Maine Department of Education staff recorded a special video message for Maine teachers thanking and honoring them for the difference they make for their students and school communities. From all of us at the Maine Department of Education, Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
Category: Newsroom Articles
Teachers Appreciating Teachers: Jonesboro Elementary Teachers Flip Beloved Coworker’s Classroom
(Pictured: The team who helped with the classroom flip)
When Patty Wallace walked into her classroom, at Jonesboro Elementary, on the evening of Tuesday, April 18th, she thought she was coming in to check on a water leak. Several of her co-workers were quietly waiting for her! For the previous 3 days, the group had been working on a complete classroom makeover to surprise Patty.
Mrs. Wallace is the kind of person who will jump in and help anyone whenever they need it. So when fellow teacher, Sheena Frazier, came up with the room redo idea, plenty of people wanted to jump in and help return the favor!
“She is the most humble person I’ve ever met,” says Sheena. “I’ve always loved decorating my room and I’ve always loved sharing ideas with Patty. Last summer when I was sharing some ideas about my room with her, I told her I wanted to make all of my bookshelves black. Patty mentioned that when I decided to paint them to let her know because she wanted to paint hers black too. I was always encouraging her to paint her room! I even told her that I was going to paint her room for her when she wasn’t there! As you know, summers fly and your time seems limited on prepping for the next year. The time just never seemed to be there.”
Fast forward to 4 weeks ago, the idea occurred to Sheena again. “I was going to tackle her room, unbeknownst to her, because I felt she deserved it. Patty’s year has been a pretty rough one. She deserved a little pick me up!”
Sheena began talking to other coworkers and sharing her ideas. Without hesitation, one friend wanted to help. It trickled into a domino effect because then another friend wanted to be in on it. Finally, the group shared the idea with the principal, Marjorie Hicks, who is Patty’s best friend and knows her the best.
“I wanted to make sure this was something Patty would like before going and making such a drastic change to someone else’s room,” said Sheena. Marjorie was definitely on board and thought it was a great idea and also thought it was very well deserving. So, with more people on board, colors decided, and items being ordered for the room, the project was planned to be done during April Break. With Patty having such a crazy year, everyone agreed that this classroom revamp would be the boost to carry Patty through the rest of the year in a beautiful new classroom.
Sunday, April 16th was demo day!
Day 1 was packing day, moving things out, and painting walls. Her bookshelves went to the gym to be painted black, and books were boxed up and moved to the library and other rooms. Keeping things sorted and separated would make putting things back so much easier. On Day two furniture was placed, shelves hung, and curriculum books placed back in order. On day three the group finished up by organizing her items, color coding her books in a rainbow pattern, matching the main mason jars of colored pencils to the books, making her desk area personal with family photos, putting together her brand new chair and hanging curtains and plants to add the final touches.
“We couldn’t believe we had finished in such a short amount of time. We were so excited to do the reveal. We couldn’t wait another day.” Mrs. Hicks called Patty in a “panic” saying there was a leak at the school and she needed her help asap! Patty rushed over and walked in completely shocked. It was definitely a happy, tearful event watching her walk around and looking at all of the little things that had been done specially for her.
It was the perfect transformation Tuesday! There were so many helpers! Along with, Sheena Frazier, Laurel Hoppe, Stacy Gardner, Hailey Jordan, Ann Grange, Tracy Smith, Jeanne Whitney, and principal Marjorie Hicks all worked as a team to make the change. On day one the room could never have been dismantled nearly as quickly without some very helpful and kind-hearted young men! They finished within an hour! Thank you so much Ethan, Tristan, Derek Jyus, and Kauai!
Patty’s room is absolutely beautiful. Check out this amazing transformation! Thank you Mrs. Wallace for everything you always do for others. This is just one way for everyone to show you how much you are appreciated!
Patty Wallace, 7th/8th grade elementary teacher
Two Maine Students Named 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the 59th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing 161 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields.
The Maine scholars include (hometown, scholar, school, location):
- ME – Falmouth – Patrick Michael Wahlig, Falmouth High School, Falmouth, Maine.
- ME – Falmouth – Coco Leqi Xu, Falmouth High School, Falmouth, Maine.
“U.S. Presidential Scholars have always represented the future of our country and the bright promise it holds. I want each of these remarkable students to know: your passion and intellect, pursuit of excellence, and spirit of service are exactly what our country needs,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “On behalf of President Biden, I am delighted to join your family, friends, and communities in celebrating your accomplishments. Aim high, share your talents, and continue embracing opportunities to lead as your exciting future unfolds.”
The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community service and leadership.
Of the 3.7 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,000 candidates qualified for the 2023 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT or ACT exams or through nominations made by chief state school officers, other partner recognition organizations and YoungArts, the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists.
As directed by Presidential Executive Order, the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars are comprised of one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and U.S. families living abroad, as well as 15 chosen at-large, 20 scholars in the arts and 20 scholars in career and technical education.
Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 8,000 of the nation’s top-performing students. The program was expanded in 1979 to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, literary and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
The Presidential Scholars Class of 2023 will be recognized for their outstanding achievement this summer with an online recognition program.
A complete list of 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available at http://www.ed.gov/psp.
Co-Teaching Community of Practice Last Chance to Register- Starts May 10th 3:30 pm
Learn and develop an enhanced understanding of what it means to co-teach, plan, and assess with your colleagues. Join as a solo practitioner or with team members. By joining this Community of Practice; facilitated and supported by MAIER‘s Research Associate, Dr. Anica Miller Rushing, and 2Teach’s talented Dr. Melissa Jenkins, you will increase your ability to use these practical, innovative, and research-based strategies to improve Universally Designed Instruction in today’s inclusive classrooms and organizations. Meetings start May 10th, get more info and register HERE. Don’t miss out!
Contact hours are available. For more information please reach out to Anica Miller Rushing anica.miller.rushing@maine.edu.
Riot Refurb: A Device Repair Lab
(Pictured: Intro to Computer Science students repair broken equipment with the purpose of donating them to people in need. Photo credit: Julie York)
What is the best way to learn about computer hardware? Look inside! That is exactly what Julie York’s students did in their Intro to Computer Science course while also contributing to their community. During their Device Repair Lab, these students gained valuable computer science and career knowledge and skills while rebuilding devices, like iPads, Chromebooks, and MacBooks. While some devices are sold at a discounted price, others are donated to organizations and people in need. Any funds from the sales go back into the program to purchase chargers and materials. To date, students have repaired over 200 devices.
As anyone with device problems could attest to, students needed patience and persistence, as well as concentration as they performed the challenging and delicate work of device repair. Students learned valuable computer science skills, such as disassembling devices, reassembling them, and diagnosing problems. They also had to use computational thinking to identify the problem and how to fix it, develop efficient procedures for cleaning devices, and deduce patterns in computer issues to streamline their work. As one student said, “I found the whole process very interesting.” Another one said, “This is something I could do in the future.”
Beyond the computer science skills they developed, students also learned valuable career skills like leadership and collaboration. As one student put it, “I think that teamwork was the most important skill for the success of this lab because I think that everything is better when it’s done as a team.” This student went on to say that without leadership “the group I was helping would’ve been in a mess.” Students also incorporated art and communication skills as they designed flyers, made video ads, and wrote repair reports.
Many students in Julie’s class are multilingual learners. She scaffolded their language development by providing instructions in their primary language and opportunities to read, speak, and listen in English. While they were developing their English skills, students were also able to learn the computer science material, and develop important career and leadership skills.
The Riot Refurb program has gotten positive feedback from community members. One person who received refurbished equipment shared, “Thank you so much for doing this. I have 4 kiddos, so this is a big help for my family!” Another student, who got a laptop, talked about how he would use his new device to edit videos. Through this project-based program, students can themselves as changemakers in both their school community and beyond.
While the class is now learning about coding, they are still looking to connect with people and organizations in need of devices. Click here for more information about this program.
The Maine DOE encourages all schools and districts across the State of Maine to learn more about interdisciplinary instruction on our website or by contacting our Interdisciplinary Instruction Team Coordinator at Kathy.bertini@maine.gov
Webinar: Maine Schools Application – May 9, 2023
The Maine Schools and Maine School Approval report has opened as of May 1st. In order to support the completion of this report the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Data team will be hosting a webinar on May 9th specific to reporting requirements for this collection. No registration is required to join. The Join Live event link below will be active on the date and time indicated by the webinar.
Maine Schools Application Webinar:
- May 9th at 10:00 am
- Join the Live event here on May 9th
The webinar will be recorded and posted to the webinar page on the Helpdesk Website. It may take a few days to get the recording posted, however, they 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.
For questions about data reporting webinars please contact Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov
Using Genealogy to Teach Inclusive History Pilot Program
The Maine DOE is accepting applications for a pilot program with the American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society. Help students think like a historian and learn how to trace families back in time. Receive inquiry-based lessons that incorporate authentic methodologies used by professional genealogists. Lessons guide students through conducting family history research, and students will hone their research skills using primary sources and case studies from local Native American and African American history. Go beyond family trees and help students make real-world, personal connections to history.
Lesson Plans that Support Students to:
- Plan and carry out research
- Analyze and evaluate genealogical sources
- Draw conclusions and support claims with evidence
- Provide guided practice with primary sources (census records, vital records, photographs, etc.)
Case Studies
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Figures and events from Maine Indigenous and African American history
Inclusive Teaching Strategies
- Make genealogy accessible to all students
- Navigate sensitive topics with students
- Address common misconceptions about genealogy
This year-long pilot begins with an in-person workshop in June. During the 2023-2024 school year, the American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society will provide two virtual sessions to support teachers using these resources in their classrooms. Additionally, the DOE will conduct a monthly virtual PLC to provide a space for teachers to collaborate.
Application Deadline: June 1 , 2023, Click to Apply
For Teachers of Grades: 4-8 Cost: Free
| In-person workshop | Virtual Follow-Up Sessions |
Virtual PLC |
| Date: Monday, June 26, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Location: Maine DOE Augusta, ME |
Date: October & March
Time: TBD Location: Zoom
|
Date: Once a month beginning in November
Time: TBD Location: Zoom
|
For more information about this program, please contact Jaime Beal, aine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist.
Additional Support for 2023 Summer Learning and Enrichment Programming
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to announce that $2 million dollars of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding will support additional summer learning and enrichment programming for PreK – grade 12 students this summer. This follows the recent award of $2.1 million to 63 school administrative units (SAUs) to support summer enrichment programming through the Title I Summer Reallocation Grant.
The ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding can provide broad support for summer learning and enrichment programs. SAUs should consider a variety of options for summer learning and enrichment programming such as an SAU run program and/or partnerships with non-profit or community organizations to address students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs through a combination of activities. SAUs should maximize enrollment in summer learning and enrichment programs, with a particular focus on underserved students and students most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while addressing the needs of students of all ages. Evidence-based summer learning and enrichment programs are further described in Volume 2 of the U.S. Department of Education’s COVID-19 Handbook available at: https://www2.ed.gov/documents/coronavirus/reopening-2.pdf.
The application for the ARP ESSER summer learning and enrichment programming competitive grant is now OPEN within the GRANTS4ME platform.
The ARP Summer Learning and Enrichment Application will utilize the Title I Summer Reallocation Grant template. Please navigate to the Grants4ME platform 2023 dropdown menu – titled “Title I Summer Reallocation Grant”.
- As with any application on Grants4ME, be sure to click “Draft Started” to begin completing the application.
- Within the needs, goals, and outcome section of the application, please describe how the summer learning and enrichment programming will prevent, prepare for and/or respond to COVID-19.
- In addition, please ensure that the SAUs business manager and superintendent have enough time to review and approve the application in order to meet the deadline.
The application deadline is May 19, 2023, at 5 PM EST. If you have any questions about the ARP ESSER Summer Learning and Enrichment Programming grant opportunity, please reach out to mary.herman@maine.gov or renee.a.reilly@maine.gov.
View the list of SAUs already awarded funded here.
Regional School Calendars Due June 1, 2023
This notification is a reminder that Regional School Calendars are due by June 1, 2023, for school administrative units (SAU) and private schools, approved for tuition purposes, in coordination with their local secondary career and technical education (CTE) school. This requirement is part of Public Law 2011, Chapter 686 to promote collaboration among local school administrative units that may benefit from inter-administrative unit collaboration beyond CTE.
For the school year 2023-24, both regional school calendars and individual calendars for each school administrative unit must be submitted by the director of the local CTE Center/Region to the Department of Education (DOE) no later than June 1, 2023, for a decision on approval by July 12, 2023. Guidance and templates can be accessed electronically at www.maine.gov/doe/regionalcalendar/.
Given the coordination required for the fulfillment of this law, the Maine DOE recommends that SAUs initiate discussions as soon as possible, including representatives from all affected secondary schools and their associated career and technical education center or region.
For more information, including guidance, instructions, templates, a waiver process, and a link to the complete law, please visit www.maine.gov/doe/regionalcalendar/. Further questions should be directed to Emily Doughty emily.doughty@maine.gov at 207-592-0314 or Dwight Littlefield dwight.a.littlefield@maine.gov at 207- 441-8927.
First 10 Community Schools Request for Applications (RFA)
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is accepting applications from school administrative units (SAUs) and Education in the Unorganized Territory (EUT) to be part of a 3-year First 10 Community School pilot project funded through Maine’s Preschool Development Grant. Developed by Education Development Center, First 10 Community Schools bring together school systems, early childhood programs, and community partners/agencies to improve care and education for young children and their families throughout the first 10 years of children’s lives. This model works to improve teaching and learning, deepen partnerships with families, and provide comprehensive services for children and families.
Through this opportunity, pilot sites will be supported in developing and implementing First 10 Community School models. To learn more about the model and the pilot opportunity, interested applicants are encouraged to view this recorded First 10 Community School information session. Additional information about First 10 Community Schools can be found on the Maine Department of Education’s First 10 webpage and on Education Development Center’s First 10 webpage.
Eligible schools that are interested in the First 10 Community School grant opportunity may access the application through the First 10 Community School Request for Applications (RFA).
A timeline for the RFA process is provided below.
- May 1, 2023–RFA released
- May 8, 2023—RFA question submission deadline
- May 19, 2023—RFA submission deadline
All questions about the First 10 Community School RFA should be submitted to the First 10 Community School Grant Coordinator identified on the Grant RFPs and RFAs webpage.
Additional questions regarding this announcement should be directed to:
Lee Anne Larsen, Director of Early Learning, leeann.larsen@maine.gov.
Maine DOE Newsroom 