Category: Professional Development

Mainely Play LAB Kicks Off in Brewer This Fall: Two Days of Play-Powered Learning for Early Educators

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Early Learning Team is excited to offer a new professional learning opportunity for early childhood educators called the Mainely Play LAB. This dynamic, hands-on event will be held at Jeff’s Catering and Event Center in Brewer on October 27 and 28. It is designed for administrators, teachers, instructional coaches, and support staff working in pre-K through grade 2 in Maine. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 6, 2025.

The Mainely Play LAB offers participants the opportunity to:

  • Explore developmentally appropriate, play-based strategies that spark curiosity and deepen learning.
  • Align classroom practices with Maine’s standards, curriculum frameworks, and assessment goals.
  • Build joyful, engaging learning environments that balance creativity, play, and academic rigor.

Over two in-person days, participants will engage in practical learning, collaborative problem-solving, and leave with actionable tools to strengthen their classrooms and programs.

Schools must apply in teams of three to eight members spanning pre-K through grade 2. Each team must include:

  • At least one administrator (e.g., principal, assistant principal, curriculum leader, etc.)
  • At least two classroom teachers (from the same grade or across different grade levels)

Schools are encouraged to include additional educators such as allied arts teachers, instructional coaches, school counselors, special educators, English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers, and educational technicians.

Participatingschools will be eligible for a financial incentive to support, including:

  • Travel costs (including mileage and lodging for individuals traveling 75 or more miles one way)
  • Substitute coverage
  • Implementation of new strategies and materials

The incentive will range from $5,000 for teams of three to five members to $7,000 for teams of six to eight members. Please note: To receive this incentive, the team administrator must attend both days.

Apply here now! The application closes after Friday, October 6. Each team should designate a team lead to serve as the primary contact. The Maine DOE anticipates accepting between 20 and 30 teams with complete applications on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on team size.

If your school currently uses the For ME instructional programs in one or more grades, please reach out before applying. For further information or questions, please contact the following Maine DOE staff members:

Educators Invited to ‘Counted Out’ Film Screenings and Guided Dinner Discussions Across Maine

This October, the Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Maine (ATOMIM) and the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA), invites educators and school leaders to a series of free, in-person events across the state to watch the film “Counted Out” and participate in a dine-and-discuss event with fellow educators.

These engaging evenings include a screening of the award-winning documentary “Counted Out,” a casual meal, and guided small-group discussions. Together, participants will reflect on how math instruction can either empower or exclude—and how we can make math education more inclusive, relevant, and equitable for all Maine learners.

About the Film

“Counted Out” explores the biggest crises of our time—political polarization, racial and economic inequity, public health, and climate change—through an unexpected lens: math. The film challenges educators to consider how math can be both a gatekeeper and a gateway, and how rethinking its role in society can lead to transformational change in education and beyond.

Event Details

  • Dates/Locations:
    • October 7: Deer Isle, Freeport, North Berwick
    • October 8: Gardiner
    • October 9: Brewer, Caribou, South Paris, Thorndike
  • Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
  • Audience: Maine educators and school leaders
  • Contact Hours: 3 hours awarded
  • Cost: FREE (includes dinner)
  • Registration Deadline: September 30, 2025

An RSVP is required! Space is limited at each site, so please register using the links below.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

  • Deer Isle/Hancock and Washington Counties
    REACH Performing Arts Center, Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School
    249 North Deer Isle Road, Deer Isle, ME 04627
    • Contact: Justine Appel at justineappel@atomim.org
    • RSVP here.
  • Freeport/Cumberland County
    Freeport Performing Arts Center
    30 Holbrook Street, Freeport, ME 04032
    • Contact: Beth Hayden at bethayden@atomim.org
    • RSVP here.
  • North Berwick/York County
    Noble High School
    100 Noble Way, North Berwick, ME 03906
    • Contact: Amanda McIntire at amanda.mcintire@atomim.org
    • RSVP here.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

  • Gardiner/Kennebec County
    Gardiner Area High School
    40 West Hill Road, Gardiner, ME 04345
    • Contact: Stephanie Houdlette at shoudlette@msad11.org
    • RSVP here.

Thursday, October 9, 2025

  • Caribou/Aroostook County
    Caribou Performing Arts Center, Caribou High School
    308 Sweden Street, Caribou, ME 04736
    • Contact: Perrin Chick at pchick@mmsa.org
    • RSVP here.
  • Brewer/Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties
    Brewer Performing Arts Center
    92 Pendleton Street, Brewer, ME 04412
  • Thorndike/Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc Counties
    Mount View Complex
    577 Mount View Road, Thorndike, ME 04986
    • Contact: Glen Widmer at glenwidmer@atomim.org
    • RSVP here.
  • South Paris/Oxford, Androscoggin, Franklin, and Somerset Counties
    Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Auditorium
    256 Main Street, South Paris, ME 04281
    • Contact: Courtney Pierce at courtney.pierce@atomim.org
    • RSVP here.

Why Attend?

  • Explore how math connects to social justice, civic engagement, and real-world problem solving.
  • Discuss how to reduce math anxiety and promote mathematical confidence.
  • Connect with other educators and leaders across regions.
  • Walk away with actionable ideas for reimagining math instruction.

Registration is open now through September 30! Each event is limited in size, and seats are filling fast. Secure your spot today and join this statewide conversation about math, equity, and educational transformation.

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Maine DOE to Host ‘For ME’ (Pre-K through Grade 2) Professional Learning Communities During 2025-2026 School Year

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in collaboration with teacher leaders from across the state, is once again offering professional learning communities (PLCs) for educators and caregivers implementing the For ME programs, which include Pre-K for ME, K for ME, 1st Grade for ME, and 2nd Grade for ME.

These monthly virtual PLCs are designed to deepen understanding of program design and implementation. Participants will explore units and components in greater depth through real-world examples, shared practices, open discussion, and student work. Whether you are new to a program or have been using it for several years, these PLCs offer valuable support for teachers, ed techs, instructional coaches, and other staff.

Pre-K for ME PLCs
Sessions will be held virtually from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month:

  • October 6, 2025
  • November 3, 2025
  • December 1, 2025
  • January 5, 2026
  • February 2, 2026
  • March 2, 2026
  • April 6, 2026

K for ME, 1st Grade for ME, and 2nd Grade for ME PLCs
Sessions will be held virtually from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month:

  • October 14, 2025
  • December 9, 2025
  • February 10, 2026
  • April 14, 2026

Registration

While regular attendance is encouraged, participants do not need to commit to every session. Access details will be provided upon completion of registration. 

Please register by Friday, September 26, 2025. You may do so using the following links:

Questions?

Beyond the Cohort: Supporting Maine High Schools in Building a Culture of Constructive Dialogue

The Can We? Project, based at Waynflete School, has announced Beyond the Cohort—a yearlong professional learning initiative designed for Maine high schools interested in embedding constructive dialogue as a core part of school culture.

Since 2018, the Can We? Project has supported cohorts of high school students across the state in learning how to engage with differences with respect and empathy. Beyond the Cohort expands this mission by focusing on educators, empowering them with the tools, mindsets, and practices needed to bring constructive dialogue into classrooms and school communities at large.

This new offering provides structured opportunities for teachers to develop and practice the skills of facilitating dialogue across a range of learning environments. The goal is to help schools create environments where students can talk openly and thoughtfully about complex issues that matter to them and their communities.

Beyond the Cohort will be led by veteran educators Derek Pierce and Lowell Libby, both deeply experienced in designing inclusive and responsive school cultures:

  • Derek Pierce is the founding principal of Casco Bay High School in Portland and a former English teacher who helped launch Poland Regional High School.
  • Lowell Libby served as Upper School Director at Waynflete School from 1991-2021 and co-founded the Can We? Project in 2018. His career began with the Upward Bound program at the University of Maine at Farmington.

This program will be hosted by Mt. Ararat High School, a long-time public school partner of the Can We? Project, and will include collaboration with other participating schools across Maine.

Schools and educators interested in joining this statewide movement toward dialogue-rich education are encouraged to reach out and learn more.

For more information, or to express interest in Beyond the Cohort, please contact
John Holdridge, Director of the Can We? Project, at jholdridge@waynflete.org.

Literacy Learning Opportunity: Science of Reading Overview and Demystifying Dyslexia Modules Open to Maine School Teams

In the summer of 2024, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) offered educators free access to professional literacy learning through Steps to Literacy modules from the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) Institute for Learning & Research. Nearly 650 educators completed more than 20,000 hours of professional learning in the science of reading, phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, language expression, writing, emerging literacy, vocabulary, dyslexia, and English language learning. In the following spring, school teams completed AIM modules and participated in monthly communities of practice.

In response to overwhelmingly positive feedback from summer participants, as well as teams that participated in the spring AIM module community of practice project—and because of the Maine DOE’s continued dedication to supporting high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction in Maine schools—the Maine DOE is pleased to offer a third option for school teams to engage in the Science of Reading and Demystifying Dyslexia professional development and community discussions.

This opportunity will include a grant, up to $4,000 per school, to cover the cost of:

  • School reimbursement for access to AIM Module 1 – Overview of the Science of Reading and AIM Module 6 – Demystifying Dyslexia
  • Time and effort reimbursement stipends of $25 per hour for time spent outside of contractual hours to complete modules and attend four community of practice sessions (either pre-K—grade 3 or grades 4-8)
  • Reimbursement for purchases of items for implementation from a menu of options (e.g., decodable texts, professional texts, literacy materials, etc.)

To be eligible for this grant, please register a minimum of three staff members, including at least one general education teacher, one special education teacher, and one literacy leader (a specialist, administrator, or lead teacher). School teams must not have previously participated in the spring module community of practice project.

Interested applicants from schools with fewer than three school staff members should please contact Maine DOE Special Projects and Educator Supports staff member Dee Saucier at danielle.m.saucier@maine.gov to discuss options. Applications are due Friday, September 12, 2025.

AIM Pathways™ is a unique, interactive digital teacher training platform designed to deliver research and evidence-based content in the science of reading. Each Steps to Literacy module provides teachers with engaging learning opportunities organized in a “learn, practice, apply” introductory cycle and contains teaching techniques, videos, and printable resources from the comprehensive AIM Pathways courses to develop participants’ understanding and application of new techniques into classroom practice.

The modules offered as a part of this grant project include:

  • Module 1: Overview of the Science of Reading (9 hours)
  • Module 6: Demystifying Dyslexia (3 hours)

To register a team for this project, please complete the application form at this link.

For additional information, please contact danielle.m.saucier@maine.gov.

Statewide Professional Learning Experience: EngageMEnt – Cultivating Innovative Teaching and Learning

Maine educators, you are invited to a statewide professional learning experience hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE)!

Mark your calendars! The Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning and Office of Innovation are excited to invite all educators, ed techs, administrators, and pre-service educators to three full days of free, high-quality professional development in the 2025-2026 school year.

In partnership with the University of Maine System, this statewide professional learning initiative is made possible through a valued collaboration with the University of Maine at Orono (UMaine), the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF), and the University of Southern Maine (USM). We are grateful to these institutions for opening their doors to educators across the state. Their partnership ensures that our shared commitment to accessible, high-quality, and regionally grounded professional learning is available to every educator, whether attending in person or joining online.

No matter your role in public education—whether you’re an early childhood educator, a STEM enthusiast, a literacy coach, a pre-service teacher, or someone looking to deepen their practice in inclusive education—there’s something for you. These engaging workshops are crafted by Maine DOE staff and designed to inspire, energize, and equip you with tools to meet the needs of today’s learners.

2025-2026 Statewide Professional Learning Dates:

  • Friday, October 10, 2025
  • Friday, January 16, 2026
  • Friday, March 20, 2026

You can attend in-person at one of the University of Maine System campuses (UMaine, UMF, USM) or join remotely via live stream from anywhere in the state. There is also an option to catch up on-demand after the fact. All participants will be eligible for contact hours.

These learning days are scheduled to align with many school administrative unit’s’ dedicated professional development days. You can register for all three events or just one or two.

Each day is structured as follows:

  • Morning Workshop: 9-11:30 a.m.
  • Lunch Break: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (on your own)
  • Afternoon Workshop: 12:30-–3 p.m.

Planning to join us on campus? Each session offers an interactive, in-person experience, with just 50 seats available per workshop session. Registration is required, so please be sure to reserve your spot early to participate onsite. Prefer to learn from your own space? The online option offers unlimited registration, and you can join live from anywhere in the state! Can’t attend live? Don’t worry; asynchronous recordings will be available, so you can access content when it works for you.

Topics include:

  • 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
  • And more!

Ready to learn more or register? Check out the full list of workshops and campus offerings on this event flyer. Secure your spot by registering here today.

Let’s grow together! Come as you are. Learn in the ways that work for you. Connect with educators from across the state in a welcoming space that prioritizes equity, innovation, and real-world learning.

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

Maine DOE to Host Retro Report Professional Development Day for History and Civics Educators

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is partnering with Retro Report to host a unique day of professional development for educators on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Augusta.

This event will showcase a new resource collection funded in part by a Teaching with Primary Sources grant from the Library of Congress. This collection features 25 short films spanning post-Reconstruction U.S. history, each paired with a curated primary source pack and scaffolded writing outlines to support diverse learners.

Designed especially for middle and high school teachers of U.S. history and civics/government, as well as educators supporting special education students in these courses, the training promises practical classroom resources and collaborative learning opportunities.

Participants will receive a $150 stipend (upon completion of the post-professional development survey), as well as coffee and a catered lunch. Attendees are encouraged to bring a charged laptop and an eagerness to engage with high-quality instructional materials.

Registration is limited to the first 25 educators who sign up. Please register here.

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

Reflecting on the 2025 Maine DOE Annual Summit: A Resounding Success

The 2025 Maine Department of Education Annual Summit—themed “Measure What Matters: The Expanding View of Educational Excellence in Maine”—wrapped up with tremendous energy and inspiration on August 6 at Thomas College in Waterville.

Nearly 100 dynamic sessions were offered over two full days of programming (August 5 and 6), spanning areas such as early childhood education, social-emotional learning, interdisciplinary instruction, youth engagement, inclusivity, the BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) model, extended learning opportunities, outdoor learning and climate education, school safety, mental health and wellness, literacy, emotional intelligence, physical and health education, literacy, math, and classroom technology.



Attendance at the summit was broad and impactful. Educators from across the state gathered to share insights, exchange strategies, and recharge before the 2025-2026 school year. Many earned up to 10 contact hours toward their credential renewal, and a special Educational Trip Leader Permit Course—essential for supervising student outings near water—was also offered.

Comments from conference participants included:

“Thank you all for a wonderful conference.”

“A fantastic conference! Thank you.”

“Learned so much and came back home inspired!!!”

WABI TV5 featured the summit in their evening news broadcast on August 5, with interviews from Maine DOE Chief of the Office of Federal Programs Janette Kirk, who helped to plan the event; keynote speaker Becky Hallowell, 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year; and conference-goer Besty Trenckmann, a 2025 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching finalist, who was honored during the event.


This year’s summit expanded accessibility by waiving registration fees for identified schools under Maine’s Model of School Supports (TSI, ATSI, and CSI), covering up to 10 staff members per school—a support valued at $2,500 per institution.

Keynote presentations from Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin and Hallowell added a personal and motivational touch. Their leadership and dedication to measuring schools’ success beyond test scores and place-based, outdoor learning deeply resonated with attendees.

“You all are helping to shape our future every single day that you step into your classroom–when you see the whole student, build relationships that communicate high expectations, and pivot as the learning environment changes,” Hallowell offered to fellow educators at the end of her keynote. “Thank you for creating a strong learning ecosystem.”


The summit also featured a bustling exhibit area, where participants could visit informational booths, including a special section for educator credentialing, where members of the Maine DOE Certification Team were available both days to offer support and guidance.


Educators left the event buzzing with new ideas and resources—refreshed, connected, and ready to bring transformative learning experiences to their students and communities statewide.

For ME Trainings Support Early Educators Across Maine

(Pictured: Teachers work together during the “Building Beautiful Things” activity, bringing in classroom items to build, collaborate, and reflect on the importance of play-based learning.)

Across the State of Maine, educators are coming together this summer to strengthen the foundations of early learning through the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) “For ME” instructional programs. These programs, which support pre-K through grade 2 classrooms, are part of a growing initiative to provide developmentally appropriate, play-based, and standards-aligned instruction for Maine’s youngest learners.

The Maine DOE recently hosted two of its signature summer trainings in Augusta: K for ME and 1st and 2nd Grade for ME. Over four days (two days for each grade level), nearly 140 educators participated in sessions designed to build confidence, encourage collaboration, and support high-quality instruction using the Maine DOE’s open-source curriculum. These training sessions weren’t just about introducing materials; they were about empowering educators to bring those lessons to life in their classrooms. Pre-K for ME trainings were held during the same week in Hampden and Falmouth.

The For ME instructional programs have been steadily expanding since their initial launch in 2018. What began with a focus on pre-K has now grown into a full suite of resources for the early elementary years. This summer is especially exciting, as it marks the official introduction of 2nd Grade for ME, completing the pre-K to grade 2 continuum.

Each summer, the Maine DOE invites educators from across the state to join these trainings and become a part of a professional learning community that extends into the school year. This year’s sessions are supporting more than 240 professionals across the pre-K to grade 2 span, including classroom teachers, ed techs, instructional coaches, special educators, and administrators from about 30 school districts and 10 private childcare programs.

What makes these trainings particularly powerful is the leadership behind them. Many sessions are led by experienced teacher leaders—practicing educators from RSU 22, as well as school systems in Falmouth, Sanford, Brunswick, and other communities. These educators bring firsthand experience from their classrooms and help to mentor peers through model lessons, classroom visits, and professional guidance.

Later this summer, the Maine DOE will also offer a special “deeper dive” session for pre-K educators who have been using the program for more than three years. This one-day training was created using direct feedback from participants and is tailored to help veteran educators to explore the curriculum in new and meaningful ways.

With each training session, the Maine DOE continues to demonstrate its commitment to nurturing not just student learning but also the professional growth of those guiding them. The energy, collaboration, and innovation on display this summer highlight a shared goal across Maine’s education community: ensuring that every child has a strong, joyful start to their educational journey.

An Invitation to School Principals to Join Maine’s 2025-2026 Transformational Leaders’ Network

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) would like to invite school principals to register for a year-long professional learning experience called the Transformational Leaders’ Network (TLN). The TLN offers principals an opportunity to deepen their leadership skills and network with fellow principals across the state. This dynamic, learner-centered program, facilitated by experienced educational leaders, has a rich history of success and is open to all Maine principals.

The most important aspects of the TLN are summed up in these words: connection and community, learning and reflection, and safety and support. Unlike a typical professional development program, the TLN is a professional lifeline, providing a trusted community where school leaders find belonging, clarity, and collective wisdom. The TLN’s structure of reflective practice, peer validation, and collaborative problem-solving transforms how changes are implemented and sustained. Leaders move from isolation to connection, from reactive decisions to strategic action, and from centralized control to shared leadership.

Each session involves sharing challenging issues, experiencing tools for leading at your school, and exploring relevant leadership literature in a community of like-minded learners. As turbulent times in public education continue, filled with challenging situations, this year’s TLN will focus on the theme: Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, and Positive Change.

What the Research Says
In February of 2021, a research report commissioned by the Wallace Foundation was released. This report suggests that the way in which principals approach school leadership directly affects schools’ outcomes. These outcomes are defined as “drivers of principals’ impact.” They include:

  • Forms of engagement with teachers that center on instructional practice
  • Practices that encourage a school environment marked by trust, efficacy, teamwork, engagement with data, organizational learning, and continuous improvement
  • Facilitating productive collaboration and professional learning communities
  • Managing personnel and resources strategically

This research supports the importance of leadership in maintaining the climate and culture of a school. As Jason A. Grissom, co-author of the Wallace Foundation report, noted this year in a webinar: “The best evidence we have is that the best way to support principal growth is to lean on what we already know is important from studies of adult learning: Professionals learn complex roles when they get development opportunities that are ongoing, collaborative with their peers, and closely connected to their needs in their day-to-day work.”

Evidence from a 2025 case study of the TLN showed that over the years, as principals remained in the TLN program, they could see a pattern of increased retention of staff members. Focusing on culture and respectful leadership helped to attract and retain quality staff. “It’s how people are treated that draws them in,” one TLN participant stated. “[The TLN] helped me learn to connect with a person, so they’re more than just an employee.”

Pre-K—grade 12 principals are encouraged to apply for the TLN. Those who participate must commit to six in-person, full-day sessions (at places to be determined, based on the locations of participants). There will also be four sessions with the option of attending virtually or in-person. The 2025-2026 TLN program schedule is as follows: 

Full-day sessions (in-person from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) are on:

  • September 19, 2025
  • October 24, 2025
  • December 5, 2025
  • January 30, 2026
  • March 27, 2026
  • May 8, 2026

Remote and/or regional meetings will take place the weeks of:

  • November 17, 2025
  • February 23, 2026
  • April 13, 2026
  • June 15, 2026

Successful completion of the TLN may result in contact hours for re-certification purposes. Additional highlights include:

  • Continuous, job-embedded professional development for a shifting role
  • A collaborative learning community with practice/support for conflict management
  • Emotional intelligence learning and reflection, helping to shift leadership mindsets
  • Enhancement of school climate and culture with strategies to build trust, communicate openly, and support and engage staff more effectively
  • Implementation of systems and structural change by using concrete tools and supports for sustainable procedural changes
  • School leadership teams that prioritize the distribution of leadership, helping others to feel valued and empowered, building capacity, and nurturing future leaders
  • Intentional, equity-focused analysis and techniques

Registrations for the TLN will be accepted on a rolling basis. Please apply for the 2025-2026 TLN here. To receive materials by the first session, participants are encouraged to register by September 10, 2025.

The TLN registration fee is $295 per participant for the full year of professional learning, including all TLN content, activities, and materials. If you are the leader of an identified school under Maine’s Model of School Supports (TSI-Targeted School Improvement, ATSI-Additional Targeted School Improvement, CSI-Comprehensive School Improvement), please contact Christina O’Neal, Maine DOE Educator Excellence Coordinator, at christina.l.oneal@maine.gov for a discount code to cover your registration fee. Participants will be responsible for travel expenses.

With general questions, please contact christina.l.oneal@maine.gov. For specific program details, please contact Fran Farr, Lead TLN Facilitator, at franfarr522@gmail.com.

For more information, and to read comments from past TLN participants, please click here.