Students will receive a T-shirt designed by a fellow student. The MLTI Student Conference T-shirt design contest is accepting submissions until March 16.

At the conference, students will explore cutting-edge technology topics in hands-on sessions. Past sessions have focused on multimedia creation, AR/VR, 3D design, robotics, machine learning, and game design. Both students and educators can apply to present. The call for session proposals is open until March 21.

The day will conclude with an exciting “Uber session,” where hundreds of students will participate in a large-scale interactive activity.

MLTI Uber Session

For questions about the MLTI Student Conference, MLTI Maine Winter Classic, or other MLTI events, please contact Maine DOE MLTI Project Manager Bethany Billinger at bethany.billinger@maine.gov.

The Maine Learning Through Technology Initiative (MLTI) is part of the Maine DOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning.

Cynthia Martell Named 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year

The Maine School Counselor Association (MESCA) has announced that Cynthia Martell, school counselor at Captain Albert Stevens Elementary School in Belfast, is the 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year. This award is part of a national program that honors school counselors who run a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at the elementary, middle, or high school level.

Martell was recognized, in part, because of the data-driven, comprehensive school counseling program she runs to support students at Captain Albert Stevens Elementary School. One of her innovative approaches is a program that addresses chronic absenteeism and its impact on students’ academic progress. The initiative organizes comprehensive support plans for students that improve attendance rates, foster student success, and strengthen the overall school culture.

“It is abundantly clear to me that collaboration and a multi-tiered system of support are essential in order to best support students with the mindsets and behaviors for student success in academics, social/emotional skills, and career readiness, as set forth by the American School Counselor Association,” Martell said.

Martell earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from the University of Colorado and obtained her master’s degree in counseling and guidance from the University of Alaska. She has been the school counselor at Captain Albert Stevens Elementary School since 2007.

“Cynthia is a dedicated and transformative educator whose work has had a profound impact on our students, families, and school community,” Dr. Ashley Reynolds, principal of Captain Albert Stevens Elementary School, said. “Her unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of our students and families, her ability to cultivate strong connections, and her leadership in making our school inclusive and equitable are truly remarkable.”

In the year ahead, Martell will have several speaking engagements and event appearances. In the winter of 2026, she will be invited to a formal gala in Washington, D.C. She will also be honored at the American School Counselor Association Annual Conference in New Orleans in the summer of 2026.

The Maine School Counselor of the Year is announced as part of National School Counseling Week, celebrated annually during the first full week in February. For further questions about the MESCA School Counselor of the Year award, please view the MESCA website or reach out to MESCA Board Chair Rebecca Edelman at chair@maineschoolcounselor.org.

Julie Smyth, Maine DOE Director of the Office of School and Student Supports, Megan Walter, Maine DOE Associate Commissioner of Public Instruction; Cinthia Martell, 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year; Bear Shea, Maine DOE Coordinator of Culture, Climate, Resilience Team
Left to right: Julie Smyth, Maine DOE Director of the Office of School and Student Supports; Megan Welter, Maine DOE Associate Commissioner of Public Education; Cynthia Martell, 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year; Bear Shea, Maine DOE Coordinator of Culture, Climate, Resilience Team.

Applications Open for Student Position on Maine State Board of Education

The Maine State Board of Education is currently seeking applications for its newest student member to join the Board. This is an extraordinary opportunity for Maine students to practice civic engagement and serve as both a representative of Maine students and an active education leader in the state.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, February 28, 2025, for students from Maine’s First Congressional District, which includes Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, York, and part of Kennebec Counties. All applicants must currently be a high school sophomore.

The Maine State Board of Education has two non-voting student members who serve two-year terms on the Board. Students join the Board as a high school junior and end their two-year term after their senior year. One student is enrolled in a public school in Maine’s First Congressional District, and the other is enrolled in a public school in Maine’s Second Congressional District. At all times, the Board has one high school junior and one high school senior as members, with staggered appointments.

Application materials for students are available on the State Board of Education webpage. The Board has also mailed application materials to all First Congressional District high school principals, school counselors, and Career and Technical Education directors.

Completed applications may be sent either in hard-copy form via U.S. mail or electronically via email.

  • Please send applications via U.S. mail to:

Emily Cummins
State Board of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023

  • Please send electronic application materials to:

Emily.C.Cummins@maine.gov

After applications close on February 28, a screening committee of the State Board of Education will be inviting semi-finalists to participate in a Zoom interview, after which three finalists will be chosen. The names and application materials of those finalists will be sent to the Governor’s Office for final selection.

Then, the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs of the Maine State Legislature will interview the nominee in a public hearing and make a recommendation about the nominee to the Maine Senate. The Maine Senate is charged with confirming the appointment.

For further information about this opportunity or the application process, please email Emily Cummins at Emily.C.Cummins@maine.gov or call 207-624-6616.

Q&A with Becky Hallowell, Maine’s 2025 Teacher of the Year

Get to know the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, Becky Hallowell, who teaches fourth-grade students at Wiscasset Elementary School on the bank of the Sheepscot River. Becky shares more about herself in this Q&A, as she begins her year of service.

What or who inspired you to become a teacher, and how long have you been in the role?

I grew up in a family of teachers. At one point, my mother, aunt, cousin, and I were all teaching first grade. Family gatherings often included talk of our favorite children’s book authors and sharing great ideas for math and science lessons. This is my 30th year teaching, and now I love to chat about education with my sister, who teaches high school math in New Hampshire.

With decades of experience teaching under your belt, what do you love most about it? 

I love the kids best. It is so energizing to greet them in the morning and watch them hustle over to the day’s agenda to find out what we get to do that day. Teaching is a great outlet for creativity, and I love planning lessons that help nurture my students’ enthusiasm for learning. The hearts of fourth graders are so pure, and it is gratifying to see their confidence grow, as they find ways to impact the world based on their individual strengths and interests.

A major part of your platform as 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year is your passion for nature-based learning. How did your journey to creating an outdoor learning space for your students begin?

Taking students outside to learn has always come naturally to me. When I taught kindergarten, we used dandelions and “ten frames” teaching tools to learn about place value. My second-grade students would measure leaves and diagram plants.   

Our school is located on the Sheepscot River, and my partner teacher and I discovered an open area in the woods on the riverbank. We worked with our classes to clear the area of invasive species, so that we could start using the space. The fourth-grade class made bookmarks to sell, so they could purchase buckets to use as seating, and I wrote a Donor’s Choose grant for materials to use in our outdoor space that we lovingly call OWLS (Outdoor Wonderful Learning Space). The students report feeling “safe” and “calm” in OWLS, and we use that space for many lessons.

The same year we created OWLS, I attended a teacher institute at The Ecology School, and my practice of nature-based learning grew much deeper. I found ways to integrate nature into all of our content areas, including reading, writing, social studies, math, and science.

Students now learn about the branches of government by developing rules for our riverfront outdoor classroom. They make maps of their space and learn about converting units of measure, as we explore our outdoor classroom. Our novel studies include books set in our town, as well as ones with themes of protecting biodiversity. We conduct our class meetings in a garden, so students can see outdoor spaces as a place to connect and build community.

I have been fortunate to take part in several professional development opportunities to learn more about how other teachers across our state and country incorporate outdoor learning into their teaching practice. There is always more to learn, and I look forward to each new opportunity.

What makes your school and its students special?

Our school is special because the students, families, and staff take care of one another. We recite a school pledge daily, and the last line is, “We take care of each other at WES.” This sentence defines our core belief: that we are stronger when we support one another. We celebrate the smallest wins of individuals and share the biggest loads when one of us is facing a difficult challenge. I can’t imagine working in a more caring school.

What is one of the best lessons you have learned during your time as a teacher?

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that we all make mistakes, and that is how we learn. It is the number one lesson I impart to each of my classes. When we allow ourselves to take a risk and make a mistake, we grow. I happily share the mistakes I make with my class and explain how my mistakes help me learn something new. My goal is to create a space that is safe for my students to face challenges, celebrate their mistakes, and grow from those experiences. 

You have spent one year as a 2024 County Teacher of the Year. How have you worked to represent the community of Lincoln County?

I have worked to understand more about the mentoring needs of new teachers. I learned how to connect with our state representative and senator to elevate the educational needs of our students and staff.

As 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, what are the platforms you plan to represent? 

My goal is to bring to light the importance of nature-based learning and how it can positively impact academic, physical, and social-emotional growth. I also want to advocate for teachers to have access to great professional development tailored to their interests and needs throughout the state.

Why is public education important to the state of Maine and the nation?

Public education is crucial so that all children can learn the skills necessary to be successful local and global community members as adults. Our students must learn how to collaborate, think critically, and act with empathy to have a future world that is healthy and high-functioning.

For anyone who is thinking about becoming a teacher, why would you encourage them to do so? 

Teaching is the most gratifying occupation because it allows us to nurture our future lawmakers, caregivers, and builders. The work of teachers is an invaluable service, as the support they give their students also supports the community. The connections to students and families that I have made as a teacher last far beyond our year together. I love seeing my former students 10 and 20 years after teaching them and am so proud of all they accomplish. 

What else would you like to share with folks who are reading this Q&A? 

I am honored to represent Maine educators and have so much respect for all the teachers who pour their heart and soul into helping our children grow into amazing adults. 

Outdoor Learning Educators Share Expertise With Panel Presentation at RSU 16 in Poland

Pictured left to right – RREV Panelists Katie West (Portland), Robin Chernow (MSAD 28), Margaret Sobol (Falmouth), Maggie Corlett (RSU 10), Justin Deri (Falmouth) and Sarah Timm (MSAD 17)

On Monday, January 27, five educators from schools that received funding from the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV) project participated in two panel presentations at RSU 16 in Poland. The panels, led by representatives from the Maine DOE’s RREV Research and Design (R&D) team, consisted of educators from schools in MSAD 28 (Camden), MSAD 17 (Oxford Hills), RSU 10 (Rumford), Falmouth, and Portland who shared their RREV pilot projects and ongoing efforts in experiential outdoor learning.

In August of 2020, the Maine DOE was awarded $16.9 million from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rethink K-12 Education Models funding. Maine was one of 11 states to receive funding, which was used to launch the RREV project, a multi-pronged solution with a primary goal of generating innovative remote learning models to provide equitable access to high-quality remote learning opportunities for all students.

The federal RREV funding ended in July of 2024, but the Maine DOE RREV R&D team is continuing the momentum of this work by promoting collaboration and sharing events that bring RREV awardees together with other educators who are interested in developing innovative and responsive learning opportunities for their students.

These panel presentations at RSU 16 are one example of that continued effort. In December, the Maine DOE published a Newsroom story that showcased RSU 16’s inaugural Outdoor Learning Day event. Afterwards, Jill Mathieu, RSU 16’s Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, reached out to the Maine DOE to seek a way to provide additional support for RSU 16 educators interested in developing ongoing outdoor learning opportunities for their students. The Maine DOE’s RREV R&D team subsequently contacted all of its outdoor learning RREV awardees and set up these panels.

These discussions provided an enriching peer-to-peer learning opportunity for both RREV panelists and educators from RSU 16, with many ideas, suggestions, and lessons shared. The group will continue to stay connected through EnGiNE, an online collaborative portal created by the Maine DOE for Maine educators.

You may learn more about the innovative pilots produced through the RREV awards here.

RREV awardees are always interested in sharing their learning through online and in-person panel presentations. There will also be additional RREV Learning Tours scheduled throughout this school year. Learning Tours are typically conducted on-site at a RREV school, and educators from across Maine are invited to see the RREV pilot project’s programming in-action with students and educators. A list of upcoming tours is available on the Maine DOE website.

For further information, or to schedule a panel opportunity, please contact Elaine Bartley, Maine DOE RREV R&D Project Director, at elaine.bartley@maine.gov.