Maine educators are invited to attend a statewide professional learning experience on Friday, January 16, 2026, hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Offices of Teaching and Learning and Innovation. This is the second of three free, statewide events, designed for educators, ed techs, administrators, and pre-service educators, scheduled for the 2025-2026 school year. The first took place in October, and the third is scheduled for Friday, March 20.

These professional learning days are scheduled to align with the dedicated professional development days of many school administrative units (SAUs). Educators may register for both remaining events or just one. Participants may attend in-person at one of the University of Maine System campuses—University of Maine Orono (UMaine), University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), and the University of Southern Maine (USM)—or join remotely via livestream from anywhere in the state. Educators will also be able to access materials on-demand after the event. All participants are eligible for contact hours.

No matter your role in public education—whether you’re an early childhood educator; a science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) enthusiast; a literacy coach; a pre-service teacher; or someone looking to deepen their practice in inclusive education—there will be something at these events for you. The engaging workshops on offer, crafted by Maine DOE staff, are designed to inspire, energize, and equip educators with the tools required to meet the needs of today’s learners.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Play-based and early childhood assessment
• Wabanaki Studies integration
• STEAM and numeracy
• Literacy through graphic novels
• UDL (Universal Design for Learning) and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) frameworks
• Supporting multilingual learners
• Technology integration
• Environmental education

Each professional learning day will start with morning workshops from 9-11:30 a.m., followed by a lunch break (on your own) from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and ending with afternoon workshops from 12:30-3 p.m. There are 50 seats available per in-person workshop session, while the remote option offers unlimited space. Registration is required in advance. You may register here. Those who cannot participate day-of may access asynchronous recordings of sessions here once they are posted.

In partnership with the University of Maine System, this statewide professional learning initiative is made possible through a valued collaboration with UMaine, UMF and USM. The Maine DOE is grateful to these institutions for opening their doors to educators from across the state. This partnership helps to ensure that accessible, high-quality, and regionally grounded professional learning is available to every Maine educator, whether attending in-person or joining remotely.

For questions or more information, please reference this flyer or contact Beth Lambert, Maine DOE Chief Teaching and Learning Officer, at beth.lambert@maine.gov.

The Maine Curriculum Leaders Association (MCLA) will host its annual Spring Conference on Monday, March 30, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center. This year’s theme is, “MTSS: The Umbrella for Making UDL Work in Every Classroom.” The event will focus on enhancing coherence between the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)—a top priority identified through member feedback.

MCLA is pleased to welcome back Dr. Katie Novak, an internationally recognized expert in MTSS and UDL, for a full day of interactive learning. Designed for district leaders, school-based leaders, and instructional coaches, the conference will explore how MTSS provides the systems and structures that allow UDL to flourish in every classroom. Participants will engage in real-world examples, collaborative activities, and practical planning tools that support high-quality, equitable instruction for all Maine students.

Attendees will leave with strategies they can immediately apply to strengthen curriculum, instruction, and assessment within their schools and school districts. The day will offer plenty of flexible learning experiences; there will be numerous opportunities to explore resources, participate in walk-and-talk sessions, join small groups, and, most importantly, apply your learning.

Conference Objectives Include:

• Examining current MTSS implementation to identify strengths and opportunities.
• Applying UDL principles to design more inclusive and flexible learning experiences.
• Developing actionable next steps that advance instructional practices across districts.

Registration Details:

• $250 for MCLA members
• $300 for non-members

Districts with an MCLA District Membership may register all staff at the member rate.

For more information or to register, please visit the MCLA Spring Conference registration form or reach out to MCLA at director@mainecla.org.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of School and Student Supports is in year four of a five-year Statewide Family Engagement Center (SFEC) grant. For those interested in learning more about this grant and available upcoming resources, the Maine DOE will be providing a three-part Family Engagement Office Hour series throughout the 2025-2026 school year. The first session will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. virtually via Zoom.

SFEC grants provide financial support to organizations that offer technical assistance and training to state education agencies in the implementation and enhancement of systemic and effective family engagement policies, programs, and activities. Through Maine’s SFEC grant, the Consortium for Engaging Families Across Maine (CEFAM) was established. CEFAM is an online resource for educators, families, and students that includes family engagement assessment tools, information about parent advisory team opportunities, trainings to strengthen family engagement and partnership practices, and more.

The Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports invites educators to join the first Family Engagement Office Hour for an overview of the SFEC grant, including what has been accomplished in the first three years of the grant, feedback received from more than 800 parents/caregivers in Maine, and resources available in the final two years of the SFEC grant. This content is applicable to administrators, teachers, and any school staff member seeking to strengthen relationships, partnerships, and engagement with families. The remaining two Family Engagement Office Hour sessions (at dates to be announced in the winter and early spring) will share information in response to requests by educators who attended the first Office Hour session, as well as updates and opportunities to continue supporting family engagement efforts.

Please register in advance for the October 30 Family Engagement Office Hour. Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details about how to join the meeting. 

If you have questions or ideas about family engagement needs in your school administrative unit, please contact Maine DOE Director of the Office of School and Student Supports Julie Smyth at julie.a.smyth@maine.gov.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Community College System (MCCS) are inviting educators, families, and community members to a free statewide virtual showing of the film Counted Out on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 7 p.m.

This live virtual event, made possible through the partnership of the Maine DOE and MCCS, is part of a shared commitment to promoting numeracy and equitable, rigorous math pathways across public education in Maine.

Counted Out argues that numeracy and math literacy—the ability to speak the language of math—are critical determinants of social and economic mobility and engagement. This film highlights how access to meaningful math learning experiences can open doors to opportunity, civic participation, and confidence for all learners.

While Counted Out is not about math pathways specifically, its message underscores the central role of math literacy in ensuring students’ future success. This virtual showing offers a chance for educators and community members statewide to join a collective conversation about how to help all Maine students see themselves as capable mathematical thinkers.

Registration is required to participate in the live showing, and the film will begin promptly at 7 p.m. on October 21. Upon registering, participants will receive a unique ticket link by email. Watch the Counted Out trailer and register here.

Celebrating Statewide Engagement

Earlier this fall, in-person screenings and guided dinner discussions were hosted in communities across the state through a collaboration between the Maine DOE, the Maine Math and Science Alliance (MMSA), and the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Maine (ATOMIM). These regional events brought together educators, administrators, and community members to reflect on the film and share ideas for advancing numeracy in Maine schools.

Participants described Counted Out as “inspiring,” “eye-opening,” and “a reminder that math is for everyone.” Many highlighted the importance of creating classrooms where mathematics feels relevant, engaging, and connected to real life.

One educator wrote, “Creative math classrooms result in creative mathematical thinkers,” while another reflected that, “We need to change the narrative, so every student sees themselves as capable and curious about math.” Others expressed a desire to continue connecting with like-minded educators and exploring new approaches to hands-on, community-based math learning.

Maine DOE Chief Teaching and Learning Officer Beth Lambert praised the collaboration behind the screenings and the enthusiasm of participants statewide.

“The conversations around Counted Out remind us that math is more than numbers—it’s a language of empowerment,” Lambert said. “We’re excited to bring that message to even more Mainers through the upcoming virtual showing.”