Nominations Open for 2026 Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is joining Volunteer Maine in encouraging schools across the state to submit nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism, which recognize outstanding individuals, teams, and organizations that are making a meaningful impact through volunteer service. Nominations are open now through March 9, 2026.

Since 1987, the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism have celebrated and recognized the role of citizen volunteers in the success and vitality of Maine communities. School leaders are encouraged to help identify and recognize students, educators, staff members, families, volunteers, and community partners who step up to serve when and where they are needed. Sharing this opportunity within your school community can help to ensure that Maine’s dedicated volunteers receive the recognition they deserve.

Several award categories are available, including opportunities specifically well-suited for school communities:

Youth Roll of Honor (non-competitive)

Nominees must be 18 years old or younger.
Nominees must have volunteered at least 50 hours in the prior year.

Submit a nomination for the Youth Roll of Honor category here.

Adult Roll of Honor (non-competitive)

Nominees must be 19 years old or older.
Nominees must have volunteered at least 500 hours in the prior year.

Submit a nomination for the Adult Roll of Honor category here.

Individual and Group Categories (Competitive)

Maine Volunteer of the Year: Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving lives and communities through volunteer service in Maine.
Young Maine Volunteer of the Year: Recognizes a volunteer under the age of 20 who exemplifies active citizenship and community leadership.
Outstanding Volunteer Team: Recognizes a team of volunteers that has made a significant community impact. (Please note: Fundraising activities are not eligible.)

Submit a nomination for the Individual and Group Categories here.

Organization Categories (Competitive)

Outstanding Business Volunteer Program: Recognizes employers that foster strong workplace volunteer programs and cultures of service. (Please note: Fundraising activities and donations are not eligible.)
Outstanding Non-Profit Volunteer Program: Recognizes volunteer programs operated by non-profits, schools, municipalities, or government units that have driven meaningful community improvements.

Submit a nomination for the Organization Categories here.

The Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism provide an opportunity to shine a light on the individuals and groups who strengthen communities across Maine. School leaders are encouraged to submit nominations and share this opportunity widely to help ensure that deserving volunteers are recognized.

The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Camp Chamberlain, Maine National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, located at 23 Blue Star Avenue in Augusta.

For more information, visit VolunteerMaine.gov.

Later Secondary School Start Time Planning Grant; Now Live in Vendor Self-Service (VSS)

Pursuant to S.P. 182, L.D. 396, Resolve 2025, Chapter 110, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is now accepting applications for a competitive, one-time funding opportunity for Maine school administrative units (SAUs) that are interested in collaborating to change school start times so that secondary schools begin at 8:30 a.m. or later.

SAUs may access the Request for Applications (RFA) through the State of Maine’s Vendor Self-Service System (VSS). All applications and questions related to this RFA must be submitted through VSS. The Maine DOE strongly encourages SAUs to confirm that they can access VSS well in advance of the application deadline of March 30, 2026. (Please refer to this priority notice for additional information and training materials related to VSS.)

To learn more about this grant opportunity, potential applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual informational session on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 4 p.m. via Zoom. Registration is required to attend this session. Please register in advance here.

The anticipated timeline for this RFA is as follows:

February 27, 2026 – RFA opens via VSS
March 4, 2026 – informational session held via Zoom
March 9, 2026 – deadline to submit questions in response to RFA (by 4 p.m.)
March 30, 2026 – applications due via VSS (by 4 p.m.)
March 31 to April 17, 2026 – formal review period
April 27, 2026 – grant award notifications
June 1, 2026 – grant award contract start date
September 10, 2026 – grant award contract end date
November 1, 2026 – reporting requirements due (by 4 p.m.)

Additional information about this grant can be found via VSS. Again, please submit all questions about this RFA through the VSS portal.

Maine DOE Update – February 6, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Maine DOE Encourages Mainers to Participate in 2026 Read to ME Challenge

Maine Launches Statewide Career Exploration Survey to Strengthen Resources and Opportunities for Students

Throughout Maine, schools and school administrative units (SAUs) are finding new and creative ways to help students explore careers, connect learning to real-world experiences, and prepare for life beyond the classroom. To better understand and strengthen these efforts, educators and education leaders are invited to participate in a brief Career Exploration Survey. | More

Energy Savings Funding Opportunities and Resources for Maine Schools

Student Opportunity: Applications Now Open for Free, Immersive Keller BLOOM Ocean Sciences Program

Do you know a Maine high school junior who’s passionate about science and curious about the ocean? Applications are now open for a no-cost, immersive ocean research experience through the Keller BLOOM Program, offered by the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

PBIS in Action: How RSU 22 Is Building Positive School Culture District-Wide

Regional School Unit (RSU) 22 (Hampden, Newburgh, Winterport, and Frankfort) is making significant strides in creating a positive, student-centered culture, thanks to the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Professional Learning Series – ‘Beyond Compliance: Integrated Supports for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities’

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is offering a new, six-part professional learning series titled, “Beyond Compliance: Integrated Supports for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities,” to be facilitated by Maine DOE Teacher Leader Fellow Melissa Frans. | More

2026 For ME Instructional Programs Overview and Summer Training Opportunities; Informational Overview Rescheduled for February 9

Since 2018, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has adapted and piloted the For ME Instructional Programs for early elementary grades (pre-K to grade 2), based on the Boston Public Schools’ evidence-based Focus Curricula. These open-source, developmentally appropriate instructional programs are interdisciplinary and align with Maine’s learning standards. | More

Register for the Second Annual Maine Inclusive Education Conference on April 8

Registration is now open for the second annual Maine Inclusive Education Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Augusta Civic Center. | More

View the Maine Department of Education’s Events Calendar here.

Career/Project Opportunities:

Find education-related jobs in Maine.

Maine Launches Statewide Career Exploration Survey to Strengthen Resources and Opportunities for Students

The Career Exploration Survey is designed to identify which SAUs and Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools are currently engaged in career exploration activities—and to gather insights into what is working, what is needed, and where additional support could make the biggest impact. Responses will help to inform statewide efforts related to resources, professional development, and technical assistance for pre-K–12 students and school staff.

Here is the link to participate in the Career Exploration Survey. The deadline to respond is March 6, 2026.

Throughout the survey, participants will see the term “Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs)”. ELOs refer to learning experiences that take place outside of the traditional classroom, with a strong emphasis on community-based career exploration. These experiences may be credit-bearing and serve as an umbrella for many types of career exploration activities and work-based learning experiences. Participation in the survey is especially encouraged for those coordinating ELO programs, transition programs, alternative education programs, and other programs impacting career exploration in Maine.

By sharing your perspective, you will be contributing to a clearer picture of career exploration in Maine and helping to shape future support that responds directly to the needs of schools, educators, and students. Whether your SAU is deeply engaged in this work or just beginning to explore possibilities, your voice matters.

With questions, please contact Maine DOE Extended Learning Opportunities Coordinator Lana Sawyer at lana.sawyer@maine.gov /or Maine DOE Social Emotional Learning Specialist Aubrie Howard at aubrie.howard@maine.gov.

Professional Learning Series – ‘Beyond Compliance: Integrated Supports for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities’

When students are both multilingual learners and students with disabilities, the supports they receive sometimes operate in parallel rather than in partnership. In Maine during the 2024-2025 school year, 17 percent of identified multilingual learners were also identified as requiring special education services. This data underscores the importance of coordinated, interdisciplinary approaches that address language development and disability-related needs together rather than separately.

This new professional learning series will promote a collaborative, integrated approach and support educators in designing cohesive systems that build on student strengths while aligning ,supports across language development and disability services. Participants will move beyond compliance-driven practices toward meaningful, coordinated action that addresses the full range of student strengths and needs.

Through active, collaborative learning, teams will:

Build unified support systems.
Integrate asset-based instructional models.
Co-create and apply practical resources.
Exchange feedback and strategies.
Engage in professional dialogue grounded in real-world practice.

Audience
Interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged to attend together. This opportunity is relevant for:

Classroom teachers.
Special educators.
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) specialists.
Instructional coaches.
Interventionists.
Special education and multilingual directors/coordinators.
School and school administrative unit (SAU) administrators.

Schedule
Virtual sessions (via Zoom) will be held on the following Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m.:

March 4 and 18, 2026
April 1 and 15, 2026
May 6 and 20, 2026

Participants may earn 12 total contact hours, including nine hours of live participation and three hours of supplemental work. Registration is required; please register here.

This series reflects the Maine DOE’s ongoing commitment to helping schools implement cohesive, student-centered systems that integrate language development and disability-related supports. Offered through the Teacher Leader Fellows program within the Office of Teaching and Learning, it is part of the Maine DOE’s broader effort to strengthen instructional leadership statewide.

The Maine DOE Multilingual Learner Dashboard offers educators and leaders an interactive view of key data to inform decisions and strengthen support for multilingual learners statewide.

For more information or with questions, please contact Jane Armstrong, Maine DOE ESOL State Specialist, at Jane.Armstrong@maine.gov.

Student Opportunity: Applications Now Open for Free, Immersive Keller BLOOM Ocean Sciences Program

The Keller BLOOM Program runs May 17-22, 2026, and gives selected students the chance to spend a week living and learning on Bigelow’s East Boothbay campus, working alongside professional scientists using advanced equipment and real research techniques.

Founded by Bigelow scientist Maureen Keller, the Keller BLOOM Program is designed to introduce students to hands-on ocean science, from field sampling and data collection to laboratory investigation and analysis. Participants explore the biological, chemical, and geological characteristics of Maine’s marine environment and learn firsthand what a career in ocean science can look like.

Current Maine high school juniors — including those who are homeschooled — are encouraged to apply. No previous research experience is required, and there is no cost to participate; Bigelow provides chaperoned room and board for the week.

Sixteen students from across the state will be selected, with representation from Maine’s various counties being a priority. During the program, students may participate in field activities, laboratory investigations, and discussions with scientists about careers, ethics, and real-world ocean research.

Applications are due April 10, 2026. For more details and to submit an application, visit the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences Keller BLOOM Program application or contact Dr. Nicole Poulton at npoulton@bigelow.org or 207-315-2567 x513.

PBIS in Action: How RSU 22 Is Building Positive School Culture District-Wide

(Pictured: A student getting a book from the book vending machine, part of RSU 22’s PBIS reward system.)

RSU 22’s PBIS journey began in the 2021-2022 school year following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent year of hybrid learning. Seeking consistency in student behavior support systems, district leaders joined a statewide PBIS training cohort. What began as a post-pandemic response has since evolved into a coordinated, district-wide effort; now, RSU 22 is consistently recognized statewide for its pre-K-grade 12 PBIS framework. In 2025, the district earned the silver District of Distinction recognition from the Northeast PBIS Network, highlighting its commitment to safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments.

RSU 22’s PBIS implementation varies across its six schools, with four schools actively implementing Tier 1—or universal—support practices and the other two schools engaged in advanced tiers work. The district continues to support schools at different stages of readiness, while maintaining district-level coordination and data collection.

At the core of this work is a belief that students do best when common expectations are clear, explicitly taught, and positively reinforced. Each school takes the time to explain what these expectations look like and practice them with students. When students show that they understand and follow expectations, adults notice and acknowledge their efforts with specific praise and, in some cases, small rewards, such as a ticket or token that the student can use for a book vending machine or a schoolwide raffle. Being recognized for doing something well helps students to feel proud of their efforts and encourages them to continue making positive choices. Each school designs its recognition approach in ways that are developmentally appropriate and meaningful for students.

Data has driven much of RSU 22’s progress; each school distributes a PBIS School Climate Survey twice a year to students (grades 3 and up), staff, and families. This data highlights trends, celebrates strengths, and informs needed improvements. In the fall of 2025, families across the district continued to praise a strong commitment to safety, with four of six schools identifying student safety traveling to and from school as a top strength. Families also highlighted the clean and organized learning environments that teachers in the district maintain. Across all groups—students, staff, and families—this data revealed a consistent opportunity to strengthen student recognition practices, which the district is actively addressing.

Students getting books from the book vending machine, part of the PBIS reward system.

A student getting a book from the book vending machine, part of the PBIS reward system.

Students and staff gathered for a PBIS school share assembly

A student at one of the district's attendance events.

RSU 22 not only shares survey results with families but acts on them, building trust and transparency. In a fall 2025 letter to families, Director of Curriculum Jennifer Nickerson shared: “[The] feedback directly influences our improvement efforts and helps shape the future of our schools.” She also added: “The [PBIS] framework works, but it takes consistency, measurement, and a shared belief that all students can succeed when they feel supported.”

PBIS is a nationally recognized, evidence-based framework designed to create positive school climates by teaching and reinforcing clear behavioral expectations. It helps schools to improve student behavior, promote academic success, and build supportive environments where all students feel safe, respected, and empowered to thrive. To learn more about PBIS in Maine, visit the Maine DOE website.

This article was developed in collaboration with RSU 22 and the Maine PBIS program, a partnership between the Maine DOE Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education and the University of Maine System. This article is part of a series highlighting the successes of Maine schools that are in the process of implementing, or that have implemented, PBIS in their schools. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

Energy Savings Funding Opportunities and Resources for Maine Schools

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to share information about new funding opportunities and resources for Maine schools, as it pertains to energy savings. The following three items are intended to help school administrative units (SAUs) maximize their energy efficiency, save money, and reduce air pollution.

Free Energy Audit and Indoor Air Quality Testing Program

In partnership with Building Infrastructure Management Solutions (BIMS), the Maine DOE Green Schools Program is excited to offer SAUs an opportunity to assess and improve performance of their buildings with free school facility energy analysis, as well as indoor air quality consultation and technical assistance.

Through this program, BIMS will serve as a technical partner to participating SAUs, sharing information about and assisting with planning for improvements to energy efficiency. This includes measuring and identifying strategies to improve air quality to enhance school facility resilience and reduce long-term operational costs.

Through this program, SAUs can receive the following at no cost:

A comprehensive energy and indoor air quality audit of school facilities
An assessment of energy use, HVAC systems, and other major energy-consuming infrastructure
A customized, actionable guide outlining recommended improvements based on audit findings
Guidance on funding mechanisms, including applicable state and federal grants and incentive programs
Support navigating procurement considerations for clean energy and efficiency upgrades

SAUs that are interested in this program are encouraged to complete this interest form or contact Donald Bresnahan, Senior Vice President of BIMS, at don@bims.company or 207-956-2685. Selected SAUs will participate in follow-up discussions to confirm their eligibility and scope of need.

LED Lighting Retrofit Funding Opportunity Notice

Through a Funding Opportunity Notice (FON), Efficiency Maine is seeking applications for energy efficiency projects involving lighting retrofits in Maine public pre-K-12 schools. With the intent of accelerating the conversion to LED lighting in schools and beyond, this initiative offers incentives that are 30 percent higher than those typically provided under the Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Initiatives.

Efficiency Maine is accepting applications for this FON until June 30, 2026, or until funding has been exhausted. Projects must be completed by August 31, 2026.

More information about this initiative and instructions on how to apply are available here. To participate in this FON and other Efficiency Maine opportunities, engagement with a Qualified Partner is necessary for assistance and support purposes; SAUs can find more information here.

This initiative includes Indian Education and Education in the Unorganized Territory schools. Any interested schools should contact the Efficiency Maine team at CIP@efficiencymaine.com or 207-213-6247.

Summary of Federal Energy Tax Credits and Resources

The school-centered nonprofit UndauntedK12 provides regular updates on available federal energy tax credits and resources. Its Energy Tax Credits for Schools Hub includes detailed descriptions of potential energy systems supports for schools, as well as direct links to the federal energy tax credits currently available to schools. Its Updates to Energy Tax Credits webpage contains additional resources, including videos, a slideshow, and a table outlining changes to federal energy tax credits.

The UndauntedK12 website will be updated once the U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued new guidance on restrictions for solar and energy storage projects; however, the links for these webpages will remain the same.

With general questions about any of these opportunities/resources, please contact Glenn Cummings, Maine DOE Director of Green Schools, at glenn.cummings@maine.gov.

MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE Encourages Mainers to Participate in 2026 Read to ME Challenge

Reading to a child for 15 minutes per day for five years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure, which can lead to high literacy development.

The 2026 Read to ME Challenge, a month-long public awareness campaign designed to support literacy development among Maine children, is officially underway. Maine Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Pender Makin launched the challenge on Monday, February 2, 2026, with a read-aloud to second- and third-grade students at the Tremont Consolidated School library in Bass Harbor.

2026 marks the 11th annual Read to ME Challenge. Throughout the month of February, Mainers are encouraged to read to and/or with children for at least 15 minutes. Adults may capture these moments with photos/short videos and share them on social media using the hashtag #ReadtoME in an effort to encourage others to do the same. The Maine DOE would like to challenge all Mainers—regardless of age, location, or language—to consider participating in this year’s challenge.

“The Read to ME Challenge has been a favorite initiative of the Maine Department of Education for more than a decade,” Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin said. “We invite all Mainers, from youth to adults, to join us in the challenge this month, as we continue to promote the joy of reading among our youngest generation.”

Reading to a child for 15 minutes per day for five years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure, which can lead to high literacy development. Research indicates that the simple act of reading aloud helps children to build language, acquire vocabulary, develop knowledge about the world, and create bonds with trusted adults.

For the Read to ME Challenge launch, Commissioner Makin read Courage Like Kate: The True Story of a Girl Lighthouse Keeper by Maine-based author Anna Crowley-Redding. Students in attendance remarked on their own experiences with lighthouses living in a coastal community.

“We were honored to host the kick-off for the Read to ME Challenge this year,” Tremont Consolidated School Principal Jandrea True said. “Any opportunity to promote literacy is worth all of the energy we can collectively muster in our communities, as proficiency in literacy is essential to a successful future. Challenge accepted at Tremont Consolidated School!”

In support of the Maine State Reading Action Plan, the Maine DOE also strongly encourages community organizations to collaborate with schools and families during the Read to ME Challenge. A list of suggested ideas for community involvement is included here.

The 2026 Read to ME Challenge will end following Read Across America Day on March 2, 2026.

Maine DOE Update – January 30, 2026

From the Maine Department of Education

News & Updates

Maine DOE Seeks Organizations to Participate in Summer 2026 SUN Meals Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking organizations to help feed children this summer through the federally funded SUN Meals program—also known as the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Eligible organizations may apply to become a SUN Meals sponsor, providing healthy, free meals to children throughout the summer months when school is not in session. | More

2026 Maine School Counselor of the Year to Be Announced During National School Counseling Week (February 2-6, 2026)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to join the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the Maine School Counselor Association (MESCA) in celebrating National School Counseling Week from February 2-6, 2026. This year’s theme, “School Counselors Amplify Student Success,” focuses on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and highlights how students benefit from the services that school counselors provide. National School Counseling Week demonstrates the tremendous impact that school counselors have in helping students to achieve school success and plan for their careers. | More

Community Schools RFA Informational Session Recording Now Available

Pursuant to Title 20-A, §15689-A, the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education (DOE) may provide funding to school administrative units (SAUs) to support the establishment of community schools. As such, the Maine DOE is currently accepting applications for funding from SAUs whose school boards have designated an existing school or established a new school as a community school. | More

Reminder: Guidance for Submitting Competitive Grant Applications Using Vendor Self Service

The State of Maine now uses Vendor Self Service (VSS) for all competitive procurement. As such, Maine school administrative units (SAUs) are asked to please use VSS to submit applications for and questions about all competitive grant opportunities (also known as Requests for Applications—RFAs). If an applicant emails a question about an RFA directly to the listed RFA coordinator, their application will not be disqualified; however, they will be redirected to submit their question through VSS. | More

Reminder: Nominations Open for State/County Teacher of the Year

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program, which celebrates excellence in teaching and elevates the importance of the teaching profession. Traditionally, Maine selects a County Teacher of the Year from each of Maine’s 16 counties. One of those educators is later named State Teacher of the Year and also becomes Maine’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Camden Rockport Middle School Student Wins 2026 MLTI Maine Winter Classic T-Shirt Design Contest

Congratulations to Camden Rockport Middle School sixth-grade student Hannah Smith, who was selected as the winner of this year’s t-shirt design contest for the 2026 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Maine Winter Classic! Smith’s design will appear on the official t-shirt for the event, which will take place virtually in schools across Maine from March 2-6, 2026. | More

Submit good news to the Maine Department of Education here.

Professional Learning/Training Opportunities

Maine to Host CyberStorm ’26, Third Annual Tabletop Exercise to Strengthen School Cyber Preparedness

Maine education, technology, and cybersecurity partners will bring together school leaders on February 12, 2026, for CyberStorm ’26, the state’s third annual statewide school cybersecurity tabletop exercise, focused on strengthening readiness, coordination, and response across Maine’s school systems. This statewide cyber “fire drill” for elementary and secondary schools still has registration spots available to school administrative units (SAUs) that would like to participate. | More

View the Maine Department of Education’s Events Calendar here.