Category: Professional Development

Registration Open for 2025 Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) Winter Workshop

Maine educators are invited to register for the 2025 Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) Winter Workshop, hosted by Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG). This event will take place on February 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor and is appropriate for a range of backgrounds – from experienced ELO facilitators who are seeking to refine their approach to educators new to this innovative curriculum delivery method who are interested in learning more.

ELOs are recognized in Maine statute as an educational pathway offering students personalized and hands-on learning experiences that connect academic standards with real-world opportunities. The Winter Workshop is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to create or enhance ELOs to better support student success.

Highlights of this workshop include:

  • Interactive Sessions: Dive into microlearning, application activities, and guided work sessions tailored to specific needs.
  • Peer Collaboration: Connect with fellow educators and ELO experts to share best practices and strategies.
  • Practical Takeaways: Learn how to align ELOs with state learning standards, integrate group-based approaches, and leverage the ELO Learning Management System on Canvas.
  • Student Voices: Hear firsthand from Maine students about the transformative impact of ELOs on their learning journeys.

Thanks to funding provided by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s Maine Career Exploration Program, registration and food costs for participants are fully covered by JMG. Attendees will also receive a certificate for five contact hours, applicable toward educator recertification.

With spaces filling quickly, now is the time for educators to secure a spot. Please register here.

For more information, check out the official event flyer. Please contact JMG’s ELO Coach Shayna Webber at swebber@jmg.org with any questions.

Maine DOE and DHHS to Host Annual Foster Care Points of Contact Training on January 30

The Annual Foster Care Points of Contact (POC) training for school administrative units (SAUs) is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, at 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. Hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), this event will bring together the foster care POCs from individual SAUs, as well as regional foster care POCs from the OCFS.

The purpose of this yearly training is to review foster care provisions, to review the State of Maine Transportation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Maine DOE and DHHS, and to provide those working most closely with youth in foster care an opportunity to network with counterparts across the state who support students in foster care.

The training will include a formal presentation, followed by an opportunity for SAU foster care POCs to connect with OCFS foster care POCs (listed below) in small breakout groups where participants will engage in regional-level conversations to share updates, successes, and concerns.

DHHS POC Regions in Maine

OCFS Foster Care Points of Contact for Education​

More Information About Educational Protections for Children in Foster Care  

The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed on December 10, 2015, and amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). ESSA contains provisions related to protections for children in foster care and requires the Maine DOE and SAUs to collaborate with the OCFS to ensure educational stability for children in foster care. The goal of ESSA’s provisions is for children in foster care to experience minimal disruption in their education as a result of being placed in foster care and to receive the same opportunities to develop the necessary skills to be successful as children who are not in foster care.

Under ESSA, the Maine DOE and OCFS must work together to ensure that:

  • A child in foster care will enroll or remain enrolled in the child’s school of origin, unless a determination is made that it is not in the child’s best interest to attend that school.
  • If a determination is made that is not in the child’s best interest to remain in the school of origin, the child will immediately be enrolled in a new school, even if the child and/or his or her guardians are unable to produce records normally required for enrollment.
  • The child’s new school must immediately contact the school of origin to obtain relevant records.

Please consider joining the Director of the Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports, Julie Smyth, and DHHS Manager of Field Operations, Jill Hunter, for the ’24-’25 Foster Care Points of Contact Meeting on Thursday, January 30. You may register in advance for this meeting here. Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

For questions, please contact Julie Smyth at julie.a.smyth@maine.gov or 207-592-0949.

 

Registration Open for Maine Curriculum Leaders Association Conference

The Maine Curriculum Leaders Association (MCLA) is hosting a conference on Monday, April 7, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport. Registration is now open!

This conference, which has the theme of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for Leaders, is designed to provide curriculum leaders with meaningful opportunities for reflection and practical strategies for strategic planning. Participants will explore ways to strengthen systems and improve outcomes through a combination of engaging discussions, collaborative activities, and hands-on tools.

The conference keynote speaker is Katie Novak, Ed.D. Her biography is as follows:

“Katie Novak, Ed.D is an internationally renowned education consultant, author, graduate instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, and a former Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Massachusetts. With 20 years of experience in teaching and administration, an earned doctorate in curriculum and teaching, and fifteen published books, with over 280K books sold worldwide, Katie designs and presents workshops both nationally and internationally focusing on the implementation of inclusive practices, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and universally designed leadership. Novak’s work has impacted educators worldwide as her contributions and collaborations have built upon the foundation for an educational framework that is critical for student success.” (Novak Education, 2020)

For more information, please contact the Maine Curriculum Leaders Association at director@mainecla.org.

 

FREE Professional Learning Series: Building Linguistically-Responsive Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for Multilingual Learners

To support educators across Maine who work with multilingual learners with disabilities, the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (OSSIE) and Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) are collaborating to facilitate a six-session professional learning series entitled, “The Intersection of English Language Acquisition and Individualized Education Programs”.

Designed for Special Education teachers, Case Managers, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers, this professional learning community will foster collaboration and collective efficacy to address students’ linguistic, cultural, and academic strengths through the intersection of language acquisition and disability.

Participants will work toward developing linguistically-responsive Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) through the integration of Individual Language Acquisition Plans (ILAPs) for multilingual students.

Session topics include:

  • Foundational Knowledge: Legal Regulations, Civil Rights, and Data Overview
  • Collaboration and Integration of IEPs and Individual Language Acquisition Plans (ILAPs)
  • IEPs for Multilingual Learners: Section 3 Special Factors
  • Linguistically-Appropriate Goals, Services, and Accommodations
  • Test Participation Guidance and Accommodations

Each session will be artfully facilitated by Leora Byras, Education Specialist, Maine DOE OSSIE, and Melissa Frans, Teacher Leader Fellow for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities, Maine DOE OTL.

Two contact hours per session will be awarded to account for essential pre-work. Participants, including school and district teams, are encouraged to attend all six sessions and, upon completion, will receive a free anchor text: IEPs for ELs and Other Diverse Learners.

“With practical guidance and checklists, this book provides educators with research-based strategies and examples that empower them to write effective IEPs for K-12 EL learners.” (Corwin Publishers, 2017.)

Sessions will be held virtually from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on:

  • Tuesday, January 21, 2025
  • Thursday, February 27, 2025
  • Tuesday, March 18, 2025
  • Tuesday, April 29, 2025
  • Thursday, May 22, 2025
  • Tuesday, June 10, 2025

To register for this event, please use this registration link.

If you have any questions, please contact Leora Byras (Leora.Byras@maine.gov) or Jane Armstrong, Maine DOE ESOL State Specialist (Jane.Armstrong@maine.gov).

 

 

Save-the-Date for Maine School Safety & Transportation Conference

Please join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center for the first School Safety & Transportation Conference from March 10-12, 2025 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine.

This event will bring together educators, transportation professionals, safety experts, and policymakers to discuss and explore innovative strategies, best practices, and emerging technologies to improve school safety and transportation systems.

Why Attend?

  • Learn from leaders: Gain insights from keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions led by experts in school safety and transportation.
  • Network with peers: Connect with professionals and stakeholders from across Maine to share challenges, solutions, and success stories.

Who Should Attend?

This conference is designed for:

  • School and district administrators
  • School board members
  • Facility directors
  • Transportation directors and staff
  • School support staff (e.g., counselors, social workers, nurses, office staff, etc.)
  • Staff and team leadership
  • Safety and security personnel, including school safety specialists
  • Law enforcement and administrators
  • School resource officers
  • Juvenile community corrections officers
  • First responders and local/county EMAs

Please be on the lookout for upcoming communication regarding registration, which opens in mid-January. The first 150 attendees to register will receive a scholarship for registration, meals, and lodging. More information, including a full agenda, speaker lineup, and travel information, is also coming soon.

Let’s work together to create a culture of care and safety in our schools, as well as more efficient transportation systems for our students. We look forward to seeing you in March of 2025!

Rescheduled Webinar: Creative Connections – Showcasing Student Artwork in the Community

Discover practical strategies for displaying student art in public spaces to celebrate creativity and strengthen community ties. This engaging webinar, hosted by Maine Department of Education (DOE) Arts Integration Teacher Leader Fellow Joshua Chard, will explore ideas like partnering with local businesses, hosting gallery nights, creating murals, and using digital displays to highlight student talent.

Participants will benefit from:

  • Real-world examples and tips for successful implementation.
  • Interactive discussions to inspire innovative approaches.
  • A downloadable checklist for actionable insights.

This session is designed for educators, administrators, and community leaders seeking to promote youth creativity and engagement. Joshua Chard will be joined by special guest Emily Serway, a National Board Certified Art Educator, to share expertise and inspiration.

Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 Wednesday, February 27, 2025
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Location: Join online via Zoom here. (No preregistration is required.)

Bring student art into your community with confidence and creativity. Don’t miss this opportunity!

The Teacher Leader Fellow Program is part of the Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning. For further information, please contact Joshua Chard at joshua.chard@maine.gov.

 

Webinar: Discover the Power of Classroom Maker Spaces

Join Maine Department of Education (DOE) Arts Integration Teacher Leader Fellow Joshua Chard for a 45-minute webinar, designed to inspire and equip educators with tools to create dynamic classroom maker spaces. Explore how these spaces can spark creativity, foster critical thinking, and enhance student engagement.

You will learn:

  • Practical tips for setting up and organizing maker spaces, including budgeting, sourcing materials, and maintaining a safe and engaging environment.
  • Strategies to integrate maker projects into the curriculum across grade levels with hands-on, cross-curricular activities.
  • Best practices for classroom management, fostering collaboration, and assessing student work in maker-focused settings.

This session will conclude with a Q&A segment, offering personalized guidance, resources, and actionable next steps to bring these ideas to life in your classroom.

Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your classroom into a hub of innovation and creativity!

Date: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Time: 4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

Join the webinar via Zoom here. (There is no need to register in advance.)

The Teacher Leader Fellow Program is part of the Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning. For more information, please contact Joshua Chard at joshua.chard@maine.gov.

Webinar: Maine Civics Network – Join the Conversation!

Did you know that Maine has a Civics Network? Join Breanna Bellefontaine-Krupski, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Civics Teacher Leader Fellow, as she hosts the Maine Civics Network’s steering committee member Todd West for a webinar.

Todd will share updates about the important work the network is doing across the state, goals for growing the network, and details about an exciting professional development series launching this winter and spring.

If you’re interested in learning more about this organization, how to get involved, or how to sign up for the spring professional development sessions, we invite you to join us on Tuesday, January 7 at 4 p.m. via Zoom.

No pre-registration is required. Simply use this link to join the session.

The Teacher Leader Fellow Program is part of the Maine DOE Office of Teaching and Learning. For further information, please contact Breanna Bellefontaine-Krupski at breanna.krupski@maine.gov.

Afterhours Zoom Sessions Available for the Celebrating Rural Maine Project

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction team is excited to announce three Afterhours Sessions for the Celebrating Rural Maine project, presented in partnership with the National Council for History Education (NCHE). These interactive sessions will feature guest speakers and educators exploring three topics related to this year’s theme: Geography of the Place We Now Call Maine. These sessions are open to all Maine educators.

Event details:

  • January 9, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Bri Lolar, Maine DOE Wabanaki Specialist, discusses intellectual property and primary sources. Register here.
  • January 21, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Learn more about rural representation in primary sources with Dr. Deb Reid of the Henry Ford Museum and Dr. Pam Riney-Kehrberg of Iowa State University. Register here.
  • February 6, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Explore how primary sources can support and bridge content areas. Register here.

Who should attend: pre-K-12 educators and administrators, museum educators, and librarians

The Celebrating Rural Maine project is a free, three-part professional learning series designed to help rural educators explore Maine’s history through an interdisciplinary lens. By connecting history with broader disciplines, the program focuses on the Library of Congress’ rural interdisciplinary collections and other resources, situating Maine’s local stories within the larger human experience. Participants will receive support in designing and implementing community-connected projects that bring value to rural students and their communities.

This series includes online asynchronous, online synchronous, and site-based learning opportunities, all offered at no cost, providing a unique opportunity to deepen understanding of Maine’s past and future, while fostering meaningful connections between students and their rural communities.

The Interdisciplinary Instruction team is part of the Maine DOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning. For more information, please contact Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist Jaime Beal at jaime.beal@maine.gov or NCHE Program Manager Regina Holland at regina@ncheteach.org

This opportunity is funded through the Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources program and is presented in partnership with the National Council for History Education.

Maine DOE Announces Multilingual/Multicultural Connections Webinar Series

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is thrilled to announce the Multilingual/Multicultural Connections Webinar Series, a comprehensive professional learning opportunity designed to equip educators, administrators, and school administrative unit (SAU) leaders with strategies and resources to celebrate multiculturalism and expand multilingual pathways.

This series is part of the Maine DOE’s broader commitment to recognizing language and culture as essential assets in education. Attendees will learn practical steps to integrate world language instruction, embrace Indigenous and critical languages, and leverage international partnerships to create dynamic, globally-connected classrooms.

What to Expect

This five-part virtual series will equip participants with strategies to recognize language and culture as assets, build robust multilingual programs, and leverage global partnerships to enhance learning opportunities for Maine students.

Who Should Attend

This webinar series is open to:

  • Superintendents, principals, and SAU leaders seeking to enhance student outcomes through multilingual pathways.
  • Seal of Biliteracy coordinators, bilingual/multilingual directors and coordinators, bilingual/multilingual educators, and world language educators eager to access resources and international connections to strengthen their programs.
  • Educators and community partners committed to equity, cultural awareness, and global learning opportunities.

Why Multilingualism Matters

Multilingualism is more than an educational goal; it is a key driver of student success in a global economy. Students who master multiple languages develop critical thinking skills, cultural competence, and career readiness for a world that values communication and collaboration. By investing in language programs, Maine schools can position themselves as leaders in equity and global engagement.

When and How to Participate

The Multilingual/Multicultural Connections Webinar Series will be held virtually, making it accessible to participants statewide. The first session is scheduled for Monday, January 6. You may register using this link.

The full schedule for this series is as follows:

  • January 6, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
  • February 3, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
  • March 3, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
  • April 7, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.
  • May 5, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

Take the Next Step Toward Global Leadership

The Maine DOE invites you to participate in this innovative series and join the movement to celebrate multilingualism and multiculturalism in Maine schools. For more information, please contact Ayesha Hall, Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships, at ayesha.hall@maine.gov.