Category: Newsroom Articles

Yarmouth High School ELO Coordinator Supporting and Empowering Students to Explore Career Paths

At Yarmouth High School, Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Coordinator Brittany Brockelbank is supporting students in exploring their career interests. From finding internships and work studies to connecting students with mentors in the community, Brockelbank is helping students engage with their learning while also preparing them for their future careers.  

 

Working with other faculty and staff at Yarmouth, Brockelbank has been able to expand the school’s ELO program, now offering it to all students from freshmen to seniors.  

 

“All too often there are barriers or structures that contain students and point them in one direction,” said Brockelbank. “ELOs are an opportunity to empower students to go in any direction they’d like!” 

 

The school’s ELO program has allowed students to earn academic credit, pursue passion projects, and gain professional experience. Brockelbank says one of her favorites parts of the program is its power to transform students’ educational experiences. Students who were once less interested or engaged with their education have found immense success and enthusiasm for their learning through their ELOs.  

 

Brockelbank says the best part of her job is the ability to say yes so often when students come to her asking about ELOs they are interested in. This means saying yes to them earning credit, participating in a work study, working as a group, and much more. When discussing her position as ELO Coordinator, she said, “It is refreshing to be in education in a role where the answer is almost always yes, and where I get to learn alongside brilliant students every day.”  

 

Brockelbank would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their contributions to Yarmouth’s ELO program: Rebecca Spear from Partners in Education, JMG Specialist Madalyn Shircliff, the Yarmouth Education Fund, the Yarmouth Alumni Association, Allegiance Trucks, HB Fleming, and Autowerks.  

 

Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs) are hands-on, credit-bearing courses outside of the traditional classroom with an emphasis on community-based career exploration. These opportunities are personalized for students and help them explore options for their professional lives. They help students engage in learning through instruction, assignments, and experiential learning. The Maine Department of Education (DOE), along with state-wide partner Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG), have made a concerted effort to provide working models, support, and funding opportunities for Maine schools to set up ELO programs within their school communities. To learn more about Maine’s initiatives with extended learning opportunities, visit: https://www.maine.gov/doe/index.php/learning/elo or reach out to Maine DOE ELO Coordinator Rick Wilson at rick.wilson@maine.gov. 

Invitation to a Conceptual Conversation Regarding Adult Education Rule Chapters 221, 225, 229

Since 1979, Rule Chapters 221, 225, and 229 have outlined the processes by which high school equivalency credentials are conferred to Adult Education students. Much has changed since 1979, therefore, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is working on updating Rule Chapters 221, 225, and 229. 

The Department intends to take the following steps with respect to review of these rules:  

  • Rule Chapter 221 – Adult Education Administrative Cost Reimbursement 
  • Rule Chapter 225 – Adult High School Completion Programs 
  • Rule Chapter 229 – Adult Education Fees 

We will hold three regional meetings focused on ideas and goals relating to Adult Education regulations in a general sense. These meetings will be held across the state and will have Zoom links available for regional folks who are unable to attend in person. Stakeholders are invited to attend and provide input. These conversations will be facilitated by Maine DOE Director for Adult Education Megan Dichter, along with the Maine DOE rulemaking liaison Laura Cyr. Other Maine DOE members may join the conversations as their schedules allow. These conversations will be guided by the following discussion prompts. 

  1. What does high-quality Adult Education look like? 
  2. What aspects of Chapter 225 present barriers to delivering high-quality Adult Education programs leading to high school completion? 
  3. What aspects of Chapter 225 support the delivery of high-quality Adult Education programs leading to high school completion? 
  4. As Adult Education continues to expand collaboration with high schools, post-secondary institutions and industry partners, does Chapter 225 support or hinder these collaborations?
  5. How does Chapter 225 align with current instructional practices related to high school completion? 
  6. Does your Adult Ed Program accept external credit? If so, does Chapter 225 reflect your experience? 
  7. Are there challenges with Chapter 225 that impact program delivery leading to high school completion?  
  8. Do the categories in Chapter 221 adequately cover administrative costs for adult education programming?  
  9. Does Chapter 229 adequately describe the ways in which your program collects and utilizes fees? 

Dates and locations for these conversations are as follows:  

  • Monday, July 24th (3pm-5pm) Presque Isle Adult Education, 79 Blake Street, Suite 2, Presque Isle; Zoom Link 
  • Wednesday, August 16th (3pm,-5pm) Kennebec Valley Community College, 92 Western Avenue, King Hall, Lower Campus Center, Fairfield; Zoom Link  
  • Tuesday, August 22nd (3pm-5pm) Biddeford High School Library, 10-20 Maplewood Ave , Biddeford; Zoom Link 

Taking into consideration the insights gained from these discussions, the DOE will propose updates to Rule Chapters 221, 225, and 229 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 rules have 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 DOE will review all comments and respond accordingly.  Updates to the rules will then be submitted for review as to form and legality before final adoption.    

For more information about the conceptual conversations for Rule Chapters 221, 225, or 229, contact Laura Cyr at laura.cyr@maine.gov. 

Commissioner Makin Joins Students Participating in Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative Program in Port Clyde

Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin joined high school students as they dug clams and took part in hands-on coastal ecology learning opportunities at Herring Gut Coastal Science Center in Port Clyde.

The Herring Gut program, part of the Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative, provides students with a multi-day, immersive experience learning about coastal habitats and species. Students measured pH levels, studied coastal habitats while engaging in activities like digging clams, studied climate change in Maine, kayaked, learned about aquaculture, measured mussels being raised in Herring Gut’s historic lobster pound, and met with experts and those working in local marine-related industries.

Students across the state are spending their summers engaged in hands-on, project-based coastal ecology and forestry education programs through the Maine Outdoor Learning Initiative.

We’re Hiring! AmeriCorps Program Manager with the Maine Department of Education 

AmeriCorps Program Manager with the Maine Department of Education 

$24.77-$36.89 hourly range 

Are you seeking an opportunity to utilize your education and leadership experience to support future educators and students simultaneously?  This opportunity to join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) will allow you to expand your impact in education through management with two different cohorts of AmeriCorps members focused on supporting Child Development Services (CDS) preschool classrooms (CDS AmeriCorps) and incoming high school students in two rural schools (Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success).   

Child Development Services, a quasi-state agency providing special education services to eligible children from birth to 5 years old, has partnered with First4 AmeriCorps to make this opportunity possible through a program that includes receiving valuable early education training and supports, gaining vital hours of experience and mentoring in CDS preschool programs available throughout the state, and working with students with disabilities.  In another program focusing on older students, the Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports has partnered with two rural high schools in York County to provide AmeriCorps members to support incoming high school students.   

Your management and leadership of Maine DOE and CDS AmeriCorps programming will ensure students statewide experience improved outcomes in the areas of school readiness and success and provide a cohort of future Maine educators with the training and experiences needed to successfully launch their careers in education.  

To apply for this exciting opportunity to positively impact students and prepare future Maine educators, please send your cover letter and resume to Danielle McKay at danielle.mckay@maine.gov by Friday, July 14. 

Maine DOE AmeriCorps Program Manager Position 

The primary focus of this position is assisting in planning, research, development, and coordination of a CDS AmeriCorps initiative for special education services provided in preschool settings and a Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success (MAMS) pilot in two rural high schools in York County.  The program manager supports the development of CDS AmeriCorps and Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success through the coordination of community partnerships, providing targeted professional development and coaching for Americorps members, partnering with technical assistance providers, and supporting alternative pathways to becoming certified to teach or provide services in early childhood and secondary settings. More specifically, the program manager promotes the development and implementation of policies and procedures to improve outcomes for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and to improve mental health for students with limited access to enrichment opportunities due to socioeconomics, geography, etc.  

Types of decisions THE POSITION has authority to make: 

Makes decisions in collaboration with the Maine DOE and CDS regarding how best to support the tasks associated with the detailed timeline for the coordination of CDS AmeriCorps volunteers and Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success. 

Makes decisions in collaboration with the Maine DOE and CDS regarding managing, training, and supporting personnel, timelines, professional development, and data to support two AmeriCorps grants. 

Make decisions in collaboration with the Maine DOE and CDS including development and coordination of long-term initiatives and programs, including securing stakeholder involvement and training for the coordination of CDS AmeriCorps and Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success programming. 

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

  • Knowledge of management practices, organizational change technologies, and human resources management. 
  • Knowledge of project management principles and applications.  
  • Knowledge of staffing requirements and training development principles, practices, and techniques.  
  • Ability to plan, assign, and collaborate on managing the work of professional and technical staff members.  
  • Ability to plan, direct, and manage moderately complex tasks for the timeline and implementation plan proposed by CDS and Maine DOE.  
  • Ability to understand complex issues and negotiate amicable resolutions within a group setting.  
  • Ability to anticipate and analyze problems, reach logical conclusions, and make sound decisions.  
  • Ability to understand current policies and evaluate changing environments in order to recommend or implement changes or additions to policies.  
  • Ability to manage multiple complex, diverse, and concurrent activities.  
  • Ability to coordinate community partnerships.  
  • Ability to plan and assign the work of overseeing AmeriCorps volunteers.  
  • Ability to communicate effectively and write clearly and effectively.   
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.  
  • Ability to use information management tools, systems, and applications. 

POSITION responsibilities: 

  1. Assists the Maine DOE’s Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education and Office of School and Student Supports teams by presenting work issues that impact program management in order to provide input for decision making. 
  2. Plans, organizes, and directs a team of AmeriCorps members for a variety of projects in order to accomplish the purpose of the proposed CDS AmeriCorps and Maine AmeriCorps Mentors for Success initiatives. 
  3. Leads and oversees the program team through a process to include progress monitoring on the recruitment and retainment of the AmeriCorps volunteers. 
  4. Analyzes, prioritizes, and identifies issues in order to support effective collaboration. 
  5. Develops, coordinates, and implements high quality professional development to AmeriCorps volunteers. 
  6. Maintains and collects data, accurate schedules, budget, and additional information in order to ensure timely access and reporting for the Department on the progress of the initiatives. 
  7. Manage, supervise, evaluate, and support AmeriCorps members serving statewide to provide high quality programming in schools
  8. Facilitates communication with teams in order to discuss on-going project issues and facilitate collaboration.
  9. Conducts analyses and recommends alternative approaches to senior leadership in order to inform decision making. 
  10. Support both initiatives to ensure proper execution of the initiatives and adherence to federal guidelines. 
  11. Serve as a liaison between the Maine DOE certification team and AmeriCorps members to support AmeriCorps members in applying for Ed Tech I, II, and III endorsements. 
  12. Manage workflow to ensure timely completion of tasks in order to meet required timelines as well as Departmental needs. 
  13. Provide timely response to all constituent inquiries in area of responsibility in order to provide high level of customer service and transparency.
  14. Compile highlights and stories of the AmeriCorps programming to promote through DOE communications channels.
  15. Complete other duties/projects as assigned in order to meet Maine DOE’s OSSIE and OSSS.

 

 

You’re Invited! Maine DOE and UMaine to Host 2nd Annual Computer Science Education Showcase Event!

Join us for an afternoon of computer science(CS) fun and learn more about computer science education in the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) 2nd annual CS Ed Showcase! This event is supported by funding from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER).

The showcase highlights educators, students, community organizations, and other partners who are teaching, learning, and expanding access to and participation in computer science education. New to computer science? Not sure what computer science is? Looking to learn more about ways that computer science is taught and learned across the state? This is the event for you! Come and learn about how Maine is paving the way for students and teachers to be successful in the world of computer science.

When: August 17th, 4:00 pm-6:30 pm

Where: Collins Center at the University of Maine at Orono.

Register here to attend this free event!

Want to know more? Check out this article featuring last year’s showcase.

Interested in exhibiting something you’re doing with CS Ed? Fill out this brief form.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about the Computer Science Showcase, please reach out to the Maine DOE Computer Science Specialist, Emma-Marie Banks at: emma-marie.banks@maine.gov

County Teachers of the Year Share Positive Stories and Advocate for Educators, Students in Meeting with Senator King’s Office

 The teacher leaders from the Maine Teacher of the Year program including 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year Matt Bernstein and the 2023 Maine County Teachers of the year got the opportunity to meet with representatives from Senator Angus King’s office. Deputy Legislative Director Sanjay Kane and Legislative Aid Kate Durost of Senator King’s office joined the teachers via a Zoom video call to give them the chance to speak about important topics and issues in Maine schools and the teaching profession.

The meeting began with introductions and a welcome from Maine Teacher of the Year Matt Bernstein who led the hour-long conversation.

A point of pride that the teachers shared at the meeting was the tremendous sense of support and comradery they felt through the Maine Teacher of the Year Program. The newly formed 2023 County Teacher of the Year cohort gave them a much-needed network with educators across Maine and a sense of purpose in representing fellow educators and their own school communities. One suggestion made by 2023 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year Jessica Archer, was to create a state-wide hub for educators to connect with and support each other.

One of the first topics of discussion was teacher retention, which became a recurring theme of the meeting. Many of the educators on the call expressed the need to recruit and inspire people to become educators, especially in Maine but also felt that it is important to note that teachers do not always feel supported in the ways they need most.

“We’re doing more with less at the moment,” said 2023 Aroostook County Teacher of the Year Emily Rosser when speaking on the burnout and lack of resources faced by teachers. Rosser went on to say that while she wants to bring more people into teaching, those currently teaching are very tired—a sentiment echoed by many others throughout the call.

Proposed solutions for attracting new teachers while also supporting current ones included increasing funding for education, in addition to emotional and mental health support services. Teachers also advocated for more professional development opportunities with 2023 Franklin County Teacher of the Year Maryam Emami saying, “we need to start treating teachers as professionals.”

Other topics of conversation ranged from issues with school funding to the impact of homelessness and immigration policy on the well-being and education of students. Universal pre-K and quality civics education were also advocated for during the meeting. “Everything that impacts kids is education policy,” said Bernstein about the variety of topics covered.

As the end of the meeting approached, Kane assured the teachers that Senator King and his office want to help and support them. After recognizing their hard work and leadership, Kane closed his remarks by telling the teachers, “We have your back,” a message he shared from Senator King.

As part of their year of service in the Teacher of the Year Program, Maine’s State and County Teachers of the Year serve as advocates for teachers, students, and public education in Maine. They also receive ongoing professional learning and participate in many state and county leadership opportunities. 

In partnership with the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine. Funding is provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River Co., Geiger, Hannaford, the Maine Lottery, the Silvernail Family, Unum, and Pratt and Whitney with support from the State Board of Education and the Maine State and County Teacher of the Year Association. For more information about the Maine Teacher of the Year program, visit the Maine Teacher of the Year website. 

Reminder: Daily Attendance Certification Due 7/15

Daily attendance report certifications for the 2022-2023 school year are due on Saturday, July 15th. All reports must be reviewed and certified in NEO by superintendents in all LEAs.

This report is looking at individual days of attendance entered into Synergy for each student including Present, Unexcused, and Excused days of attendance.

Reporting Resources:

For training in the completion of these reports please contact Data Quality Trainer Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov or call 207-446-3897

For issues with reports in Synergy and/or NEO please contact MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896

Caribou 8th Graders Collaborate with Local Historical Society on Student-Created Podcasts

The Caribou Historical Society hosted Caribou Community School (CCS) 8th-grade podcasters recently, to celebrate the unveiling of student-created podcasts with a listening party and ribbon-cutting ceremony. This event was the culmination of a year-long collaborative project between the two groups.

8th graders began this project when MLTI Ambassadors from the Maine Department of Education visited Caribou Community School to teach students how to use WeVideo to create podcasts. From this learning experience, 8th grade teachers Kim Barnes, Heather Anderson, Troy Barnes, Holly Rhinebolt, and Special Education teacher Twyla Learnard met with Christina Kane-Gibson, director of the Caribou Historical Society to see how 8th grade students might be able to help digitize exhibits at the Caribou Historical Society Museum. 

Gibson loaned local school history artifacts for students to examine in their ELA classes. Artifacts included yearbooks, photographs, lesson plan books, report cards, graduation certificates, and even old PA speakers.  As they worked, students generated questions they had about the history of education in Aroostook County in order to interview retired teachers to really learn what school was like thirty to fifty years ago.  Twyla Learnard, Special Education teacher commented on the impact of the inclusion of all students in this project. Learnard said, “I was astonished to see students who typically struggle academically, delve into the podcast project with such enthusiasm. It allowed them to script, write, story tell, and converse adding a whole new dimension to their learning. The project produced incredible educational dividends!” 

Retired Aroostook Teachers assembled at CCS in March to be interviewed. Diane Fitzpatrick, Ellen Cleaves, Phil Caverhill, Margaret Cyr, Ron Willey, Lou Willey, Denise Levesque, John Hedman, and Dwight Hunter served on an interview panel and they answered question students created from their research. Students enjoyed learning about how different school days were from today, how world events, like the Challenger Explosion and 9/11 impacted students in the classroom, but also came to understand that teachers never really retire. The retired teacher panel was definitely a highlight of the year. Teacher Troy Barnes said about the event, “The beauty of the entire event was how the panel was able to encapsulate a wealth of educational experiences and share these in a way that had the students on the edge of their seats with extreme interest. These educators had been out the classroom for some time, but it was evident that they were still teachers at heart.”

From their research and interviews, twenty-five podcasts about various topics from Snow Days in the Ige Age and Lunch and Recess in the Old Days to Title IX: Sports for Girls and World Events in the Classroom were created. Kane-Gibson said this about the project, “It’s so innovative. The students have been working since February to research, write, and record these listener experiences. The podcasts will be accessible by a QR code that visitors can scan with their smartphones.”

These podcasts will continue to be on display for patrons of the museum to enjoy.

 

New School Nurse Orientation Registration Now Open! 

If you have hired or will be hiring a new nurse for your school over the summer? Be sure to include this workshop in their new hire work plan. The Maine Department of Education’s New School Nurse Orientation is a specialized program, designed to help nurses transition into the unique specialty of school nursing. 

This one-day event will be followed up with a monthly virtual Community of Practice for continued learning, connection, and support.  

For more information reach out to Emily Poland at emily.poland@maine.gov

ESEA Annual Comprehensive Needs Assessments (CNA) Updates

Another annual process for SAUs is meeting with a variety of stakeholders to update their district and school Comprehensive Needs Assessments (CNA) based on new data. As part of the ESEA application, districts are asked to document the high-needs areas of their districts and schools, as well as the data sources they used to make those determinations, the names of the stakeholders involved, and the dates the updates were conducted.

Members of the ESEA team recently held a joint session with the assessment team to discuss with school administrative units (SAUs) how the change to the Maine Through-Year Assessment will affect the CNA process.

Watch a recording of ESEA & Assessment Teams Joint Information Session:

SAUs must update as much of their CNA as possible before the initial submission of the FY24 ESEA Application (due August 1st) to determine high areas of need and to generate goals—particularly the required non-academic goal(s).

SAUs without alternative assessment data will need to further update their CNA and generate academic goals when state assessment results become available.

For Substantial Approval, math and literacy goal requirements at both the school and district levels will be temporarily waived; non-academic goals will still be required.

SAUs may put placeholder information into the required fields of the application when applicable.

For Final Approval, all district and school goal requirements must be met.

For more information reach out to Maine DOE ESEA Federal Programs Director Cheryl L. Lang at Cheryl.Lang@maine.gov.