Category: Professional Development

Invitation to Apply: Application Open for Maine’s Transformational Leaders’ Network

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) invites school principals to apply for an inspiring professional learning opportunity. The Transformational Leaders’ Network (TLN) offers Maine principals an opportunity to deepen their leadership skills while they are leading transformational efforts in their schools. This “learner-centered” program has a ten-year history of success and is open to ALL Maine principals rather than only those previously-identified as in need of additional support. The primary requirement for joining the TLN is the ambition to improve your leadership and your school!

Who should apply?

  • School Principals (PreK-12)

What is the commitment?

  • The program consists of three types of sessions throughout the year:  in-person full days, two-hour Network sessions, and 1.5-hour Learning Leader Team sessions.  The three full-day in-person sessions (aligned to CDC safety guidelines) will be in October, February, and mid-May at a site(s) to be determined based on participation.  The majority of your time will be in Zoom-based Learning Leader Teams(LLTs) of 5-8 principals, facilitated by experienced educators. Alternating with LLT sessions will be larger group Zoom-based Network sessions designed to assist your understanding of leadership and your own strengths and challenges.

How is the program designed?

  • The TLN experience revolves around each principal’s efforts to improve their school’s success with students. In Network sessions, principals examine the leadership challenges inherent in making progress on improvement goals.  In a small group led by a facilitator, each principal will design an action plan and an accompanying “learning plan.”
  • Colleagues and resources from facilitators provide on-going consultation and advice focused on the principal’s, “continuous improvement” as a leader for the, “continuous improvement” of the school.  In this fashion, each principal’s learning goal(s) drives the curriculum of the Network.
  • Successful completion of the TLN will result in contact hours for re-certification purposes.

I’m interested… what next?

  • Applying now for this exciting opportunity is encouraged by the Department.
  • An online application can be found here.
  • Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis until the cohort is full or August 24,2021, whichever comes first. Please note, applications require the approval of the superintendent before submittal.

Where can I find more information?

What other opportunities are available to current or aspiring leaders?

To explore other leadership development opportunities please visit: https://www.maine.gov/doe/educators/leader

Opportunity for Aspiring Mentors: Mentor Training Registration Opens Today

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is committed to supporting the growth and development of educators aspiring to be mentors.  Over the past three years, the Maine DOE has collaborated with teacher leaders, administrators, and higher education partners to customize Maine’s mentor resources. These resources are available to School Administrative Units (SAUs) who wish to provide local support and training to new mentors.  We extend our sincere thanks to educators who continue to offer this training throughout the state.    

Mentors serve a critical role within their schools, and we are appreciative of their ongoing dedication to supporting and growing the profession.  Current mentors have been crucial to the educational environment—each individual mentor has made an impact.  We are encouraged by and thankful for those educators who are enthusiastically stepping up to become mentors.   

This summer, the Maine DOE will be offering virtual mentor trainings. These interactive sessions will serve as a foundation for aspiring mentors and a refresher for current mentors.  Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the principles of mentoring, reflect deeply on the role of mentors, apply practices into real-world situations, and engage in lively discussion with peers from across the state.   

Details: Educators are welcome to select either session below that works best with their schedule. The sessions will take place via Zoom, a link will be sent to participants following registration. Sessions are offered at no cost, all materials will be available electronically.

Choose from two sessions:

July 22, 2021
8:30am – 3:30pm (with a built-in lunch break)
Registration Form

August 10, 2021
8:30am – 3:30pm (with a built-in lunch break)
Registration Form

Contact Hours: Educators will receive contact hours for participation 

Educators are welcome to discuss the opportunity, along with local training requirements, with their mentor chairperson prior to registering.    

Interested in learning about future offerings, discussing customizable resources, or sharing promising practices?  

Please reach out to Emily Doughty at Emily.doughty@maine.gov or at 207-592-0314.  

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Summer Workshops

Instead of a week-long event this summer, Maine Agriculture In The Classroom (MAITC) will be holding three single day, in-person events focusing on Dairy, Aquaculture, and Wild Blueberries.

Each professional development event for PK – Grade 12 educators will offer 7 contact hours or .7 CEU’s (Total possible = 21 contact hours or 2.1 CEU’s)

Each event will start at 8:30 AM and finish at 4:00 PM. A lite breakfast, snack, and lunch will be provided at each training.

Dairy – Thursday, August 12
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

A full day of resources, lessons, and programs surrounding dairy will be provided by MAITC and the Maine Dairy Nutrition Council. In the afternoon participants will visit dairy farms, including the Flood Farm in Clinton, and experience a day in the life of a dairy farmer! Learn about silage, see a milking parlor, and learn much more about our local dairy farms!

A Day of Aquaculture – Thursday, August 19
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Join MAITC for a day of exploring aquaculture at the picturesque Downeast Institute on Beals Island. We will spend the day exploring aquaculture with hands-on activities, hosted by Dr. Anne Langston Noll. In the morning, topics include aquaculture through history, online resources for production, ocean temperatures, salinity, etc. and an introduction to aquaculture globally, in the U.S. and Maine. Later we will tour the Institute’s working shellfish hatchery, and research facilities, including spawning shellfish and (if successful!) observing fertilization and cell division, and data collection for a real-life research project piloting the farming of sea scallops in ME lobster pounds. Last but not least we will explore resources available for teachers through MAITC and our colleagues at 4H and have the opportunity to try out activities included in the 4H teacher “toolkits”. Please bring your own computer or iPad if you are able. WIFI will be available. Venue: Downeast Institute – 39 Wildflower Lane, Beals, ME 04611

Wild Blueberry Emersion – Friday, August 20
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Our day will begin at the Bluebird Ranch Family Restaurant, 78 Main Street in Machias. After a lite breakfast we will join teacher Eric Brooks for exploration of MAITC Wild Blueberry resources and curricula. Representatives from the Wild Blueberry Commission will host an afternoon tour of local farms and barrens to view harvest, culture, and production of Maine’s official berry! Do you know that Maine produces more wild blueberries than anywhere else in the world? Do not miss this opportunity!

Registration Fees & Information

  • 1 Training – $35
  • 2-Trainings – $60
  • All 3 Trainings – $75

Download registration form to mail a check

Online registration

Limited space – register early! Pre-Registration only – Deadline August 6, 2021. For more detailed information, including options for accommodations please visit: https://me.agclassroom.org/programs/summer/

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) is a grassroots program coordinated by the United States Department of Agriculture, and housed at the Maine Department of Agriculture. Our goal is to help students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy and society so that they will become citizens who support wise agricultural policies and local agriculture endeavors.

For more information visit https://me.agclassroom.org/ or contact MAITC at (207) 287-5522 or maitca@maine.gov

Free Digital Learning and Computer Science Summer Professional Learning for Educators!

In addition to the many professional learning opportunities hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) this summer, the Office of Innovation is offering an array of digital learning and computer science professional learning opportunities.

Topics include remote learning, green screen creation, digital worksheets, innovative ways to use memes, gifs, and emojis, and sessions on digital learning for students at different grade levels including elementary, middle, and high school level.

Find details about each of these sessions, in the order that they are offered, in the list below. You can also find them on the Maine DOE Professional Development Calendar, where many other professional learning opportunities and events are also available in a calendar view.

Digital Learning and Computer Science Summer Professional Learning: 

June 2021 

Date/Time: June 29th, 2021, 10am.  

Topic: Rethinking Remote Learning 

Description: As we emerge from the cloud of remote learning due to necessity, let’s explore what worked and what didn’t. We’ll share best practices for remote learning as well as dig into innovative ways to rethink how remote learning can be done. 

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov 

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Date/Time: Asynchronous. Available on June 29th, 2021. 

Topic:  Green Screen Creation 

Description: Green screen technology may seem intimidating at first, but the basics are fairly simple and allow for tremendous creativity.  While having a professional green screen is helpful, teachers have been “hacking” this technology for years with green clothing, green tents, puppets on green sticks, green screen boxes and even green playdough.  Teachers can transport themselves anywhere and students’ imaginative play can go to a new level. 

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov 

July 2021  

Date/Time: July 6th, 2021, 10am. 

Topic: Decoding Coding: Integrating Computer Science in the Elementary Classroom 

Description: Computer science can often feel like “yet another thing” that needs to “fit” in with all of the other learning requirements that teachers need to ensure are covered within a given year, Join this session to learn about strategies and best practices to integrate computer science skills, topics, and core competencies into your elementary classroom. 

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov 

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Date/Time: July 13th, 2021, 11am. 

Topic: Memes, Gifs, and Emojis! 

Description: In this session, we will explore innovative ways to use memes, gifs, and emojis to enhance connection in remote and hybrid environments and increase general student engagement. We will also look at some best practices to get students excited about digital communication. 

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov 

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Date/Time: July 20th, 11am. 

Topic: Digital Worksheets 

Description: Teachers can leverage several popular tools (Seesaw, Book Creator, Google Slides, etc.) to create engaging and personalized digital worksheets.  They can work off of pre-existing worksheets or generate their own.  The process of addressing interactivity, including various media, and allowing for multiple ways of demonstrating learning is challenging, but the final products can be transformative. 

Register Here 

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov 

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Date/Time: July 27th, 2021, 10am. 

Topic: Decoding Coding: Integrating Computer Science in the Middle School Classroom 

Description: Computer science can often feel like “yet another thing” that needs to “fit” in with all of the other learning requirements that teachers need to ensure are covered within a given year, Join this session to learn about strategies and best practices to integrate computer science skills, topics, and core competencies into your middle school classroom. 

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov 

August 2021 

Date/Time: Asynchronous. Available on August 10th, 2021. 

Topic: Book Creator in the Elementary Classroom 

Description: Due to the openness and user-friendly design of Book Creator, it could easily be leveraged in multiple ways.  First, a teacher could use it to create content with rich multimedia elements (pictures, videos, audio, diagrams, etc.).  Second, the teacher could work with the class to create a “class book” filled with content from everyone.  Third, the teacher could create an interactive workbook that students are able to manipulate and add their own answers.  Lastly, students could create digital books with their own content. 

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov 

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Date/Time: August 17th, 2021, 10am. 

Topic: Decoding Coding: Integrating Computer Science in the High School Classroom 

Description: Computer science can often feel like “yet another thing” that needs to “fit” in with all of the other learning requirements that teachers need to ensure are covered within a given year, Join this session to learn about strategies and best practices to integrate computer science skills, topics, and core competencies into your high school classroom. 

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov 

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Date/Time: August 24th, 2021, 10am.  

Topic: Strategies for Hybrid Learning 

Description: Join MDOE digital learning specialists for a session on strategies for hybrid learning. As teachers continue to adapt their teaching practices to meet the changing classroom environment, we’ve seen some great strategies to accommodate hybrid learning environments. In this session, we will discuss different models for hybrid learning and dig into some best practices, with a deep dive into strategies.  

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov 

July 2021 School Safety and Security Professional Development Offerings

To allow as much flexibility as possible for school staff to take a break from the incredibly difficult school year, yet still have the opportunity to continue to learn about school safety and security, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) has assembled a relaxed, go at your own pace, and self-select menu of short professional development sessions (30-45 minutes each)!

The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA) has archived several school safety asynchronous sessions.  Participants can register through REMS, complete any or all sessions listed below in any order, and can then  complete a brief MSSC survey on each completed session.  Once the survey is completed, a one-contact hour certificate will be made available to participants for each session completed.

Following is the link to, description of, and survey for each session:

Developing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) K-12 101

A high-quality school EOP is adequate, feasible, acceptable, complete, and compliant with state and local requirements. To ensure that EOPs meet these criteria, school planning teams must work collaboratively to determine EOP goals and objectives. That is why the planning process is so important. Although processes should be adapted based on the unique characteristics of the school, school district and situation, teams can use this session to learn about all aspects of plan development, assessment, review, implementation, and maintenance.

Learn more and take the course

Survey and certificate link

School EOPs In-Depth: Developing a Bereavement and Loss Annex

This session has been designed to help you understand the importance of including plans for responding to bereavement and loss in a high-quality school emergency operations plan (EOP) and common manifestations among children related to bereavement and loss. When you are finished with this session, you will be able to assemble the appropriate team for developing the bereavement and loss plan; identify and incorporate responses to bereavement and loss into appropriate annexes; identify and consider the role of developmental factors in early elementary, school-aged children, and adolescents in creating your plan that includes establishment of a crisis response team, as well as appropriate policies and procedures; and conduct stakeholder training related to bereavement and loss.

Learn more and take the course

Survey and certificate link

School EOPs In-Depth: Developing a COOP Annex

This session has been designed to help you learn about the Continuity of Operations (COOP) Functional Annex, or “COOP Annex.” When you are finished with this session, you will be able to define and explain the purpose of the COOP Annex; identify the types of circumstances that lead to COOP Annex activation; develop a COOP Annex as aligned with steps 3 and 4 of the recommended six-step planning process; and understand how to revise and implement COOP planning as aligned with steps 5 and 6 of the recommended six-step planning process.

Learn more and take the course

Survey and certificate link

School EOPs In-Depth: Developing a Food Contamination Annex

This session has been designed to help you learn how to incorporate food safety planning into a school Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). When you’ve completed this session, you will be able to explain the purpose of the Food Contamination Annex; assemble the appropriate team for developing the annex; develop the annex to include procedures for addressing food contamination and food recall; conduct staff training and exercises related to the annex; and use data and techniques (e.g., after action reports) to revise and maintain the annex.

Learn more and take the course

Survey and certificate link

School EOPs In-Depth: Planning for Infectious Diseases

This session has been designed to help you learn how to incorporate infectious disease planning into a school Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). When you are finished with this course, you will be able to define and explain the purpose of the Infectious Disease Annex; identify the types of circumstances that lead to Infectious Disease Annex activation; explain the functions and recommended contents of an Infectious Disease Annex; explain the integration of infectious disease planning with relevant functional annexes; and understand how to revise and implement infectious disease planning, as aligned with steps 5 and 6 of the recommended six-step planning process.

Learn more and take the course

Survey and certificate link

School EOPs In-Depth: Planning for Large Events

This session has been designed to help you define large events and the special vulnerabilities they pose to schools, understand planning considerations unique to large events, update the other annexes in your Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to account for large events, conduct staff and stakeholder training and exercises related to large events, and use data and techniques (e.g., after action reports) to revise and maintain your EOP.

Learn more and take the course

Survey and certificate link

For further questions, please contact the Maine School Safety Center.

Registration for Early Childhood Education Conference Opens June 15th

This year’s annual statewide Early Childhood Education Conference, Connecting Early Childhood Education: Birth through Eight Across the State, has been organized through a collaboration of early childhood partners, including the Maine DOE.  The conference will be held on October 22nd and 23rd at the Cross Center in Bangor.

Speakers and presenters will focus on best practices in early childhood education for all those working with children from birth through elementary school. Sessions will focus on early learning, social and emotional skills, leadership, equity and diversity, policy, meeting the needs of diverse learners, and more!  Workshops will be organized in categories so that every preschool to 3rd grade professional can find their best fit, from those working in child care and Head Start to out-of-school-time programs and elementary schools, from principals and administrators to special education and classroom teachers.

Come for one day or come for both!  Cost of attendance is $70.00 per person for one day or $140.00 per person for both days.

How to register beginning June 15th:

  1. Please visit the Conference website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maine-early-childhood-education-conference-tickets-140011555331
  2. Click on the green button that says Tickets and a pop up window will open.
  3. This registration process will secure you a ticket to one day of the 2021 Statewide ECE Conference. Participants will select breakout sessions for the conference at a later date.
  4. To register for the other day, click on the website link again, and repeat the process.

Please contact the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children with any questions or concerns related to registration by emailing info@maineaeyc.org  or by calling 207-747-2490.

For other questions, contact Maine DOE’s Early Childhood Specialist, Nicole Madore at nicole.madore@maine.gov.

 

Maine DOE Proudly Shares Summer Learning Opportunities for Education Workforce

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) already has many exciting and engaging professional learning opportunities, trainings, office hours, Q&A sessions and more planned this summer to help support, rejuvenate and inspire Maine’s education workforce. Below are events and asynchronous options that are already planned and ready for registration.

Keep an eye on our Professional Development Calendar as more opportunities will be added, subscribe to the Maine DOE Newsroom to keep up with summer announcements and opportunities, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay connected!

Maine DOE Summer Schedule:
Professional Learning, Training, & Office Hours

 Asynchronous Options:

In the Works:

Reminder: Pre-K for ME and K for ME Program Summer Training Opportunities

Since 2018, the Maine Department of Education has adapted and piloted open-source Pre-k and Kindergarten programs based on the Boston Public School’s evidence-based Focus on K1 and Focus on K2 curricula. Our own Pre-K for ME was launched in 2019.  K for ME will be launched in August of 2021.  These programs focus on the whole child and are interdisciplinary and developmentally appropriate.  They are also aligned to Maine’s learning standards.  While Maine schools are responsible for the purchase of the materials that support the programs, the programs can be accessed at no cost via the Maine DOE’s website.  Informational overviews for each of the programs available through the following links:

Pre-K for ME Informational Overview

K for ME Informational Overview

Educators/schools/programs interested in utilizing Pre-K for ME and/or K for ME in the coming year may want to take advantage of 2-day initial trainings scheduled for this August.  These trainings are provided to promote understanding of program design and to support successful program implementation.  School administrators are strongly encouraged to attend the trainings with their Pre-K and/or Kindergarten teachers.

This year’s training opportunities will be held virtually from 8:30-3:30 on August 9 and 10 for Pre-K for ME and on August 11 and 12 for K for ME.  Registration for these trainings should be completed at the school/program level.  Principals and educators should complete one registration on behalf of their school/program.  Details about how to prepare for the trainings and the materials needed to support the programs will be provided via email after registrations are received. Registrations for the 2-day training should be received by June 30, 2021.

Registration Links:

Pre-K for ME 2-day Training Registration (August 9-10)

K for ME 2-day Training Registration (August 11-12)

For additional information about Pre-K for ME, contact Nicole.Madore@maine.gov, and for K for ME, contact Leeann.Larsen@maine.gov.

2021-2022 Leadership Development Opportunities- Information Session

Do you love being an educator in Maine? Is developing your own leadership capacity intriguing to you? Do you strive to ensure more equitable outcomes for your students? Do you thrive by learning with a diverse group of thoughtful and engaged educators? If so, please consider attending an information session coming to you from the Maine Department of Education to learn more about our year-long professional learning experiences for leaders in education.

Representatives from The Transformational Leaders’ Network and Maine’s Leadership Development Program will share more about these programs and answer any questions you may have. The session will take place virtually on June 7, 2021 starting at 3:15pm.

If you would like to attend, please email Emily Doughty (Emily.Doughty@Maine.gov) or Teri Peaslee (Teri.peaslee@maine.gov) for a registration link.

If you are interested, but unable to attend, we welcome the opportunity to meet with you directly as well.  Please feel free to reach out by August 1st to make alternative arrangements.

To learn more about these offerings, please visit the Maine LDP (Maine’s Leadership Development Program | Department of Education) and TLN (Transformational Leaders’ Network | Department of Education (maine.gov) websites.

Leading Early Learning—A Professional Learning Series for Elementary School Administrators

As Maine elementary schools have added preschool programming and continue to support the development of children in the Pre-K -Grade 3 span, many elementary principals have requested additional professional learning to support their work as educational leaders.  The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and several Maine educational organizations, listed below, have collaborated to design an exciting new professional learning series to address identified needs and support professional growth.  We are pleased to announce that the first cohort for this series will launch during the 2021-22 school year.

The series will not only provide participants with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of early learning pedagogy and best practices related to supporting students and teachers across Pre-K-3, but it will also provide participants with a professional learning network, opportunity to target a self-selected aspect of practice through a project-based approach, and be supported through facilitated discussions and coaching opportunities.  Participants will be engaged in a variety of modes of learning, from asynchronous learning modules to professional learning communities, to attendance at a statewide early learning conference.

If this opportunity interests you, please review the details of the series in the informational guide.  A link to apply for the series is included in the informational guide.  The series will be able to support up to 20 participants.  Applications will be received through June 30, but once spaces are filled, a waiting list will be generated.

An optional informational session about this professional learning opportunity will also be held on June 15 from 3:30-4:30 for anyone who is interested in learning more and who has questions about the opportunity.   Register for the informational session using this link.

For additional information, please contact Lee Anne Larsen, Early Learning Team Coordinator at Maine DOE, leeann.larsen@maine.gov.

Leading Early Learning Partner Organizations

  • Maine Department of Education
  • Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network
  • Maine Principals Association
  • Maine Association for the Education of Young Children
  • UMaine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies