Category: Newsroom Articles

Buxton Science Teacher from Bonny Eagle Middle School Selected as 2023 National STEM Scholar

The National Stem Cell Foundation and The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science have announced that Erin Hullinger, a science teacher from Bonny Eagle Middle School in Buxton, ME, is among ten teachers from eight states who have been selected to participate in the prestigious National STEM Scholar Program, a unique professional development program providing advanced STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) training, national network building and project support for middle school science teachers nationwide.

Created in partnership between the National Stem Cell Foundation and The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University (WKU), the National STEM Scholar Program selects ten teachers each year from a national pool of applicants based solely on the description of a “big idea” Challenge Project the applicant would implement in their classroom if funds were available. Selected projects are chosen for maximum impact in middle school classrooms where research shows lifelong STEM career decisions are being made. STEM Scholars convene on WKU’s campus for a week of advanced STEM training and finalize their projects with input from their STEM Scholar class colleagues.

The 2023 National STEM Scholar class will be hosted by The Gatton Academy from May 29th to June 2nd on the campus of WKU in Bowling Green, KY. The other National STEM Scholars include:

  • Laura Cummings, Haleiwa, HI – Sunset Beach Elementary School
  • James “JJ” Frye, Leitchfield, KY – Grayson County Middle School
  • Emily Harer, St. Paul, MN – Global Arts Plus – Upper Campus
  • Patricia “Pati” Huntington, San Diego, CA – Farb Middle School
  • Jennifer “Jenny” McCall, Lexington, KY – Winburn Middle School
  • Michele Mitnitsky, Sanibel, FL – The Sanibel School
  • Teresa Robertson, Munfordville, KY – Munfordville Elementary School
  • Sarah StCyr, Sulphur, LA – W.W. Lewis Middle School
  • Kandice Taylor, Jackson, MS – Brinkley Middle School

Studies show that middle school students who become excited about science are the ones who will pursue STEM courses in high school and major in them at the technical and college level. At a pivotal time in decision-making that will open or close the door to opportunity, however, nearly 50% of 8th graders in America lose interest in pursuing the STEM-related subjects increasingly required for 21st-century jobs.

Now in its 8th year, there are 80 National STEM Scholars representing middle schools in 33 states. 91% teach in public schools, 41% teach in mid- to high-poverty schools and 38% teach in communities with a population under 15,000. A unique requirement of the program is the responsibility for STEM Scholars to share lessons learned with colleagues in their home schools, districts or states, magnifying impact over multiple classrooms and years. By June 2023, National STEM Scholars will have directly and indirectly impacted more than 104,000 middle school students in the U.S.

For more information about the National Stem Cell Foundation, visit their website: www.nationalstemcellfoundation.org.

For more information about The Gatton Academy their website: https://www.wku.edu/academy/

Maine DOE’s Joshua Schmidt Named Outstanding Achievement in Instructional Technology by UMaine

Joshua Schmidt is the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Achievement in Instructional Technology Award from the collaborative program in Instructional Technology and the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development.

Joshua is a MLTI Ambassador with the Maine Department of Education (DOE) (MLTI stands for Maine Learning Technology Initiative). This two-year distinguished educator role allows him to provide instructional coaching and professional learning to educators all over the state. As a member of the MLTI 2.0 team, Joshua has been working on creating asynchronous professional development videos, trainings on new resources, individual teacher support, and even a new podcast, Teaching with Tech. Joshua also loves to use the new skills from his instructional technology program to bring more computational thinking and STEAM-based strategies to schools and classrooms.

Prior to his work at the DOE, Joshua was a middle school math teacher at China Middle School for five years. He helped create their 3D printing program and led the professional development and data committee along with being a team leader for two years. Before teaching in Maine, Joshua taught in South Dakota for seven years, where he worked closely with TIE (Technology and Innovation in Education). His work with customized learning and data-informed practices gave him the opportunity to present twice at the National Customized Learning Summit, which helped lead him to Maine.

When he’s not working, Joshua loves to spend time with his wonderful wife, Krista, and their energetic three-year-old, Corrin.

This writeup was written by the UMaine College of Education and Human Development.

Webinar: End of Year Enrollment Exits – May 23, 2023

Join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Data Team for an interactive webinar about exiting student enrollments at the end of the school year. No registration is required to join. The Join Live event link below will be active on the date and time of the webinar.

Maine DOE staff member Shawn Lagasse will also be joining the webinar to review the 3S1 Perkins Career & Technical Education (CTE) report as well.

The webinar will be recorded and posted to the Webinars and Presentations page on the Helpdesk Website. It may take a few days to get the recording posted, however, it will be available as soon as possible.

If this webinar is canceled, there will be a notice posted on the Helpdesk Website at the top of the page.

End-of-Year Enrollment Exits Webinar:

For questions about data reporting webinars please contact Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov

MADSEC Names 2023 Special Education Honorees of the Year

Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC) has announced its 2023 Honorees of the Year working in the field of Special Education in Maine schools.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) joins MADSEC in congratulating these individuals on their recent honor as well as thanking all the professionals who work in the field of special education supporting students.
MADSEC will be honoring the awardees at their annual Directors’ Academy in June.
To learn more about MADSEC and these awards visit their website: https://www.madsec.org/ 

Maine DOE Child Nutrition Team Hosts Training Opportunities for Child and Adult Food Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Child Nutrition Team recently hosted two Child and Adult Food Program training opportunities this spring in Augusta and Brewer.

Maine DOE staff members, Alissa Mank, and April Taylor provided CACFP Sponsors with information on program updates as well as hands-on refresher training on enrollments and Income Eligibility forms, meal patterns, identifying whole grain-rich items, ounce equivalents, posted menu requirements, cereal and yogurt sugar limits, and tracking their income and expenses.

To learn more about the Child and Adult Food Program visit this webpage. If you have questions regarding the Child and Adult Care Food Program, please contact a member of the Child Nutrition staff.

Subscribe to the Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Newsletter 

Are you looking for ways to enhance your instructional practices and transfer your students’ learning to the next level? Look no further.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction team has created a monthly newsletter that you can subscribe to. This newsletter will highlight innovative interdisciplinary classroom resources and upcoming professional learning opportunities.

To subscribe, click the link below, fill in your contact information, and click “Interdisciplinary Instruction” in the “Subscribe me to” section where you will also find an array of other content-specific newsletters you can subscribe to. When the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team publishes a new newsletter, it will automatically arrive in your inbox.

Subscribe here (Please note that if you are already subscribed to Maine DOE publications like the Maine DOE Update or other newsletters we publish, when you submit your information you will be redirected to update your preferences.)

For further information or questions, reach out the Maine DOE’s Interdisciplinary Instruction Team by contacting Kathy Bertini at kathy.bertini@maine.gov.

 

Reminder of Spring/Summer Book Study Opportunities: ‘Social Emotional Playbook,’ and ‘This Is Your Brain On Stereotypes’

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is offering Read Them Your Way book studies on two different titles this spring and summer.

  • The Social Emotional Playbook, written by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey and Dominque Smith is described by publisher Corwin as an “interactive playbook (which) provides the language, moves and evidence-based advice you need to nurture social and emotional learning in yourself, your students and your school.”  The book is divided into six modules.  This text is designed for educators.
  • This Is Your Brain On Stereotypes written by Tanya Lloyd Kyi and illustrated by Drew Shannon is described by publisher Kids Can Press as being, “an essential overview of the science behind stereotypes, from why our brains form them to how recognizing them can help us be less biased…This timely and hopeful book addresses the issues of discrimination, racism, sexism, ableism, and homophobia and offers concrete suggestions on how to make change.  It uses scientific inquiry and loads of relatable and interesting examples to explore these uncomfortable topics in age-appropriate ways.  Chapters, sidebars, and colorful illustrations break the text into manageable chunks.  Besides the many ways this book could be used to inspire frank and in-depth discussions on the importance of addressing stereotypes and bias, it also links to many science and social studies curriculum topics.  Backmatter includes an extensive list of sources, suggestions for further reading and an index.”  This text is designed for educators and is recommended for students 11 and up.

Read Them Your Way

  1. Choose to organize a professional community read. Maine DOE facilitation of a live, interactive, inquiry based discussion is available. Discussions of The Social Emotional Learning Playbook would be facilitated over six weeks, one week per module. Discussions of This Is Your Brain On Stereotypes would be facilitated over one session.
  2. Read individually, at your own pace, and post your thinking on a shared jamboard with other education professionals across Maine. Comment on the thoughts of others w/ MDOE moderation.
  3. Read on your own and join in a live discussion.
    • One session LIVE, interactive, inquiry based discussions of The Social Emotional Learning Playbook will be hosted by the MDOE at 4pm on 6/1, 6/29, 7/20 & 8/17. Register here. Breakout groups will be by module, as engagement allows.
    • One session LIVE, interactive, inquiry based discussions of This Is Your Brain On Stereotypes will occur at 4pm on 5/31, 6/28, 7/19 and 8/16. Register here. Breakout groups will be used depending on engagement.

Contact hours are available for all opportunities.

Questions?  Please contact Sarah Norsworthy, SEL Implementation Specialist at sarah.norsworthy@maine.gov.

MLTI Launches Cyber Performance Grants!

The Maine Department of Education’s Maine Learning through Technology Initiative (MLTI) will release Cyber Performance Grants to help districts bolster network security and safety as defined by CISA’s 2023 recommendations to K12 schools.

Districts can apply for support and assistance with cybersecurity needs to better align themselves with CISA recommendations.   A few examples include:

  • Upgrading Firewalls, Switching, and Access Points
  • Multifactor Authentication Implementation
  • Student Data Privacy Actions
  • Incident Response Plans (Creating/Enhancing)
  • Transitioning to Cloud Services
  • Vulnerability Scanning and or Assessments
  • Cybersecurity Planning and Professional Development
  • Patch Management
  • Phishing/Malware/Ransomware Training
  • Awareness Campaigns
  • Minimizing Public Facing Exposures
  • Data backup upgrades
  • Alignment with CISA’s Cross-Sector Cyber Security Performance Goals (CPG)

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) report, Protecting Our Future– Partnering to Safeguard K-12 Organizations from Cybersecurity Threats is a required component of the federal Cybersecurity Act of 2022.  The report findings and recommendations to schools can be found within the report and toolkit for schools.

The report begins, “Malicious cyber actors are targeting K–12 education organizations across the country, with potentially catastrophic impacts on students, their families, teachers, and administrators. A new report from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) helps schools reduce the risks of a cyber catastrophe.”

CISA’s recommendations include investing in the most impactful security measures and building toward a mature cybersecurity plan, recognizing, and actively addressing resource constraints, and focusing on collaboration and information sharing.

Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received, and awards will be made based on impact, presented needs, and alignment with CISA recommendations.

Important Dates:

Informational sessions:

  • Wednesday, May 24th at 12:30 pm
  • Friday, May 26th at 12:30 pm
  • Tuesday, May 30th at 9:00 am
  • Tuesday, May 30th at 12:30 pm

Applications are due Friday, June 23rd

For more information about MLTI initiatives, go to https://www.maine.gov/doe/Learning/LTT/MLTI/2.0

Have questions? Want more information? Contact James Chasse, Infrastructure Specialist:  james.chasse@maine.gov

Additional School Nurses Complete National Certification

Six more nurses have joined the original 30 school nurses who completed the National Certification in School Nursing this school year.

As part of the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) efforts to provide opportunities to the current workforce of school nurses to build upon their expertise and to promote evidence-based practice in all Maine schools, the Maine DOE hosted a National Certification in School Nursing (NCSN) Review Course created by Nurse Builders this past fall.

Maine school nurses participated in the course that was delivered online synchronously by Dr. Janice Selekman, DNSc, RN, NCSN, FNASN. As of May 2023, 36 school nurses have now taken the course and passed the exam to become fully certified. These school nurses can now use the NCSN credentials, a nationally accredited credential that validates specialized knowledge and expertise, as a school nurse.

The National Association of School Nurses endorses national certification of school nurses through the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN). School nursing is a subspecialty of public health nursing, incorporated into the baccalaureate nursing programs’ curriculum. Baccalaureate nursing education develops leadership, critical thinking, quality improvement, and systems thinking competencies attained through a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing and validated by specialized certification in school nursing (IOM, 2011).

Congratulations to the following Maine School Nurses who completed the NCSN certification!

Sarah DeCato, Maine DOE
Jaime Gregory, RSU 13
Heidi Hinckley, MSAD 11
Karen Jenkins, Cape Elizabeth Schools
Rachel Prostasewich, RSU 21
Erin Taylor, Cape Elizabeth Schools

Here is a listing of the first 30 school nurses to complete the certification:

Jean Barbour, Falmouth Schools
Melissa Bishop, Mount Desert Island Regional School System
Brenda Bladen, Kittery School Department
Jennifer Bowdish, Brunswick School Department
Nell Bridger, Portland Public Schools
Angie Buker, MSAD 46
April Chapman, Blue Hill Consolidated School
Michele Cooney, RSU 40
Jean Cote, Waterville Public Schools
Candace Crocker, AOS 98
Sarah DeWitt, Winslow Public Schools
Heather Emerson, RSU 40
Jody Gray, RSU 4
Crystal Greaves, MSAD 46
Emily Guyer, RSU 5
Lori Huot, Maine DOE
Brittany Layman, RSU 22
Melanie Lord, Yamouth Schools
Monique Michaud, MSAD 27
Shirah O’Connell, Portland Public Schools
Tara Oxley, Erskine Academy
Alyssa Rainey, Waterville Public Schools
Cathryn Sherman, Brewer School Department
Elizabeth Spaulding, Portland Public Schools
Janneke Strickland, RSU 9
Melissa Tringali, Gorham Schools
Sherri Vail, RSU 40
Rosemary Wiser, MSAD 44
Jessi Woodman, MSAD 6

For additional information about this opportunity, reach out to Emily Poland, Maine DOE School Nurse Consultant at emily.poland@maine.gov.

Stronger Connections Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA #202304093) 

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is accepting applications from school administrative units (SAUs) and Education in the Unorganized Territory (EUT) who meet a poverty certification rate at or above 35% to design and enhance initiatives that will promote safer, more inclusive, and positive school environments for all students, educators, and school staff.  The US Department of Education designated a component of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to the Stronger Connections Grant Program. Maine received $4.8 million, of which $4,591,384 is allocated for SAUs and EUT that meet the poverty rate indicated above. 

Eligible schools that are interested in the Stronger Connections Grant Program opportunity may access the application through the Grant RFPs and RFAs webpage.   

A timeline for the RFA process is provided below.  

  • May 24, 2023 – RFA Question submission deadline  
  • June 28, 2023 – RFA Submission deadline  

All questions about the Stronger Connections Grant Program RFA should be submitted to the Grant Coordinator: Bethany Cunningham, Program Manager, Office of School and Student Supports, Bethany.Cunningham@maine.gov