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.

Maine FFA Association Members Engage at 97th National Convention in Indianapolis

This October, Indianapolis, Ind. played host to a sea of blue corduroy jackets when more than 70,000 FFA Organization (formerly “Future Farmers of America”) members came together for the 97th National FFA Convention. Maine students from several FFA chapters said they had the experience of a lifetime joining their peers for this event.

The Maine FFA is a student-led organization, focused on premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. Schools across Maine offer FFA chapters for middle and high school students who are interested in agriculture and natural resources. During their time in Indianapolis, Maine FFA students heard from keynote speakers Dr. Temple Grandin and Kevin Wanzer, met with business and industry professionals, explored a career and college exposition, watched a rodeo, and more.

Maine FFA State Officers Hannah Shaw and Lane Carmichael served as delegates at the 2024 National FFA Convention, and they had a voice in shaping policy recommendations for the organization.

“The National FFA Delegate Experience is one I will never forget!” Shaw said. “Knowing that you are making decisions to help the future of the organization is truly an honor. Working with members from across the country helped me gain a new perspective. The lessons and skills you learn through FFA push you to grow as a person and will stay with you throughout your entire life.”

Other Maine FFA State Officers Mia Arcott, Haley Mayne, and Julia Pierce engaged in workshops, connected with stakeholders, served as flag bearers, cheered on their peers in competitions, and brought back ideas from the convention to strengthen Maine FFA. Arcott had an important takeaway from her workshop, which was focused on finding common ground with others.

“An important thing we learned was that you may not understand everything about someone, but you should always be willing to learn more,” Arcott said. “Engaging in conversation, even with those who are different from you, is so important.”

Students from Mars Hill FFA, Ashland FFA, Caribou FFA, Easton FFA, and Presque Isle FFA also attended the convention. They represented Maine in Career and Leadership Development Events, which provided them an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities. As a result of their hard work and dedication, teams received the following awards:

Caribou FFA: Agriculture Technology and Mechanical Systems – Bronze-placing team, plus two Silver and two Bronze individual placings
Ashland FFA: Farm and Agribusiness Management – Silver-placing team, plus one Gold, one Silver, and two Bronze individual placings
Presque Isle FFA: Employment Skills – one Bronze individual placing
Easton FFA: Environmental and Natural Resources – Bronze-placing team, plus four Bronze individual placings

These young leaders returned to Maine with new ideas about how to best serve Maine FFA members and their communities. The officer team has even set a goal of expanding FFA programming across Maine and welcomes discussions about starting new chapters.

“The National FFA Convention was absolutely amazing!” Mayne said. “I had the opportunity to attend leadership workshops and experience so many great things. It was truly an inspiring event that helped me become a better leader. The energy and passion from everyone there were contagious, and I left feeling more motivated and equipped to make a positive impact in my community.”

This experience would not have been possible without the support of Maine Agriculture in the Classroom grants and generous sponsors who supported the officer team and local chapters.

For more information about the Maine FFA Association, please visit the Maine Department of Education’s website or contact Emily Doughty, Maine FFA State Liaison, at emily.doughty@maine.gov.

Virtual Text Study: Spotlight on Young Children – Challenging Behaviors

Join specialists from the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning’s Early Learning Team for a free, web-based professional development opportunity designed for early childhood educators working with children in pre-K through grade 2.

This series will utilize the 2024 National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) publication Spotlight on Young Children: Challenging Behavior, edited by Charis L. Wahman and Janice K. Lee. (“Children engage in challenging behavior for many different reasons: preventing and responding to that behavior begins with understanding why it occurs” [Wahman, C. & Lee, J. 2024].) Participants will read the chapters independently between sessions.

The book includes curated articles from NAEYC’s Young Children and Teaching Young Children magazines, offering insights and strategies from a variety of early childhood education professionals. The text is organized around the Pyramid Model, with strategies grouped into three levels: preventative, targeted, and intensive and individualized. Throughout the book, there is an emphasis on creating relationally-safe and culturally-responsive environments. Reflective questions and self-care practices are woven into the content, making it an ideal resource for both new and veteran early childhood educators.

The text study will begin on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and will continue the following Wednesdays:

January 29
February 5
February 12
February 26
March 5

Registration is open through December 10, 2024, with space limited to 25 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who register will receive a free copy of the book and earn up to 12 contact hours upon completion of the text study.

We encourage early registration to secure a spot! You may register here.

For more information, please reach out to Maine DOE Pre-K Consultant Sue Gallant at sue.gallant@maine.gov.

Webinar: Civics Education and Community Connections with the League of Women Voters

How can civics educators inspire students to engage in real civic action? How can we make civic involvement feel relevant and accessible in our students’ daily lives and local communities?

Join Breanna Bellefontaine-Krupski, Maine Department of Education Civics Teacher Leader Fellow in the Office of Teaching and Learning, and Allyson Gardner, Director of Maine Students Vote and League of Women Voters member, for a dynamic conversation on November 19. Together, they will explore the work of the League of Women Voters, Maine Students Vote, and new community ally programs that connect schools with civically-active community members.

Participants can expect to leave the webinar with valuable resources, including website links, newsletters, and practical insight on how these organizations are empowering young people to become active citizens.

Don’t miss this opportunity! Join us on Tuesday, November 19, at 3:45 p.m.

Join here. (There is no need to register for the webinar in advance.)

For further information or questions, please reach out to Maine DOE Civics Teacher Leader Fellow Breanna Bellefontaine-Krupski at breanna.krupski@maine.gov.

Save the Dates for 2025 The Regulated Classroom Train-the-Trainer Sessions

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is continuing its collaboration with Emily Read Daniels, M.Ed., MBA, NCC, SEP™, owner and founder of The Regulated Classroom™ (TRC™), to provide a third phase of train-the-trainer professional learning experiences at no cost to Maine educators.

In the fall of 2023, the Maine DOE launched the first phase of these trainings to respond to requests from educators for classroom resources to support building positive classroom culture and addressing dysregulated student behavior. All 600 spaces for the first phase of TRC trainings were booked within weeks. In the spring of 2024, a second phase of TRC trainings for 600 more educators from across the state was announced, and, like the first round, those sessions also filled up quickly. With a considerable number of emails coming from educators seeking opportunities for professional development—and a waitlist of more than 100 participants—this project has been expanded to create more training opportunities for another 600 educators, starting in March of 2025.

Through a somatosensory and Polyvagal-informed approach to cultivating conditions for “felt safety” in the classroom, TRC equips educators with a framework that consists of four core practices, two essential educator capacities, and sensory tools, establishing a safe and connected classroom environment. TRC offers highly-effective tools and practices to incorporate into routines, along with self-awareness and self-care resources that enable educators to recognize and bring regulation to the classroom, supporting engagement, connection, and learning.

To develop leadership capacity and promote project sustainability, the Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports secured funding from Title II and hired Lead Co-Regulators from each of Maine’s nine Superintendent Regions. These Lead Co-Regulators are facilitating a series of three events this school year, specifically designed to support the implementation and sustainability efforts of educators trained in the framework of TRC. These in-person opportunities will allow participants to share successes and brainstorm strategies to meet any challenges, developing a vibrant community with a strong sense of mattering and belonging for educators. Click here to be included.

Here is what some participants have said about The Regulated Classroom:

“[We’re] feeling much more connected as a school community. Students feel safe within their settings when TRC is implemented.”
“[The implementation of TRC] is creating more interactive experiences between teachers and students.”
“[TRC is] 100% positive [and brings about a] culture of positive change, [plus] lower discipline referrals.”
“[TRC is] supportive of our shift toward embracing an integrated trauma-responsive approach. Kids and staff enjoy the practices.”

With more than 94% of Maine educators rating their experience with TRC as “Very Good” or “Excellent”—and many remarking that this is the best training they have ever attended—the Maine DOE is delighted to announce this new series of additional trainings, with an intent to open registrations in early January and then again in mid-July. Proposed dates and times are as follows:

The Regulated Classroom registrations (open week of January 6, 2025):

Locale	Previous Trainings Info	Dates	Max. # of Trainees
1. Kittery (York County)	Participants thus far from York County: 126	3/11, 3/12	50
2. South Paris (Oxford County)	Participants thus far from Oxford County: 64	3/27, 3/28	50
3. Scarborough (Cumberland County)	Participants thus far from Cumberland County: 141	4/10, 4/11	50
4. Auburn (Androscoggin County)	Participants thus far from Androscoggin County: 64	5/8, 5/9	50
5. Damariscotta/ Jefferson (Lincoln County)	Participants thus far from Lincoln County: 25	5/21, 5/22	50
6. Skowhegan (Somerset County)	Participants thus far from Somerset County: 51	6/3, 6/4	50

The Regulated Classroom registrations (open week of July 7, 2025):

7. South Portland (Cumberland County)	Participants thus far from Cumberland County: 141	9/9, 9/10	60
8. Northern Maine locale (Aroostook County)	Participants thus far from Aroostook County: 30	9/25, 9/26	40
9. Belfast (Waldo County)	Participants thus far from Waldo County: 41	10/1, 10/2	50
10. Ellsworth/Bar Harbor (Hancock County)	Participants thus far from Hancock County: 36	10/23, 10/24	50
11. Orono (Penobscot County)	Participants thus far from Penobscot County: 58	11/4, 11/5	50
12. Portland (Cumberland County)	Participants thus far from Cumberland County: 141	11/18, 11/19	50

To learn more about TRC, click here. If you have additional questions regarding the third phase of TRC trainings, please contact the Maine DOE. Administrators are encouraged to reach out to Kellie Bailey, Maine DOE Social Emotional Learning Specialist, at kellie.bailey@maine.gov. School personnel are encouraged to reach out to Sarah Nelson, Maine DOE Student Engagement Specialist, at sarah.nelson@maine.gov.

This opportunity for Maine educators is made possible through Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding.

Katahdin Elementary School Honored for Healthy Afterschool Programming

Recently, the Maine Family Resource Center’s After School Program at Katahdin Elementary School received an Outstanding Star award from Bangor Public Health and Community Services. This award recognizes the school for its dedication to increasing students’ physical activity by establishing a Mileage Club in the After School Program.

Mileage Club is a physical activity challenge that engages students in a team atmosphere. Students can walk, run, or ride bicycles around Katahdin Elementary School’s half-mile outdoor trail, counting their distance traveled toward a larger group goal. Along the way, students get rewards, like differently-colored foot charms to go on necklaces they wear. These motivational activities keep kids moving and having fun.

“I decided to organize the Mileage Club as an avenue for students to participate in physical exercise,” Gail Pocock, Katahdin Elementary After School Program Coordinator, said. “My goal is to provide opportunities for children to experience and develop healthy lifestyle choices and spend less time on screens.”

This is the first year of Bangor Public Health and Community Services’ Outstanding Star recognition program. Staff from the Health Promotion Team at Bangor Public Health and Community Services nominated organizations and individuals based on the experiences they’ve had working with them.

The Healthy Eating Active Living Team (HEAL) for the city of Bangor nominated Pocock for the award. They have collaborated with Pocock since 2017 to ensure students in the often-underserved, rural community of Katahdin have access to as many programs and resources as possible to support their health. In addition to the Mileage Club, which began in 2023 at Katahdin Elementary School, Pocock has also included SNAP-Ed and Let’s Go! in the After School Program, both of which have been very successful.

“Students have voice and choice at our After School Program,” said Pocock.

“This is the best day ever,” one of the After School Program students said of the Mileage Club. “I get to ride a bike!”

Katahdin Elementary School and RSU 89 have invested in outdoor education through the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV) grant. It was with this funding that these outdoor trails were created at Katahdin Elementary School. The grant has also funded outdoor classrooms, gear, and clothing to encourage more outdoor learning.

Nine organizations and individuals were recognized this year as Outstanding Stars by Bangor Public Health and Community Services. For more information about this award, click here.

Information for this story was provided by Bangor Public Health and Community Services and Katahdin Elementary School. To share good news from your school, fill out the Maine DOE good news submission form.