I had the opportunity last week to drop in at the eighth annual Maine Learning Technology Initiative Student Conference on the University of Maine campus. What I saw made the experience well worth the trip.
Commissioner’s Update – June 2, 2011
The listening tour has taken me hundreds of miles across our beautiful state, from Turner to Machias, from Limestone to Sanford. It’s allowed me to remove myself from Augusta one day at a time to see what’s going on in our classrooms — where the policies we set and budgets we craft have their greatest impact.
I have met dozens of dedicated teachers, administrators, students and parents during these trips, and the input they’ve provided me on how we can improve what we’re doing for our children has been invaluable. Thank you to all of those who took the time to share their thoughts with me.
While the listening tour might be coming to a close, that doesn’t mean I plan to stop listening. As always, don’t hesitate to contact me to let me know what you think about education in our state.
Using MLTI to learn through video
MLTI Student Conference
Mike Rodway discovered as a sixth grader that he learns best through filmmaking. Since then, Rodway’s filmmaking passion and production prowess have taken off.
From MLTI student to international programmer
MLTI Student Conference
When it comes to computer programming, Chris Jones has become a global citizen.
A junior at Oak Hill High School in Wales, Jones has collaborated with programmers from Egypt, Brazil and elsewhere on a variety of ventures.
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1,100-plus celebrate MLTI at UMaine
ORONO – When Hannah Potter returned from a summer camp that joined American teenagers with their Iraqi counterparts, she wanted her classmates at Yarmouth High School to share in the experience.
At Beatrice Rafferty, culture is curriculum
PLEASANT POINT RESERVATION – The students at Beatrice Rafferty School take Passamaquoddy culture classes, learn the Passamaquoddy language and draw on the knowledge of community elders living on Pleasant Point Reservation.
It’s part of the 110-student school’s efforts to offer its students not only a traditional academic education, but an educational experience that incorporates the culture that surrounds them.
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Machias school specializes in hands-on learning
MACHIAS – Third graders at Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School recently sampled cow tongue, made hand-dipped candles and fashioned a game using paper cups, pencils, string and wooden balls.
They worked with their art teacher to create silhouettes of themselves and dress them in pioneer-era styles.
It was all part of a hands-on unit designed to teach students a bit about the life of the American pioneer.
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Talent pool nominations due June 10
The Department of Education is on the lookout for educators new to the profession who inspire their students and have strong leadership potential.
Those teachers and building principals are eligible for membership in the Maine Educator Talent Pool, but the Department needs nominations from the field before they can join.
Year End Staff/Student Reporting Requirements
ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER: 41
POLICY CODE: JK
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Commissioner’s Update – May 26, 2011
The House and Senate are still debating the two-year budget that will determine once and for all the amount of state funding headed for your districts for the 2011-12 year. On top of that, the fate of legislation dealing with school district reorganization, a standards-based diploma and charter schools is in the hands of the same lawmakers. For now, we sit tight to see what comes out of the legislative process.
While we wait, there’s plenty going on outside of the State House.
Today, for example, we have the chance to see more than 1,000 middle- and high-school students actively engaged in learning the way many of them learn best — digitally — at the eighth annual Maine Learning Technology Initiative student conference. I stopped there on my way back from Washington County and was blown away by the quality of the student presentations.
And in this week’s Commissioner’s Update, we bring you a streamlined Calendar of Reporting Requirements that, hopefully, makes it easier to keep track of some of your administrative work. Please let us know what you think.
