Category: News & Views

Department honors top math, science teachers

The Maine DOE recently honored the four state finalists for the 2013 Presidential Award in Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science (PAEMST) with a dinner held at the Maple Hill Farm  Inn located in Hallowell. Maine DOE Science and Technology Specialist Shari Templeton and Mathematics Specialist Michele Mailhot planned the evening event honoring Robin Kennedy (Sebasticook Valley Middle School), Lisa McLellan (Windham High School) and Amy Toiano (Westbrook High School) for high school science and William O’Brien (Camden Hills Regional High School) for high school  mathematics.

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Maine Department of Labor offers students summer employment tips

AUGUSTA – As school gets out for the summer, the Maine Department of Labor is reminding students looking for summer jobs that the work-permit application is available online. All minors under the age of 16 must have a work permit before they start a job, whether or not they attend school. Continue reading “Maine Department of Labor offers students summer employment tips” →

State awards South Portland’s Kaler Elementary $1.6 million for school improvement

The funding from the Maine Department of Education will help transform the struggling school and increase student achievement, teacher effectiveness and community engagement

SOUTH PORTLAND – A South Portland elementary school will use $1.6 million awarded today by the Maine Department of Education to raise student proficiency in math and reading by 10 percent annually over the next three years. Continue reading “State awards South Portland’s Kaler Elementary $1.6 million for school improvement” →

Maine higher ed institutions endorse proficiency

It’s high school graduation season and while the commitment of Maine K-12 public education system to proficiency-based diplomas starting in 2018 is clear, one of the questions I’m most frequently asked is whether colleges share that belief in the great value of this approach.

Actions like the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s transition to proficiency-based learning and college acceptances of graduates from Maine schools that have already gone to proficiency-based education reflect higher education’s support, which is not surprising given this shift ensures greater college and career readiness.

But Maine students and their families rightfully want more guarantees that post-secondary institutions will understand and embrace their proficiency-based diplomas.  

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Downeast students earn passing grade from Marine Resources Commissioner for winter flounder project

More than 50 students from coastal high schools presented their preliminary findings on their winter flounder project to Maine Commissioner of Marine Resources Patrick Keliher last week. Continue reading “Downeast students earn passing grade from Marine Resources Commissioner for winter flounder project” →

Maine DOE announces preview period for Smarter Balanced digital resources

The Smarter Balanced Digital Library preview launched on June 3.These on-demand materials are aligned to the Smarter Balanced assessment targets and will be an important resource for Maine teachers to understand progress in student learning. Continue reading “Maine DOE announces preview period for Smarter Balanced digital resources” →

Maine mathematics educators honored

seadogs
Left to right: Jackie Mitchell (1999-retired), Marilyn Curtis (2013-retired), Donna Hardt (2014-RSU 13), Ellen Greeke (2003-retired), Marshalyn Baker (2000-retired), Pam Rawson (2011-Baxter Academy for Technology and Science, Portland), Shawn Towle (2008-Falmouth Middle School), Jenny Jorgensen (2012-Harrison Middle School, Yarmouth) and David Heckman (2002-retired).

The Portland Sea Dogs recently recognized the current and several past recipients of the Jacqueline Mitchell Mathematics Educator Award. The award is given to an outstanding mathematics educator who demonstrates a commitment to Maine’s mathematical community through dedicated service.

Since its inception in 1999, 15 Maine educators have received the award given annually by the Association of the Teachers of Mathematics in Maine (ATOMIM). Eight honorees were in attendance at the game along with Jackie Mitchell, the former Maine Mathematics Specialist for whom the award was named. The honorees were celebrated on the field and Marilyn Curtis, a retired mathematics educator and the 2013 recipient of the award, tossed out the first pitch.

Maine music educators hold conference

Maine music teachers and students gathered at the University of Maine in Orono for the Maine Music Educators Association’s (MMEA) In-Service Conference last month. The conference offered performances from chorus, band, strings and jazz, and also provided professional development opportunities on proficiency and student assessment methods specific to each area of instruction. The workshops focused on the value of music education and musicianship and were presented by university and K-12 faculty, conductors, professional musicians and band directors.   Continue reading “Maine music educators hold conference” →