Category: News & Views

Seeking Applicants for Educator Summit Coordinator Position

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking an energetic, motivated, and experienced individual to serve in the role as the Educator Summit Coordinator. The selected candidate will provide initiative, guidance, and leadership in handling the necessary responsibilities as outlined below in preparation for hosting the 2nd annual Maine Educator Summit. This position will be responsible for overseeing the development of a project timeline; maintaining a Summit budget; managing the event logistics; securing, negotiating, and executing the contract agreements associated with the Summit; and coordinating with the Maine DOE leadership (Commissioner’s office team, office directors, and the communication’s director) and logistics teams throughout the planning and implementation of the event.

This is a contracted professional service position that manages all aspects of the planning and implementation of the 2nd annual Maine Educator Summit.

REPRESENTATIVE TASKS:

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES of the Educator Summit Coordinator

Develop a timeline for Summit preparation, implementation, and evaluation.

  • Serve as DOE point of contact for all event logistics.
  • Include start and completion dates for each task leading up to and during the Summit.
  • Identify and provide clear description of duties for members of the logistics team and sub committees.
  • Facilitate two planning team meetings per month with Maine DOE leadership
      • Create agendas with timelines and action steps
      • Maintain a record of updates and progress made on the action steps
  • Provide weekly written program and fiscal updates to the Chief of Federal Programs and Associate Commissioners.
  • Secure keynote speakers and session facilitators that matches the needs expressed by the field with sessions as closely as possible.
  • Elicit the help of DOE employees for the days of the Summit and clearly define the duties thereof.
  • Continuously evaluate progress and propose necessary changes in timeline as warranted.

Facilitate ongoing communication and collaboration with the logistics team and subcommittees.

  • Provide regular updates to the DOE leadership team utilizing clear communication to establish guidelines, direction, and needed support.

Maintain a Summit budget:

  • Propose a detailed Summit budget by February 1, 2023.
  • Document all expenses, encumbrances, and incomes.
  • Maintain a drawdown document on the grant award.
  • Approve all proposed expenses for items assigned to other team members.
  • Coordinate with the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS) to establish the reimbursement process for all attendees regarding travel/food/lodging.

Secure and execute all Summit-related contracts, including but not limited to the following:

  • Venue
  • Caterer
  • Audio-Visual
  • Keynote Speaker(s)
  • Staging
  • Movers (as needed)

Collaborate with Maine DOE teams, including the Communications Team members to:

  • Ensure the Maine DOE website for Summit is current, attractive, and functional.
  • Develop and implement a presenter application,
  • Review and accept criteria rubric for submission, and the review and approval process.
  • Collaborate with the Chief of Federal Programs, Director of Communications and Associate Commissioners to finalize all sessions titles and descriptions by April 1, 2023.
  • In collaboration with the planning team, develop the matrices of the sessions, including locations, for all four days of the Summit.
  • Utilize the functionality of a registration and event application.
    • Obtain three estimates for the purchase of an event application to be used
  • Develop a marketing and promotional timeline for the Summit.
  • Promote the Summit using a variety of platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MDOE Updates and news releases, and local papers (as deemed necessary).
  • Promote the Summit in all bi-weekly stand-up meetings of the DOE.

Liaise with venue to:

  • Outline configuration set ups and determine other needs for all rooms.
  • Determine and secure all catering needs including meals, snacks, and refreshments, honoring a variety of nutritional and preference requests of participants.
  • Be on-site the week before, during, and after the conference to handle all last-minute details, as needed (i.e., Deliveries, room set-ups/clean up, signage set up/clean up, AV set up, etc.).

Post Summit preparation:

  • Develop and finalize a post-Summit survey in coordination with the leadership team by July 1, 2023.
  • Implement and provide an analysis of a post-Summit survey for attendees and presenters by August 18, 2023.
  • Provide the analyzed feedback from surveys to DOE leadership by September 1, 2023.
  • Ensure that invoicing for expense reimbursement is allowable and timely.

Other duties as the position may require for successful completion of the Summit.

Submit weekly timecard to the Chief of Federal Programs for processing and payment, with a detailed accounting of the work performed during the previous week.

Minimum Qualifications:  To qualify, candidates must have excellent collaboration, organizational and communications skills, as well as strong budgetary oversight capabilities.

APPLICATION:  Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three current professional references with contact information to Cheryl Lang, ESEA Federal Programs Director, at cheryl.lang@maine.gov. Write “Application Materials for Educator Summit Coordinator” in the Subject line. Submissions will be accepted until 4 PM on Friday, December 2, 2022.

Reminder: Free Virtual On-Demand Financial Education Training for Maine Educators Now Available!

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) and the Center for Financial Literacy at Champlain College, in partnership with the Maine Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy and its sponsors, the Office of the Maine State Treasurer, and Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF), is offering free online and on-demand training for Maine teachers.

The Financial Educator Virtual Academy will train Maine educators on how to successfully teach personal finance in their classrooms and communities. Educators will receive contact hours for each course module attended, and the first 100 Maine classroom teachers to complete all seven hours of training will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.

The online course offering is available starting October 12, 2022 and will close on December 16, 2022. The goal of this training is to support educators as they work to ensure that all Maine students have access to high-quality personal financial education. Maine educators can earn up to seven hours of professional development training and receive suggestions for grade-appropriate personal finance classroom resources over the duration of the virtual academy.

During the virtual academy, which features nationally known experts, participants will learn how to implement the JumpStart National Standards in K-12 Financial Personal Finance Education. These standards allow for the teaching of personal finance in an interdisciplinary or stand-alone manner.

Interested educators may register for the program with this link.

Download a flyer for distribution 

For further questions contact Maine Jumpstart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy at info@mejumpstart.org

WEBINARS: Using Computer Science MOOSE Modules #CSEdWeek #MaineTeachesCS

Are you wondering how to integrate computer science into your classroom? Join Maine teachers and the DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction & MOOSE Teams to learn about using the Computer Science MOOSE modules.  The MOOSE modules are interdisciplinary, project-based modules designed by Maine teachers that introduce students to computational thinking, programming, and data science.

Elementary Webinar

Middle/High School Webinar:

For more information contact Jaime Beal Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist at jaime.beal@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Staff Jean Zimmerman and Susan Berry Honored by Maine AHPERD

The Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (Maine AHPERD) recognized Maine Department of Education (DOE) Health Education and Health Promotion Specialist Susan Berry and Maine DOE Health Education & Physical Education Consultant Jean Zimmerman for their outstanding contributions to Health Education and Physical Education in Maine. The recognition was received at the annual Maine AHPERD conference at the Samoset Resort earlier this month.

“It was the first time the organization held an in-person banquet since 2019,” said Maine DOE Director of School and Student Supports Julie Smyth, who works directly with Berry and Zimmerman. “Both Susan and Jean were unaware that the other was receiving recognition, so it was quite a special evening,” she added.

Jean Zimmerman
Jean Zimmerman

Jean Zimmerman received the Worthy of Praise Award for her leadership, involvement and service in the State of Maine to the professions of Health Education and Physical Education. Jean is the Maine DOE lead for the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey.  Jean has helped develop State documents including the 2007 and the 2022 Maine Learning Results for Health Education and Physical Education and the key concepts for Health Education and has served on the Maine AHPERD board for many years.

“Karyn Bussell, Skowhegan educator and member of the MAHPERD Awards Committee shared Jean’s long list of contributions to the field of Health and Physical Education – from her days of being the first female staff person for the St. Joseph’s College Department of Athletics to her time at the Maine DOE in her many roles supporting the field,” said Smyth of the event. “Jean received a standing ovation from the crowd of 100+.” Congratulations, Jean!

Susan Berry
Susan Berry

Susan Berry received the 2022 Distinguished Leadership Award. Susan is currently the Health Education and Health Promotion Specialist at Maine DOE. This award recognizes Susan’s lifelong commitment to Health Education in the State of Maine. Susan is involved with the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education, and she has been on the Maine AHPERD Board and served as President. Susan is a beacon of excellence, high intention, and sincere effort. The breadth and depth of Susan’s skills and passion for her work have had a huge impact on Health Educators in Maine.

As stated in the announcement my Maine AHPERD representatives, “In recognition for profoundly affecting the way the MAHPERD organization accomplishes its day to day business.  As a result of your leadership and dedication, MAHPERD has become a strong and united organization.  Your tireless efforts have strengthened our professional organization and have encouraged others to take leadership roles, prompting professionalism through work.”

Smyth reported that Berry’s entire family was in attendance to help celebrate this honor. Congratulations, Susan!

Important Survey About Outdoor and Environmental Learning At Your School!  

The 2022 Census of Community-Based Outdoor and Environmental Learning in Maine is now open for responses from teachers, principals, early childhood educators, and out-of-school educators. We hope you will take some time to participate and represent your school! Please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2022CBEL to take this 20-minute survey and share your incredibly important perspective on this work.  We will be raffling off a grand prize $1000 gift card to L.L. Bean for anyone who has submitted a complete response, and weekly $250 gift cards to the Outdoor Learning Store in November. 

Results from our 2019 survey had direct positive impacts for outdoor and environmental learning in Maine and were used to: 

  • Increase funding from both state and private foundations for school programs 
  • Inform professional development opportunities for educators 
  • Justify legislative priorities, including the recently passed Climate Education bill  

The more responses we get to our 2022 survey, the better we will be able to understand and support you in your outdoor and environmental learning work in Maine so please share the survey with your colleagues. We’re looking for information to find out the status of all of these amazing projects and work in Maine, especially after the significant investment of funds by the Department of Education and others.

To take this 20 minute survey please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2022CBEL. Even if your school is not doing this type of work, please take the survey and tell us why. The survey will close on November 30th so please get your responses in soon!  

The Census is being sponsored by Teach ME Outside, a partnership of the Maine Math and Science Alliance, Maine Environmental Education Association, and the Nature Based Education Consortium. For more information about the Census and Teach ME Outside, please visit teachmeoutside.org  

 

Students From Across Maine Come Together for In-Person 2022/2023 Student Cabinet Meeting

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) convened its first meeting of the 2022/2023 Student Cabinet in mid-October. It is the first time the Department has been able to host an in-person Student Cabinet meeting since 2019.

In its 4th year, the Student Cabinet program has allowed the Maine DOE to integrate student voice into decision-making on education issues that impact their journey through Maine’s education system. In past years, students have helped in identifying mental health needs at school, raised issues of racial equity, and helped brainstorm ways to individualize learning.

Representing all 16 counites of Maine, both newly appointed students and students serving their 2nd year on the Cabinet spent the day meeting with representatives from the Maine DOE including Commissioner Makin to talk about education issues important to them and their peers. They also toured the Capitol Complex with Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and learned about local education systems from a state-wide perspective with Maine School Management Association (MSMA) Executive Director Steve Bailey. The students closed out the day participating in group activities to brainstorm ideas around project-based learning and instruction.

Student Cabinet talking with Commissioner Makin
2022/2023 Student Cabinet and members of the Maine DOE
students touring the capitol complex
students taking photos with Secretary Bellows
students touring the capitol complex

In between and during activates, the day was an excellent opportunity for students to get to know one another, talk about Maine’s education system, and share their ideas for improvement.

To learn more about the Maine DOE Student Cabinet visit the Maine Department of Education’s Website.

Resources to Support Schools Following Today’s Active Shooter Threats

School leaders, educators, and public safety officials worked heroically today to keep students, staff, and schools safe, provide clear communication to families, and follow emergency preparedness plans in response to the active shooter threats that occurred at multiple schools across Maine.

Today’s school threats caused fear and uncertainty across our state, and we know that many students, staff, and school communities may need additional supports to help process the experience. Reassuring students, staff, and families that school is a safe and supportive environment is an important step after any event like this.

The Maine Department of Education continues to offer support and resources to promote the safety and wellbeing of students, families, and educators and we urge you to reach out to us for assistance.

  • The Office of School and Student Supports (O3S) understands that as parents, educators, students, and concerned community members, the intensity of emotions related to these incidences can become obstacles in engaging in everyday activities. O3S offers resources and trainings to bolster connectedness and safety. You can contact DOESchoolandStudentSupports@maine.gov for assistance.

Resources for Parents:

Resources For Educators:

  • The Positive Behavioral Intervention System (PBIS) Team has a collection of resources for supporting schools during and after crisis, coping tips for traumatic events, and materials to support educators and parents in supporting students after an incident of violence and talking to children about violence. You can find those resources here.
  • The Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) can support schools with their emergency planning needs to address preplanning, response, and recovery. The MSSC is available to assist with behavioral threat assessment and mental health trainings. You can learn more about MSSC’s services and contact staff here.

We are grateful to all of you for your efforts today, and every day, to make all Maine schools the safe and supportive environments our students need to thrive.

Collection of Resources for Supporting Maine Schools During and After Crisis

The Maine PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention System) Team acknowledges the difficulties that may arise for schools, families, and communities in response to the threats of violence in Maine schools today. We recognize that individuals will respond to these events differently, and some may require additional supports to process the experience. Reassuring students, staff and families that school is a safe, predictable, positive, and supportive environment is an important first step. Below are several recommended resources that may be consulted to support administrators, teachers, and families as they work to return to normalcy and re-instill a sense of security for themselves and their students in the coming days.

Comprehensive Resources

This comprehensive guide provides guidance to state, district, school, and classroom leaders on how to recover and return to school following a crisis. Specific guidance on practices that can be used immediately can be found within the guide targeted to specific levels.

Supporting Schools During and After Crisis

  • Critical Practices Overview p. 9
  • Critical Practices for Districts p. 26
  • Critical Practices for Schools p. 29
  • Critical Practices in the Classroom p. 36

This page provides links to a variety of resources for schools and families to use when supporting students after incidents of community violence.

Resources for educators supporting students after an incident of violence

Quick References

This guide helps parents and teachers to discuss violence and threats of violence with students, and to help re-establish a sense of safety.

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers

This resource provides concrete strategies for coping with increased stress after difficult situations.

Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters

This resource offers suggestions for family members when talking with youth after a crisis or unexpected events. It provides predictable youth reactions, how to support, and examples of things to do and say.

Parent Tips for Helping School-age Children

If you need additional support for your school or district, please contact pbis@maine.edu.

 

Nominations and Applications Open for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is currently accepting nominations and applications for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). PAEMST is the highest recognition that a Kindergarten through 12th grade science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science educator may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Since 1983, more than 5,100 teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education. Up to 108 awardees may be recognized each year.  Maine is proud to have honored over 80 exceptional educators for their contributions! 

Marshalyn Baker, Secondary Mathematics Awardee (1994) shared the value of accepting the nomination and the impact on her life, “Receiving this award took me on a professional and personal journey of a lifetime. I took on leadership roles with ATOMIM and NCTM Affiliate Services and the Board of Directors, met and worked with NASA scientists, and leveraged classroom resources and knowledge to better teach my students. I traveled extensively to speak at conferences and share and collaborate with a fabulous professional community. I felt valued and honored to be a mathematics educator from a rural state.” 

This current cycle will recognize educators teaching grades 7-12.  Anyone—principals, teachers, parents, students, colleagues, Higher Education partners, association members, or members of the general public—may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form. To submit a nomination, you’ll need the teacher’s name, email address, and school contact information. Teachers may also initiate the application process themselves at www.paemst.org. 

2022-2023 One-Page Outreach Flyer

2022-2023 One-Page Outreach Flyer (Spanish)

Eligibility 

Applicants must: 

  • Teach science, technology, engineering, or mathematics as part of their contracted teaching responsibilities at the 7-12 grade level in a public (including charter) or private school; 
  • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; 
  • Be a full-time employee of their school or school district as determined by state and district policies, with responsibilities for teaching students no less than 50% of the school’s allotted instructional time; 
  • Have at least five years of full-time employment as a K-12 teacher prior to the 2022-2023 academic school year, with science, technology, engineering, or mathematics teaching duties during each of the past five years; 
  • Teach in one of the 50 states, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, or the U.S. Jurisdictions of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or as a group American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; 
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and 
  • Not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category. 

Why apply/nominate? 

Please consider nominating outstanding STEM teachers today! By nominating a teacher, you play an important role in elevating Maine’s education workforce.    

Recipients of this prestigious Presidential award receive the following: 

  • A certificate signed by the President of the United States. 
  • A paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities. 
  • A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. An
  • opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation. 

Important Dates 

For secondary 7-12, the nomination deadline is January 9, 2023, and the application deadline is February 6, 2023.  Secondary 7-12 educators will be eligible to apply during the current cycle.  Nominations are encouraged early so that educators have ample time to submit applications!  

Questions? Contact: 

Emily Doughty, PAEMST Coordinator, Emily.doughty@maine.gov  

To learn more about the ways in which Maine is striving to attract, support, and sustain a strong educator workforce please visit the Teach Maine plan’s webpage: https://www.maine.gov/doe/exploreeducation/teachmaine.   

Get to Know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Matt Leavitt

Maine DOE staff member Matt Leavitt is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to Know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Matt in the question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I am the Website & Technology Coordinator for the Department. I oversee, assist, and coordinate content and technical assistance for staff necessary to provide accurate, accessible, useful, and well-designed portals of information for constituents around the state. I assist with other technology and communications needs as necessary.

What do you like best about your job?

Our website is not only a resource, but a reflection of the exciting mission-based work that we are all working on. I love being a part of the process of making information accessible, interesting, and fun!

How or why did you decide on this career?

I have always been interested in technology and computers. I was making my first websites on Geocities in the late 90s which led to my higher education experience in new media. Paired with my passion for education, the opportunity to move forward the vision we have for students, educators, and school systems in Maine through my skills with technology is exciting!

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

Escape Rooms, live music, and video games are my primary hobbies. Our family has done close to 400 escape rooms (Our 9yo has done over 100!), concerts are where I feel most connected to myself, and video games help me relax and unwind.