The White House honored Linda St. Andre, principal of Governor James B. Longley Elementary School in Lewiston, among 12 distinguished school turnaround leaders named “Champions of Change” last week.

When St. Andre became principal of Longley in 2010, the school had been identified as one of Maine’s lowest performing schools and was in the process of accepting a federal School Improvement Grant (SIG). As a result, Longley became the first Maine school to implement the turnaround model.

Continue reading “Lewiston teacher hailed “Champion of Change” by White House” →

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has called on America’s youth to take the Stop Bullying Video Challenge.

Continue reading “Students: take Stop Bullying Video Challenge” →

Thanks to LearningWorks for sharing the following article with the Maine DOE for publication.

How does a kite stay airborne? How does the design of a leaf impact its ability to move through the air? How do birds use their beaks to get food?

Over the course of four weeks this summer, third, fourth and fifth grade students at Reiche Community School and East End Community School in Portland  have had the opportunity to ask these questions, and explore the answers through hands-on activities combined with research and study. Continue reading “LearningWorks summer programs diminish learning loss” →

Employers are required to display certain posters in the workplace where workers can see them. Rather than pay private companies for the posters, school districts, as well as Maine businesses, can obtain all copies of the posters for free. Continue reading “Required workplace law posters free to schools, businesses” →

By Alana Margeson

July was a thrilling month as Maine Teacher of the Year—it involved Bill Gates and Space Camp. My head was spinning…in part from the amount of information to be digested from a national conference on educational policy, and in part due to the multi-axis trainer at Space Camp.

The 2012 Education Commission of the States National Forum on Educational Policy was held July 9 to 11 in Atlanta, Ga. All state teachers of the year were invited this year and were generously sponsored by Pearson Foundation to attend. Keynote speakers included Bill Gates, Sandra Day O’Connor, John Merrow and Michael Fullan. Presenters from all over the world offered more than two dozen sessions, from Common Core State Standards and assessments to reinvigorating civic education.

Continue reading “Finding my center” →