2023/2024 Community of Practice for New Special Educators

Are you a new special education teacher in your first year or two of teaching? Beginning in September 2023, the Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education’s Special Educator Engagement, Development & Supports (SEEDS) project will host a community of practice for you! Each session will be held virtually after school hours and will focus on the most relevant and meaningful topics for you as you start your career as an educator. Topics will be decided by the community of practice and may include areas such as inclusion, co-teaching, collaboration, IEP writing, behavior supports, literacy and math interventions, etc. The community of practice will also have an online platform to engage and support one another in between the monthly meetings.

To register for the New Special Educator Community of Practice, please fill out this survey. The sessions for the 2023-2024 school year are from 3:30-4:45 pm on September 11, October 10, November 8, December 14, January 8, February 13, March 13, April 11, May 13, and June 11.

If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Whitlock at tracy.w.whitlock@maine.gov

Webinar: Quarterly Reporting – September 12, 2023

Join the data team for a webinar about quarterly state reporting requirements – Attendance, Truancy, Behavior, and Bullying.

This webinar will be recorded and posted to the DOE Data YouTube playlist. It may take a few days for the recording to be posted, however, it will be available as soon as possible. Additional information about this webinar can be found on the Maine DOE Data Webinar webpage of the Helpdesk Website.

If this webinar is canceled, there will be a notice posted on the Helpdesk Website at the top of the page.

Alternate Economic Status Form Webinar:

September 12th at 10:00 am
Join the live event here

For questions about data reporting webinars please contact Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov

Info Sessions: Conceptual Classrooms & Educational Programs for Teachers (ConCEPT)

On August 31st and September 7th, the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is offering informational webinars on “Conceptual Classrooms & Educational Programs for Teachers” (ConCEPT), an innovative approach aimed at enhancing your teaching practices and student engagement through concept-based inquiry strategies. This program offers a comprehensive learning experience grounded in evidence-based research that will equip you with valuable tools and knowledge to transform your classroom approach.

What does ConCEPT offer?

Connection to Research: Discover evidence-based strategies and practices that support effective concept-based inquiry in the classroom.
Mapping and Planning: Learn how to design curriculum and instruction using concept-based frameworks, empowering your students’ learning journey.
Collaboration: Engage in collaborative activities and discussions with fellow educators, fostering a community of shared ideas and experiences.
Customization: Tailor your learning experience to suit your team’s unique pathway, ensuring maximum impact on your teaching practices.

Why should you participate in ConCEPT?

Enhanced Curriculum Design: Develop concept-based inquiry curriculum and instruction design skills that align with the latest educational standards.
Strengthened Pedagogical and Content Knowledge: Deepen your understanding of pedagogy and content across various subject areas.
Active Learning Strategies: Discover dynamic and engaging active learning strategies to invigorate your classroom environment.
Take Away Ideas and Materials: Gain valuable resources, ideas, and materials to enrich your teaching practices.
Integrated SEL Strategies: Learn how to integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) effective strategies to create a nurturing and inclusive classroom atmosphere.
Learning from National Experts: Benefit from the expertise of renowned national educators who will guide and inspire you throughout the program.

Who is ConCEPT designed for?

ConCEPT is open to teams of 3-6 members from K-12 schools. Participants may include Classroom Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Coordinators, and other Administrators (Superintendent/Principal). Teams must include at least one Classroom Teacher and at least one Administrator (e.g., Coach, Coordinator, building/district Supervisor, etc.). The rest of the team may be made up of any combination of participants.

Program Details:

Cost: Participation in ConCEPT is entirely free!
Contact Hours: You can earn up to 24 contact hours during the program.
Reimbursement: Districts/schools are eligible for reimbursement of costs associated with planning, such as substitutes or after-contract hours, up to $5000.

To learn more and register for the informational webinar, please visit the ConCEPT web page.

For further information, please contact Kathy Bertini, the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team Coordinator, at (207) 816-0294 or kathy.bertini@maine.gov.

Join us in this exciting educational journey that will empower you to create enriching concept-based learning experiences for your students. We look forward to seeing you continue to thrive as educators and positively impact your classrooms and school communities.

The ConCEPT program is supported as part of the Maine Online Open-Source Education (MOOSE) project. MOOSE is funded entirely (100%) through Federal money under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) and American Rescue Plan (ARP), totaling $4,598,000 for the current 2023-2024 funding cycle.

Pre-K for ME, K for ME and 1st Grade for ME Professional Learning Communities Offered 

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), along with public school teachers from across the state, are teaming up to offer monthly professional learning communities (PLCs) for educators implementing Pre-K for ME,  K for ME, and 1st Grade for ME in their classrooms. 

These PLCs are provided to promote understanding of program design and to support successful program implementation.  Program components will be explored in greater depth and teachers will be encouraged to share examples of practice/student work.  Lead teachers and ed techs using the programs are strongly encouraged to attend, whether you are new to using the programs or have been using them for a while. 

This year’s PLC opportunities will be held virtually from 3:30-4:30 pm on the first Tuesday of the month:  

October 3
November 7 
December 5 
January 2 
February 6
March 5   
April 2

Although it is highly encouraged, teachers and ed techs do not have to commit to attending every session. Details about how to access the sessions will be provided after registration is completed. Registrations for the PLCs should be received by September 29, 2023. 

Register here.

For additional information contact Nicole.Madore@maine.gov, Danielle.M.Saucier@maine.gov, or Marcy.R.Whitcomb@maine.gov.

Focus on Challenging Behaviors in the Classroom – A Community of Practice (CoP) Opportunity

The Maine Department of Education’s Early Learning Team is pleased to announce a new Community of Practice (CoP) focusing on supporting challenging behaviors in the classroom. We are excited to bring together pre-k-2nd grade educators across our state in a virtual platform to build a community of support, resources, and learning.

This no-cost professional learning experience will focus on current developmentally appropriate practices and share resources to build social and emotional foundations. Sessions will run for one hour, take place virtually via Zoom, and will consist of group discussion of a previewed resource and time for large or small group problems of practice discussions.

The Community of Practice will be held from 3:30 – 4:30 PM. on the following dates:

September 26th
October 24th
November 28th
January 23rd
February 27th
March 26th
May 23rd

For more information, please contact Marcy Whitcomb, Public Pre-K Consultant: marcy.r.whitcomb@maine.gov

Powerful Practices Professional Learning Community (PLC) Sessions: Reflection

Want to develop a reflective practice and need some support? Although many educators know reflection is important, it can be challenging to carve out the time to do it. This workshop series provides teachers with the resources and time to start (or restart) reflecting on their practice.

During these sessions, teachers will select a problem of practice to focus on and have time to reflect, collaborate with other teachers, and make an action plan. As a result, educators will have the necessary time and tools to develop their reflective practice.

Intended Audience: PK-12 Teachers

To accommodate a variety of schedules, we are offering two sessions. Please register for one session.

Session 1

September 19, 26, October 3, 10

3:00 – 3:45 PM

Session 2

September 21, 28, October 5, 12

3:45 – 4:30 PM

For more information on these workshops, please contact Jaime Beal, Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist at jaime.beal@maine.gov

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 the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team Coordinator at Kathy.bertini@maine.gov

Public Pre-K and Partnership Open Office Hours Scheduled

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Early Learning Team is pleased to offer Open Office Hours focusing on technical assistance for public pre-k.

These office hours will feature Marcy Whitcomb, Public Pre-K Consultant, as well as Sue Gallant and Julie Raymond, Public Pre-K Expansion Consultants. Sessions are meant to be a time for educators, pre-k coordinators and administrators to come together to ask questions, celebrate successes and/or work through problems of practice in public pre-k that educators, administrators, and partnership programs may be experiencing.

Office hours are offered as part of the Maine DOE’s Pre-K Technical Assistance program and are intended to meaningfully support addressing questions and needs as well as provide networking opportunities; participants can join for the full hour, or just a part; for each session or only to obtain an answer to a question.

Pre-K Open Office Hour Sessions will be held the first Wednesday of each month, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., on the following schedule:

Month	Day	Topic
September	6^th	Starting the Year: Family Engagement in the Classroom
October	4^th	ECCP classroom support with challenging behaviors
November	1^st	Student assessment and reporting
December	6^th	Celebrations and challenges
January	3^rd	Routine Reboot – coming back from the break
February	7^th	Bringing the outside in – nature-based play in winter
March	6^th	Incorporating STEM and technology in the pre-k classroom
April	3^rd	Transitioning our students – pre-k to k
May	1^st	Looking toward next year: screenings, child find, enrollment

Please use and save the following Zoom link and password to access each meeting (the meeting link will be the same for each office hour session):

Public Pre-K Office Hours (1^st Wednesday of the month) – Zoom link
Meeting ID: 831 6398 7276
Passcode: 07691734

To submit a topic or question prior to a session and/or for more information please email Marcy Whitcomb, Public Pre-K Consultant, at: Marcy.r.whitcomb@maine.gov

The Maine Educational Technology Directors Association Launches New Mentorship Program

The Maine Educational Technology Directors Association (METDA) will be launching a new mentorship program this fall that will provide a state-wide approach to providing professional development and support specific to Technology Directors who are in their first years as district decision-makers, resource managers, and instructional leaders.

Mentees will receive coaching from experienced mentors and have access to the expertise and resources of technology leaders in our state and beyond. The program will serve to elevate the success of Technology Directors in serving the needs of their local stakeholders while also building collective efficacy around best practices with educational technology across districts in Maine.

For more information, complete this form by 9/1/23.

Professional Learning Series: Conceptual Classrooms & Educational Programs for Teachers

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction (II) Team is excited to introduce “Conceptual Classrooms & Educational Programs for Teachers” (ConCEPT), an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing your teaching practices and student engagement through concept-based inquiry strategies. Grounded in evidence-based research, this program offers a comprehensive learning experience that will equip you with valuable tools and knowledge to transform your classroom approach.

What does ConCEPT offer?

Connection to Research: Discover evidence-based strategies and practices that support effective concept-based inquiry in the classroom.
Mapping and Planning: Learn how to design curriculum and instruction using concept-based frameworks, empowering your students’ learning journey.
Collaboration: Engage in collaborative activities and discussions with fellow educators, fostering a community of shared ideas and experiences.
Sustainable Change Leadership: Acquire leadership skills to drive sustainable educational change in your school community.
Customization: Tailor your learning experience to suit your team’s unique pathway, ensuring maximum impact on your teaching practices.

Why should you participate in ConCEPT?

Enhanced Curriculum Design: Develop concept-based inquiry curriculum and instruction design skills that align with the latest educational standards.
Strengthened Pedagogical and Content Knowledge: Deepen your understanding of both pedagogy and content across various subject areas.
Active Learning Strategies: Discover dynamic and engaging active learning strategies to invigorate your classroom environment.
Take Away Ideas and Materials: Gain valuable resources, ideas, and materials to enrich your teaching practices.
Integrated SEL Strategies: Learn how to integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) effective strategies to create a nurturing and inclusive classroom atmosphere.
Learning from National Experts: Benefit from the expertise of renowned national educators who will guide and inspire you throughout the program.

Who is ConCEPT designed for?

Program Details:

Cost: Participation in ConCEPT is entirely free!
Contact Hours: You can earn up to 24 contact hours during the program.
Reimbursement: Districts/schools are eligible for reimbursement of costs associated with planning, such as substitutes or after-contract hours, up to $5000.
The II team will be offering a series of informational webinars dedicated to providing comprehensive insights into the ConCEPT pilot program. These live webinars are scheduled to take place during the last week of August and will be recorded for accessibility throughout September.
The application period will be open throughout the entire month of September.

We look forward to sharing further details about the webinar schedule and registration process soon. Stay tuned for updates on our website and social media channels. School administrators and educators are encouraged to visit the Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction team’s website during the month of September to access the application form and learn more about the selection criteria and ConCEPT pilot program requirements. Don’t miss the chance to part of a transformative educational pilot that will support positive change

For further information or to enroll in the ConCEPT program, please contact Kathy Bertini, the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team Coordinator, at (207) 816-0294 or kathy.bertini@maine.gov. You can also visit the Maine DOE website for additional details.

Maine Department of Education Hosts 1st Computer Science Summer Institute

Nearly 100 educators from across the state attended a multi-day institute in July, focused around computer science education. Educators spent two and a half days engaging in sessions and collaborating to integrate computer science into their classrooms and upcoming school year activities. Topics included Robotics & Programming, Coding & Hardware, Augmented & Virtual Reality, and much more!

These educators also spent some time exploring connections between the mobile computer science labs and SLAM clubs at their schools to help leverage the mobile lab technology to promote student leadership and engage students as experts with the mobile labs.

Check out this video to learn more about the CS Summer Institute.

These educators will be sharing some of the awesome computer science learning experiences they’ve been creating at the CS Ed Showcase on August 17^th. For more information about the CS Ed Showcase, check out this article.

#MaineTeachesCS #CSISummerInstitute #MLTI #MLTISLAM

If you have questions or would like to know more about computer science education in Maine, contact the (Acting) Learning Through Technology Coordinator and Computer Science Specialist, Emma-Marie Banks at emma-marie.banks@maine.gov

This event was funded by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Funding (GEER).