Maine Educators Discover Connections Between Literacy and Mapmaking with Author David Sobel

Educators from across the state recently met at The Steel House in Rockland — and online via Zoom — for “Integrating Literacy through Mapmaking” with David Sobel, author of Mapmaking with Children, and Jennifer Kramer, Social Studies Coach for the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union in Brattleboro, Vermont.

During this full-day workshop, participants explored the concepts of place, belonging, and geographic representation. Sobel led the group through his research, showing that across the globe and across cultures, children develop perspectives on place and sense of area at roughly-identical age-related milestones. It’s insight that has proven to be particularly illuminating, as educators work on comprehension.

“This was one of the best workshops I have ever taken!” noted Laurie Chaisson, an art teacher at Narraganset Elementary School. “I particularly appreciated David’s developmental stages of mapmaking. This was the missing piece for me!”

Workshop participants also reviewed projects on sound maps, smell maps, treasure maps, and other forms of depicting space. The group worked with and created rebus puzzles, as well as treasure maps, and then they were set loose upon the outside campus of The Steel House to hide their “treasures,” handing off their maps and key rebus to other teams to solve. The activity was both engaging and educational, and many commented on how it brought back the joy of learning.

“It wasn’t long before I became an enthusiastic participant! It was so much fun and really inspiring,” Susan Jones from RSU 40 said.

Kramer led the group through several projects she has completed with schools, both as a classroom teacher and as a curriculum coordinator. She brought forth deeper-thinking concepts while connecting them to practical, replicable classroom projects, including the creation of an “exploding map,” a type of map similar to a pop-up book. It unfolds three-dimensionally to show details and information on a place-in-history map.

“What kid wouldn’t want to make an ‘exploding map’? Bravo! This is what learning should be!” Chaisson said.

Central to the conversation were the concepts of play in learning, cross-curricular comprehension, and the alignment in the thinking process between mapmaking and literacy skills. Inherent in each is coding, vocabulary, navigation of materials (fluency), and making meaning. Just as with mastering the skill of reading, these elements in mapmaking are co-mingled and build upon each other.

“This was a really fun and useful session,” Mark Sparks, a social studies teacher at Winthrop Middle School said.

This workshop was the second in a series of four on the topic of Integrating Literacy hosted by the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction team. All four workshops are offered both in-person and online.

During workshops, participants get the opportunity to ask questions, engage with material, and share their work. In addition to the “day of” experience, recordings of the workshops are made available for later viewing on the Maine DOE’s EnGiNE platform. Contact hours are available for all who participate.

Future events in this series include:

December 12, from 8 a.m. – noon: Integrating Literacy through Background Knowledge with Josie Cameron at the University of Maine at Orono. Use this link to register.
January 15, from 8 a.m. – noon: Integrating Literacy through Applied Science with Katie Coppens at Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick. Use this link to register.

If you have any questions about this workshop series, please contact Kathy Bertini at Kathy.Bertini@maine.gov or Heather Martin at Heather.Martin@maine.gov.

RSU 16 Initiates Annual District-Wide Outdoor Learning Day in Maine

On October 16, students and teachers at all five Regional School Unit 16 (RSU 16) schools in Mechanic Falls, Minot, and Poland participated in the first annual “Drop Everything and Get Everyone Outside (GEO) Day.” The new initiative involves integrating an outdoor learning activity into nearly every content area for students’ daily lessons.

This effort comes as research continues to demonstrate the many benefits of outdoor learning, including improved focus and academics, increased cooperative learning and social interaction, better physical and mental health, and the fostering of an appreciation of and love for nature.

Jessica Harvey, a second-grade teacher at Elm Street School and the 2021 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year, is one of the educators who has helped RSU 16 to realize its vision of outdoor learning. She and a team of other RSU 16 teachers participated in outdoor learning sessions through The Ecology School to develop a vision and progression of outdoor learning at RSU 16.

Following this professional learning opportunity, teachers held a casual lunch meeting to connect and share successes and challenges related to outdoor learning. That’s how they created the Get Everyone Outside (GEO) initiative, which they decided would be brought to life with a Drop Everything and Get Everyone Outside (GEO) Day across the district to promote outdoor learning.

“Great things happen when teachers have time together,” Harvey said.

The teachers worked with RSU 16 Curriculum Director Jill Mathieu, to establish a representative at each school to help promote and support outdoor learning. Eventually, a plan was put in place for the first annual Drop Everything and GEO Day.

“Outdoor learning is for everyone, and we are proud to see how many educators took their students outside for learning that day,” Harvey said.

Through grants and the district’s Tri-Town Education Fund, RSU 16 has acquired outdoor learning seating and other materials to help teachers and students start teaching and learning outdoors.

RSU 16 hopes to continue to grow outdoor learning district-wide, making it a natural part of the curriculum for years to come.

Information for this story was provided by RSU 16. To share good news from your school, please fill out the Maine DOE good news submission form.

REMINDER: Seeking Public Comment on Chapter 115 – the Credentialing of Education Personnel

The Maine State Board of Education is conducting conversations with the public about Rule Chapter 115: The Credentialing of Educational Personnel, from August through December. Resolve 2024, Chapter 137 directed the State Board of Education to amend Rule Chapter 115, with special attention to sections related to the State Board of Education’s report submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs in 2023.

The State Board of Education intends to take the following steps with respect to review of these rules:

Begin speaking with experts in the field
Revise necessary sections of Chapter 115
Invite public feedback on the revisions
File updated rule
Engage with Legislative oversight of the rule

The State Board of Education will hold several regional meetings focused on ideas and goals related to certification regulations in a general sense. These meetings will also focus on specific sections of Chapter 115 and will provide invaluable feedback to the State Board. In addition, the State Board of Education’s Certification and Higher Education Committee will provide time within the established meeting schedule to receive public feedback on Rule Chapter 115.

Remaining dates for these meetings are as follows – for the Zoom link, please email Emily Cummins

December 18, 2024: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Taking into consideration the insights gained from all of these discussions, the State Board of Education will propose updates to Rule Chapter 115 and begin the Maine Administrative Procedures Act (A.P.A.) routine technical rule process pursuant to Title 5 MRS §8052 (public notice of filing, public hearing, open public comment period). Once the proposed rule has been filed, the public will be notified of the scheduled public hearing and comment period.  This will be an opportunity to provide written and oral comments regarding the proposed rules. The State Board of Education will review all comments and respond accordingly.  Updates to the rules will then be submitted for review as to form and legality and legislative oversight before final adoption.   

For more information and updates check the State Board of Education webpage.

For more information about the conceptual conversations for Rule Chapter 115 contact Laura Cyr at laura.cyr@maine.gov.

Partnership Between United Technologies Center and Central High School Brings Shop Classes Back to Younger High Schoolers

Hands-on learning is making a comeback in the form of a dynamic exploratory program for students in grades 9 and 10 at Central High School in Corinth. This initiative, made possible through significant renovations at the school, brings back the shop class experience to help younger high schoolers explore this kind of learning.

United Technologies Center (UTC), a Career and Technical Education (CTE) school in the Bangor region, has funded a complete renovation of the Central High School’s shop space, featuring refinished floors, new lighting, and fresh paint. The updated facility is now fully equipped with modern tools and resources, including small engines, horticultural equipment, cabinetry, 3D printers, Glowforge 3D laser printers, and more.

“These upgrades aim to give students a taste of what their future experiences at UTC could entail, as they continue their educational journeys into their junior and senior years,” UTC Director Amanda Peterson said.

A new instructor, Mr. Doug Depew, is leading the program at Central High School. Under Depew’s guidance, students have already achieved impressive results, like transforming a nearby forest area into a new outdoor learning space with granite blocks that were left unused for years. Their efforts have resulted in a unique area for classes and hands-on activities.

The Central High School program has also provided opportunities for students to be involved in practical projects, like installing French drains to redirect rainwater away from the shop entrances. Students have also helped with trench excavation, installing grates and pipes to ensure proper drainage.

“It’s going incredibly well, and the work these students have completed thus far is exciting,” Peterson said.

This partnership has also rejuvenated the shop program at UTC, creating a wealth of new opportunities for students at both schools.

As the colder months approach, Mr. Depew has many more plans in store, with much of the activity shifting indoors.

“Congratulations to Mr. Depew and his hardworking students!” Peterson said. “Together, we look forward to seeing what comes next.”

Information for this story was provided by the United Technologies Center (UTC). To share good news from your school, please fill out the Maine DOE good news submission form.

Maine Curriculum Leaders Association Offers Professional Learning Opportunities for Educators

The Maine Curriculum Leaders Association (MCLA) is offering two professional learning opportunities in early 2025: Differentiation for Leaders and Crucial Conversations. You can find more information about these opportunities below:

Differentiation for Leaders

Participate in this online learning opportunity to sustain differentiation within your school district. These meetings will take place virtually for four sessions with Cheryl Dobbertin, a leader in professional development, proficiency-based learning, and differentiation.

Descriptions of each session are as follows:

January 15: Differentiation that Makes a Difference – What is high-quality differentiated instruction This session will explore a comprehensive model of differentiated instruction and include discussions about common misconceptions.
February 12: Structures that Support Sustainable Differentiation – This session will help leaders to understand the communication, professional development, and coaching plans necessary to implement quality differentiated instructional plans.
March 12: Barriers to Quality Differentiation – This session will dive into the sometimes-invisible barriers that keep differentiated instruction from becoming a way of life in a school and/or district.
April 2: Integrating Differentiated Instruction into Other Structures – How does differentiation work for students who need intervention or enrichment? How might it be part of your Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) plan or Social Emotional Learning work? This session will review how differentiation can fit into all plans and structures when it’s well understood, helping leaders to create classrooms that allow all learners to thrive.

The cost for Differentiation for Leaders is $200 for MCLA members and $300 for non-members.

Register here.

The Maine Curriculum Leaders Association will reach out to those who register to determine the best time for sessions for the majority of registrants. For more information, please contact MCLA at director@mainecla.org.

Crucial Conversations

A Crucial Conversation is a discussion between two or more people where the stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. When conversations turn crucial, people tend to follow one of two ineffective paths: They either speak directly and abrasively to get the results they want but harm relationships, or they remain silent with the hope of preserving relationships only to sacrifice results. Crucial Conversations® for Mastering Dialogue gives people the skills to step into disagreement—rather than over or around it—and turn disagreement into dialogue for improved relationships and results.

“The health of any relationship, team, or organization can be measured by the lag between identifying and discussing problems,” Joseph Grenny, coauthor of Crucial Conversations said.

Crucial Conversations® for Mastering Dialogue teaches nine powerful skillsets grounded in decades of social science research. The course helps learners develop these vital skills through instruction, application, practice, group discussion, and self-reflection all based on educational scenarios. This opportunity will include 12 hours of professional development, a digital copy of the learner guide, model cards, cue cards, and a digital copy of the book Crucial Conversations.

MCLA Executive Director Deb McIntyre will lead the training sessions and has previously delivered this professional development. Sessions are scheduled from 12:30-2:30 p.m. via Zoom on the following dates:

January 28
February 4
February 11
February 25
March 4
March 11

This course is appropriate for all school district leaders and is more powerful if you have a team that attends. The cost is $400 for MCLA members and $500 for non-members.

Register here.

To provide this excellent learning opportunity, MCLA must have at least 25 participants to run this offering. For more information, please contact MCLA at director@mainecla.org.

RESCHEDULED: Integrating Literacy through Background Knowledge Workshop with Josie Cameron

The Interdisciplinary Instruction team at the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to present a half-day workshop with educator and author Josie Cameron.

The Integrating Literacy through Background Knowledge workshop has been rescheduled for April 7, 8:00 a.m. to noon, at the Wells Conference Center at the University of Maine at Orono.

A 2020 study published in Reading Psychology found that preexisting knowledge is “foundational to increasing competency in reading” and that teaching from a foundation of what students already know is key to advancing their learning.

In this workshop, participants will explore, discuss, and engage with:

The role of preexisting or background knowledge in literacy development.
How background knowledge supports comprehension and meaning making.
How background knowledge facilitates the transfer of new information.
Practical strategies for incorporating background knowledge into classroom instruction.

This workshop is free to all Maine educators. In-person spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants can also join virtually via Zoom. This session will be recorded and shared with educators following the event, and four contact hours will be available to participants. To register for this event, please use this registration link.

If you have any questions about this workshop, please contact Kathy Bertini at Kathy.Bertini@maine.gov or Heather Martin at Heather.Martin@maine.gov.

This workshop is the third of four workshops presented by the Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Team on the topic of Integrating Literacy through Applied Learning. All events are available in-person and virtually.

Maine DOE to Host Third Annual Computer Science Education Showcase

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with Educate Maine, is hosting its third annual Computer Science Education Showcase as part of the 2024 Educate Maine Symposium in December!

Join the Maine DOE at this event for an afternoon of computer science fun and learning! The showcase highlights educators, students, community organizations, and other partners who are teaching, learning, and expanding access to and participation in computer science education statewide. Whether you’re new to computer science, aren’t sure what exactly computer science is, or want to learn more about the ways that computer science is taught across Maine—this is the event for you.

The Computer Science Education Showcase is scheduled for Friday, December 13 from 4-6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. You can register here to attend. If you’re interested in exhibiting something you’re doing with computer science education, please fill out this brief form.

Check out the media release regarding last year’s showcase to learn more.

If you have questions or would like more information about the Computer Science Education Showcase, please reach out to Maine DOE Computer Science Specialist Allison Braley at allison.braley@maine.gov.

Teacher Advisor Opportunity Available at Maine State Museum

The Maine State Museum is seeking a teacher advisor to help design a project that highlights Maine student voices through virtual displays. These displays — which will appear in-person and online — will be a special feature of the Maine State Museum’s reopening in late 2025 or early 2026.

The goal of this project is to create an educational program and lesson plan that can be replicated and that will engage a range of Maine schools and students, bringing young voices and perspectives into the museum. Students involved in this project will choose a person, place, or thing from their own lives that they feel is worth honoring in a museum. They will then conduct background research and write a museum-standard label with basic information, as well as their own perspective regarding why the item they chose is important to their lives and the story of Maine.

The teacher advisor will collaborate on planning this project and write a state standards-aligned lesson plan that museum educators can use to work with partner teachers. This is a pilot project, and just a handful of schools will be selected to participate in the 2025-2026 school year.

The teacher advisor will be a contractor with the Maine State Museum. The ideal candidate will have extensive classroom experience and the ability to scale materials for K-12 grade levels. Applicants from a range of disciplines and backgrounds are invited to apply.

The teacher advisor will receive a stipend of $2,000 in compensation for their work. The contract will not include state employee benefits. No travel is required. The schedule is very flexible, and work can be completed between January and June of 2025.

See the full teacher advisor description and find information about how to apply.

For further questions, please reach out to Maine State Museum Education Program Specialist Kate Webber at kate.webber@maine.gov.

Registration Open for 2025 Maine Council for English Language Arts Conference

The Maine Council for English Language Arts (MCELA) has announced its 2025 annual conference, which will take place on Friday, March 21 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.

With the theme “Cultivating Possibilities in Ecosystems of Learning”, this year’s conference will explore how English language arts educators can nurture possibilities for themselves and their students through dynamic, evolving classroom environments.

This year’s theme emphasizes four essential “seeds” of growth: social responsibility, leadership, empowerment, and collaboration. The MCELA believes these are vital for fostering a thriving learning ecosystem. Through these core values, the conference will support educators in cultivating the skills and mindsets that empower students to become engaged learners and active community members.

Acclaimed author and educator Kate Roberts will deliver the keynote address, sharing insights from her latest work, The Heart of Fiction. Known for her books The Novel Approach and Falling in Love with Close Reading, Roberts brings a fresh perspective on literacy and student engagement. Her keynote promises to inspire attendees with practical strategies to cultivate meaningful connections with their students, transforming reading into an empowering tool for personal and academic growth.

Following last year’s conference, which welcomed more than 350 educators and featured 40 workshops by Maine educators, this year’s event will offer an equally-engaging lineup. Educators can look forward to a wide range of sessions that address how to build classroom ecosystems that value inclusion, creativity, and student-centered learning—while honoring the conference’s focus on responsibility, leadership, empowerment, and collaboration.

A special pre-conference event, “Poetry Night at Portland Stage,” will be held on Thursday, March 20 in partnership with Portland Stage. It will feature a reading by Somali-born poet Abdi Ali, whose work delves into themes of resilience and identity. Attendees who purchase a ticket for this event will also receive a bonus ticket following the poetry reading to Portland Stage’s production of “Madeleines,” an evocative play exploring memory and identity. For more information on “Madeleines”, please visit Portland Stage’s website.

A special conference room rate is available for those staying at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, and early registration is encouraged, as space is limited. Portland’s vibrant cultural and culinary scene makes it an ideal location for educators to connect, learn, and relax together.

For more information about registration, hotel accommodations, and session details, please visit the MCELA website or contact MCELA at maine.ela@gmail.com.

Nominations Open for Distinguished English Language Arts Educator Awards

The Maine Council for English Language Arts (MCELA), an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English, is now accepting nominations for two prestigious educator awards: the Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award and the newly-established MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award. These awards recognize educators who have demonstrated a high level of excellence in teaching English language arts and who have made significant contributions to their school communities and beyond. Both awards will be presented at MCELA’s annual conference in March of 2025. Awardees will receive free conference registration, MCELA membership for one year, and an invitation to present a workshop session. The nomination deadline for both awards is December 1, 2024.

Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award

Now in its seventh year, the Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award celebrates outstanding English language arts educators who exemplify excellence in teaching, professional leadership, and community commitment. This award honors teachers who have contributed significantly to the field of English language arts in Maine and beyond.

Eligibility:

Nominees must be full-time English language arts teachers with a minimum of five years of teaching experience in Maine public, independent, or private schools. They do not need to be members of MCELA. Nominations can be submitted by a supervisor or a teaching colleague.

Award Criteria:

Nominees should demonstrate:

Leadership within their school, district, and at the state and/or national level(s),
A commitment to developing and sharing effective ELA practices beyond their district,
Dedication to student-centered learning that respects and uplifts students of all backgrounds and abilities, and
Active involvement in school and community activities beyond the classroom.

To submit a nomination, please visit the MCELA Brassil Award webpage for the nomination form and further details.

MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award

This newly-introduced award is designed to recognize English language arts teachers who have shown outstanding dedication to their students’ learning and have inspired a love of reading, writing, and critical inquiry. The MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award honors educators who not only excel in their teaching but also foster a vibrant, engaging classroom environment.

Eligibility:

Nominees must be full-time English language arts teachers with a minimum of three years of teaching experience in Maine public, independent, or private schools. Membership in MCELA is not required. Nominations can be submitted by a supervisor or a peer.

Award Criteria:

Nominees should:

Exhibit leadership within their school or district,
Actively share effective ELA practices with their colleagues,
Show commitment to student-centered learning that supports all students,
Engage in school and community initiatives beyond the classroom, and
Cultivate a spirit of inquiry and a love of learning in their students.

For details and to submit a nomination, please visit the MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award webpage.

MCELA encourages colleagues, supervisors, and peers to recognize and nominate the exceptional educators who make a difference in Maine classrooms every day. By celebrating these dedicated professionals, MCELA seeks to highlight the impact and importance of English language arts education across the state.

For more information about the nomination process, please visit the MCELA website. Join us in honoring those who inspire, lead, and cultivate possibilities for Maine’s students and communities.