Press Release: 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year State Finalists Announced

Four Maine teachers were announced today as the State Finalists for the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year program. Second-grade teacher Joshua Chard from Cumberland County, sixth-grade writing and social studies teacher Edith Berger from Lincoln County, fifth-grade science teacher Lacey Todd from Oxford County, and high school science teacher Colleen Maker from Washington County were all selected to move forward in the Teacher of the Year process and were chosen from the 2023 Maine County Teachers of the Year.

“Colleen, Edith, Joshua, and Lacey are all extraordinary educators who care deeply about their students, schools, and communities. They lift up everyone around them, are passionate about their profession, and are true champions of all students and schools in Maine. These four finalists represent the best qualities of Maine’s amazing educators, and I congratulate them on this very well-deserved honor,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.

One of the four State Finalists will be named the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year, an honor awarded each year to one teacher in Maine. The announcement will be in October after the final stages of the selection process are complete. Maine’s Teacher of the Year serves as an advocate for the teaching profession, Maine schools, and students, and represents Maine in the National Teacher of the Year program.

A member of their community nominated each educator for their exemplary service in education and dedication to their students. They were selected by a distinguished panel of teachers, principals, and business community members from a pool of hundreds of other nominated teachers in their communities. The Maine Department of Education, Educate Maine, the Maine State Board of Education, and the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association made the announcement about the finalists.

“Maine is fortunate to have so many outstanding educators working to ensure that every learner has what they need to be successful,” said Dr. Jason Judd, Executive Director of Educate Maine. “These state finalists are great examples of all the dynamic and versatile teaching that happens each day in our Maine classrooms. Congratulations to them and their districts. We look forward to working with them as they continue their journey as teacher leaders and ambassadors for the profession.”

“Our teaching workforce drives the quality of our schools and education system here in Maine, and these state finalists exemplify the qualities we look for. They’re innovative, dedicated, and committed to ensuring all Maine learners receive a high quality and supportive education,” said Maine State Board of Education Chair Desjardins. “Congratulations to all!”

“Congratulations to these four wonderful teachers! The hard work, dedication, and love they put into all they do and the commitment they show to their communities, schools, and students is inspiring,” said Matt Bernstein, 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year. “I am grateful to these four educators for representing the incredible work that happens in classrooms and schools all over Maine. I am tremendously proud of them. It is an honor to know them and learn from them.”

“Maine educators support their students, families, and communities with professionalism, compassion, and commitment,” said Heather Whitaker, 2020 Maine Teacher of the Year and President of the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association (MCSTOYA). “Our finalists, who come from all across the state, are leaders in this work. We look forward to learning from their expertise as we work together in our shared commitment to Maine public education.”

More information on the State Finalists and the Maine Teacher of the Year program:

Joshua Chard
East End Community School, Portland
2023 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year

“Teachers across our state do amazing things in their classrooms every day. Being a finalist for Maine Teacher of the Year provides me with a platform to share and celebrate the incredible work happening in Portland Public Schools and in schools all across Maine. I am humbled and proud to stand among such amazing professionals.”

2023 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard is a second and third-grade looping teacher at East End Community School and the drama director at Deering High School in Portland, Maine. His approach to designing and implementing curriculum for young learners always starts through a culturally responsive lens. Joyful relationships are at the heart of everything Chard does in his classroom and he is inspired every day by the honor of lifting up and celebrating his diverse learners. Chard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in theater from the University of Southern Maine, a Master of Science degree in Education with a K-6 Literacy focus from the University of New England, and a Certificate in K-6 Standards Based Mathematics from The American College of Education. He is also certified as a K-12 teacher of English to speakers of other languages. During his 31-year career, he has been an educational technician, has taught fourth and fifth grade, and has been an instructional coach with a focus on mathematics. Chard is proud to teach in two of the most culturally diverse schools north of Boston, having passionately dedicated his entire career to working in high-needs, urban schools, and he is excited to have a platform to share the amazing work that is happening there. Outside of school, Chard can be found participating in local theater as an actor and director and exploring Maine’s beaches and lighthouses with his husband and their grandsons.

Edith Berger
Miller School, Waldoboro
2023 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year 

“Being a part of the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year program is an opportunity to lift the voices and amplify the experiences of all teachers in Maine and beyond. My school, administration, colleagues, and district have supported me in my growth as a teacher leader and I owe the same to others in education no matter where they teach.”

Edith Berger is a teacher of writing and social studies in 6th grade at Miller School in Waldoboro, Maine, RSU 40. Berger has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with concentrations in art and architectural history and psychology from Ithaca College and a Masters of Education in Literacy: Writing and the Teaching of Writing from the University of Maine, Orono. She is the 2023 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year. A 2013 Fellow of the Maine Writing Project, her poetry and essays have been published in several anthologies. Berger considers mentoring her mission in life. She is especially passionate about using mentoring to help other teachers integrate civics into their classrooms. Berger feels that sharing excitement, knowledge and strengths with each other benefits teachers across all grade levels and content areas. By explicitly teaching and embedding the traits of good citizenship across the curriculum, she believes children will grow up to respect the rights and beliefs of others and contribute to a civil society. Whether presenting at an international literacy conference about teachers teaching teachers, mentoring new teachers and graduate students in their craft and leadership, or representing social studies in her district and state, Berger demonstrates her commitment to the profession of teaching as well as to the subject of social studies. When not at school or doing other “teachery” things, Berger can be found writing in a noisy coffee shop, reading history geek nonfiction or baking goodies she shouldn’t eat to satisfy her husband’s sweet tooth.

Lacey Todd
Mountain Valley Middle School, Mexico
2023 Oxford County Teacher of the Year  

“The Teacher of the Year program has provided me with an opportunity to recognize and honor those who have supported my journey in education. This award represents the hard work and dedication of my teaching team, who support and challenge me every day; my husband, who spends his evenings and weekends working in my classroom; and my parents, who made countless sacrifices to ensure my success as a first-generation college student.”

Lacey Todd is a fifth-grade science teacher at Mountain Valley Middle School in Mexico, Maine. Todd earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Farmington, Master of Education in Inclusion Education and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Literacy K-12 from the University of New England, Education Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Walden University, and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Todd grew up in Oxford County, where she continues to live and teach, which is why she takes great pride in being named the 2023 Oxford County Teacher of the Year. Todd is a Maine Science Teachers Association board member, completed a three-year term on the Maine Professional Standards Board, and was selected as a mentor for the national Diversity in STEM Education Summit in 2020 and 2023. She is also a Next Generation Science eXemplar facilitator and advocates for the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards at all grade levels, especially elementary. Todd is a teacher leader in her district, serving on several committees, including Staff Council, Technology, Certification, and Contract Negotiation, and is a mentor for new and pre-service teachers. Todd is especially passionate about making science education engaging and accessible to all students and regularly seeks out professional learning opportunities that promote collaboration, authentic learning experiences, and inclusion. When she’s not teaching or tending to her menagerie of class pets, you can find her camping or exploring the Maine woods with her husband and their golden retriever, Ruby.

Colleen Maker
Washington Academy, East Machias
2023 Washington County Teacher of the Year 

“It’s an honor to represent Washington Academy and Washington County in the Maine Teacher of the Year Program, and I’m thankful to my students, colleagues, administrators, community partners, family, and husband, Joshua, for fueling and nurturing my passion and love for teaching. Being part of a program that celebrates teachers across Maine is truly exciting, especially in a state where incredible things are unfolding in our classrooms and communities.”

Colleen Maker teaches biology and marine biology at Washington Academy in East Machias, Maine. Maker has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Machias. Maker is the 2023 Washington County Teacher of the Year. Maker’s pedagogy revolves around experiential learning and emphasizes student engagement through hands-on experiences and community partnerships. She integrates the curriculum with real-world applications, fostering lifelong learners who are productive community members and responsible stewards of their environment. She creates student leadership opportunities by advising homeroom, student council, science club, and sustainability club. As a member of the Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee, she collaborates with colleagues to develop and implement initiatives that foster a safe and accepting environment for all. Her commitment to creating a sense of belonging is evident in her efforts to ensure everyone feels welcomed and valued.

Maker seeks opportunities to engage with other science educators and is a member of the Connected Learning Ecosystems cohort sponsored by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. She was the 2022 recipient of the prestigious University of Maine Volunteer Pen Award for her dedication to the Washington Academy Community Garden, which donates all produce to the Machias Food Pantry. Maker is passionate about fighting food insecurity in her community and provides opportunities for students to volunteer by caring for the garden, participating in gleaning initiatives, and supporting personal care share drives. While not teaching, Maker cherishes time with her family camping, playing board games, reading, and exploring beaches.

The Maine Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year program is administered through a unique partnership with Educate Maine, the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association (MCSTOYA) and the Maine State Board of Education. Funding for the program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River, Geiger, Hannaford, Maine Lottery, Pratt and Whitney, the Silvernail Family, and Unum.

For more information about the Maine County Teacher of the Year Program and to see a list of County Teachers of the Year, and Maine Teachers of the Year, visit http://www.mainetoy.org.

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Maine DOE RREV Team Hosts Second Annual Coaches Summit

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV ) initiative is a U.S. DOE grant that provides federal funds to Maine’s educators, allowing for innovative, integrative learning opportunities to be incorporated into curriculums. Supported by the Office of Innovation at the Maine DOE, the RREV grant has been implemented for the past two years. At each RREV awardee school, the pilot implementation process is overseen by a RREV coach, who offers guidance and support to the pilot teams. This summer, these coaches met for a two-day Coaches Summit, and this is what they learned.

One year ago, the RREV coaches met for the first annual coaches summit, establishing it as a place to introduce the coaching framework – provided by thought partners at the Comprehensive Center. The coaches summit acted as a place for coaches to connect, and to introduce new coaches to the coaching process. In the latest meeting, these coaches had lived the framework for a year, and came together to share their experiences and learn from both the RREV team and each other. The goal of the first coaches summit was to understand the coaching framework, but this year the RREV team aimed to deepen their understanding of the art of coaching for the coming year.

In the past year, the focus for coaches was centered around building the habit of meeting with their teams. Within this regular connection, coaches utilized the structure of the pre-established coaching framework – consisting of 6 steps to incorporate into their pilot interactions. The first step of the coaching framework is centered around understanding the pilot, the second applies a logic model, and the third analyzes the data. The final steps are focused on sustainability, as the fourth strengthens the innovation, the fifth facilitates stakeholder engagement, and the sixth supports planning for growth and sustainability. These steps offer guidance to coaches, and ensure that pilot schools are meeting all of the components for a successful implementation process.

At the coaches summit, the first day was structured around a reflection on the ‘what’ of coaching, with the second day focused on the ‘how’, or ‘art’ of coaching. The purpose of this summit was to serve as professional development, as well as a time for coaches to engage in collaborative brainstorming. On day one, coaches were able to reflect on their experience through a journey map, which outlined the steps of the coaching framework, and allowed coaches to rate their level of comfort with each step. They also learned about a variety of tools to support innovation teams such as logic models, retrospectives, and more. On the second day, coaches engaged in scenarios that might arise during the implementation process. They brainstormed and discussed how they could support their pilot teams through these scenarios, and received guidance from the RREV team surrounding this process.

In the coming year, the coaches will use their knowledge from the coaches summit, as well as their coaching experience thus far, to aid RREV awardee schools as they continue to implement their pilot and focus on the sustainability of the pilot’s impact. As the coaches look forward to this next year, they are well equipped to evolve and refine the coaching process, with a shifted focus towards the ‘art’ of coaching, rather than the ‘what’ of coaching. In the years following, the coaching process utilized with the RREV initiative will be further explored, to aid in ongoing and future initiatives.

Maine DOE Update – August 18, 2023

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Webinar: SY 23-24 Enrollment – August 29, 2023

Join the Maine Department of Education (DOE Data Team for a webinar about entering student enrollments for 2023-2024. All students have been exited from Synergy and must be reenrolled for the new school year, this webinar will review the procedure for enrolling students manually and via uploads to State Synergy. | More

Graduation Report Due August 30, 2023

Graduation reporting is due on August 30th by midnight. Synergy is now in the 2023-2024 School Year, which has locked all 2022-2023 student data. If updates to 22-23 exit codes need to be made for graduating students, please email MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896. | More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Press Release: Mills Administration Announces Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan Initiative to Expand Educator Apprenticeships in Maine Schools

The Mills Administration announced today a new initiative to help Maine schools recruit, train, and retain educators through pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs. The initiative, funded in part by Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, is part of a larger overall effort by the Mills Administration to connect employers with a skilled workforce and workers with career opportunities. The initiative was unveiled during a visit to the Gorham School District by Commissioner of Labor Laura Fortman and Deputy Commissioner of Education Dan Chuhta. | More

Hundreds of Maine Educators Gather in Augusta for 2023 Maine Educator Summit

Educators and school/district staff from across Maine gathered at the Augusta Civic Center recently to attend the second annual Maine Educator Summit. Hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE), the 2023 Summit offered more than 130 professional learning opportunities and workshops across four days, with topics including school safety, project-based learning, computer science education, student well-being, outdoor education, interdisciplinary instruction, and more. Doubling the previous year’s registration numbers, more than 600 educators attended the Summit which was themed Inspiration, Innovation, and Inclusion. | More

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. | More

Share Your Good News! Maine DOE Seeking to Highlight ESSER Federal Emergency Relief Funding Projects

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is looking to share stories of school administrative units (SAUs) using Federal Emergency Relief Funding to positively impact their students and school communities. | More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

Lamoine Students First Middle School Students from Maine to Compete at National SkillsUSA Competition in Atlanta

In June, three students from Lamoine Consolidated School’s Team Engineering Challenge team made history by being the first middle school team to go to Atlanta, Georgia to compete at the National Leadership and SkillsUSA Conference. Benjamin Baldridge, Ian Frost, and Jordan Chan fundraised over $10,000 to attend the weeklong conference and compete in the world’s largest skill competition after winning gold at the State Championships in Bangor back in March. | More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

What Really Works in Education 2023 Conference: High Leverage Practices & Collaboration for Inclusive Classrooms

Are you looking for strategies, tips, and practical techniques around high-leverage instructional practices and collaboration that work with diverse learners to create Inclusive Classrooms? This conference is for you and your team! For the first time ever, the popular What Really Works in Education conference is coming to Maine! This year’s conference, hosted by the Maine Department of Education’s Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education, will engage learners around high-leverage practices by local, national, and international experts. | More

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. | More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

We Are Hiring: CDS/AmeriCorps First4 Partnership Member Positions

The Maine Department of Education is recruiting 17 AmeriCorps members to serve and support children with disabilities with building social-emotional skills and school readiness for children enrolled in CDS preschools across the state. The investment in members will not only serve to ensure positive preschool experiences and improve child outcomes for those children, this opportunity will also provide important, dynamic training, 1:1 mentoring, and experience for each volunteer to utilize toward certification in the educational field. | More

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

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

Webinar: SY 23-24 Enrollment – August 29, 2023

This webinar will be recorded and posted to the Maine 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 Webinars page of the Helpdesk Website.

Please note that if this webinar is canceled there will be a notice posted on the Helpdesk Website at the top of the page.

Synergy Enrollment Webinar:

August 29th at 10:0 am – Join the Live event here

For questions about data reporting webinars please contact Alexandra.Cookson@maine.gov. For technical assistance with data management, contact the Help Desk at MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or 207-624-6896

Graduation Report Due August 30, 2023

Graduation reporting is due on August 30th by midnight. Synergy is now in the 2023-2024 School Year, which has locked all 2022-2023 student data. If updates to 22-23 exit codes need to be made for graduating students, please email MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896.

Resources:

For technical assistance with data management, contact the Help Desk at MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or 207-624-6896

We Are Hiring: CDS/AmeriCorps First4 Partnership Member Positions

_______________________________________

Position Title: CDS/AmeriCorps First4 Partnership Member
Location of position: CDS Preschools at 9 CDS sites
Terms: 30 weeks at 23+ hours per week (1200 hr. members), 17 weeks at13 hours per eek (675 hr. members)
Living Allowance: $1200-$1900/mo.
Incentives: Training/PD toward Ed. Tech or 282 Certification funded and provided

About and/or mission statement: CDS/AmeriCorps First 4 Partnership will recruit, train and empower 17 AmeriCorps members to serve and support children with disabilities with building social emotional skills and school readiness children enrolled in CDS preschools across the state. The investment in members will not only serve to ensure positive preschool experiences and improve child outcomes for those children, this opportunity will also provide important, dynamic training, 1:1 mentoring and experience for each volunteer to utilize toward certification in the educational field.

Goals: CDS preschools serve children ages 3-5 with varying abilities and disabilities and are currently experiencing one of the most challenging times with staffing shortages and increasing numbers of students enrolling with social emotional and school readiness deficits post-pandemic that need support. Studies show that the early years of a child’s education are the most important for learning and development and all early learners deserve the opportunity and foundation that positive preschool experiences with ample supports can offer to thrive in their future educational years. The CDS/AmeriCorps Partnership will provide those needed added supports and service, building and increasing social emotional skills, resiliency, and school readiness to improve upon child outcomes and also providing volunteers with dynamic experience including trainings and 1:1 mentoring to empower them to meet the needs of students now and in the future.

Position Overview: Members offer direct service and supports to CDS children and preschool classrooms. They receive professional training and 1:1 mentoring with a classroom teacher in evidence-based special education and early childhood education practices including curriculum, data collection and analysis, and social-emotional learning. Members will also participate in community efforts for recruitment and service.

Service activities:

provide direct support to children with disabilities in Child Development Services Preschool classrooms
build strong relationships & secure attachments with the children, which we know is vital for resilience & lifelong success
receive training to better understand special education policies and practices including understanding IEP and goals training, trauma-informed teaching & social-emotional development
collaborate with a team of like-minded people eager to impact children’s futures

Skills Required:

Ability to work with a team and interest in serving children with disabilities
Strong organizational skills and utilization of a database to manage trainings and service
Experience in community-based networking
Strong communication skills
Strong problem solving skills, adaptability

Apply: Jacquelyn.N.Hersom@maine.gov or https://serviceyear.org/MaineDOE

19 Elkins Lane, Room 105, 105 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0105 Phone: (207) 624-7792 • Email: Service.Commission@maine.gov • http://www.VolunteerMaine.gov EXAMPLE 2 – AYCC AmeriCorps Mentoring Program

Hundreds of Maine Educators Gather in Augusta for 2023 Maine Educator Summit

Beyond professional learning, the Summit also gave educators and school and district staff the opportunity to connect with and learn from each other while building a network and community of Maine’s Education Workforce.

“I feel like this is a place where you would learn a lot of stuff that [may be] different from what you already know,” one social studies teacher told WABI 5. The teacher went on to say that he was able to attend workshops and learn more about topics that were not strictly social studies including social emotional learning and inclusion.

Educators and school/district staff who attended sessions at the summit had the opportunity to fill out a survey to receive contact hours. The survey was completed more than 2,000 times by people attending sessions throughout the event.

Keynote addresses were delivered by Maine Commissioner of Education Pender Makin, 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year Matt Bernstein, and 2015 National Teacher of the Year Dr. Shanna Peeples. An additional lunchtime presentation included recognition of Maine’s 2023 finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) and the 2023 Maine History Teacher of the Year. Live and Work in Maine, a partner in statewide efforts to recruit and retain Maine’s education workforce, also attended the event providing t-shirt to attendees and to capture interviews for a campaign that aims to recruit people to work in Maine schools and districts.
Check out a video highlight from the four-day event:

Following the second official Summit, the Maine DOE looks forward to continuing to assist educators and school/district staff during the school year including offering a number of professional learning and training opportunities, in addition to refining and planning next year’s annual Maine Educator Summit.

The Maine Department of Education’s 2023 Summit was supported and funded by the American Rescue Plan funds received from the U.S. Department of Education. For more information about the 2023 Educator Summit, visit our website.

Press Release: Mills Administration Announces Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan Initiative to Expand Educator Apprenticeships in Maine Schools

The Mills Administration announced today a new initiative to help Maine schools recruit, train, and retain educators through pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.

The initiative, funded in part by Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, is part of a larger overall effort by the Mills Administration to connect employers with a skilled workforce and workers with career opportunities. The initiative was unveiled during a visit to the Gorham School District by Commissioner of Labor Laura Fortman and Deputy Commissioner of Education Dan Chuhta.

Under the initiative, schools and other education and community-related organizations can apply for competitive funding, with awards of up to $250,000 to begin local educator pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs to help address Maine’s educator workforce shortage.

“As the daughter of a longtime public school teacher, I deeply and personally understand the lifelong impact that teachers have on their students, schools, and communities,” said Governor Janet Mills. “A teacher can make all the difference in the life of a student, and we should do what we can to ensure that those who want to advance in the teaching profession have the opportunity to do so. These apprenticeship programs are important to help educators take the next step in their careers. Using funding from my Jobs Plan, we will help Maine schools find the teachers they need and support educators on the path to fulfilling careers as they make a difference in the lives of our children.”

The initiative expands a program launched last year at Washington County Community College and the Gorham School District. The Gorham program – supported by the Maine Department of Labor and the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce – partners with Southern Maine Community College and the University of Southern Maine to provide classroom training to current education technicians from multiple schools in Cumberland and York counties. These apprentices work in the classrooms during the school day while they advance their career to become certified Education Technicians II, creating a pathway to continue their education and become certified teachers.

The program was created after the Maine Department of Education last year released its Teach Maine plan, in partnership with educators and stakeholders, to bolster the teacher workforce through innovative recruitment and retention strategies, including programs like apprenticeships. With encouragement from the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor, Maine joined several other states in launching apprenticeships in educator occupations with new programs at Washington County Community College and the Gorham School District.

“The Maine Department of Labor works with employers to fulfill their workforce needs and works to connect Maine’s people to high quality jobs. One way that we do this is through mutually beneficial registered apprenticeships,” said Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor. “Registered Apprenticeship is an excellent training model for schools to use, as it supports those already working in Maine’s schools to advance down the path of becoming a certified teacher, while continuing to earn an income.”

“The Maine Department of Education is committed to ensuring that everyone who wants to be a teacher in Maine has a pathway into the profession and is supported in the classroom. Teacher apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships offer a meaningful pathway to recruit, prepare, and support aspiring educators and these programs are aligned to the strategies embedded in our Teach Maine plan to build a robust teacher workforce in our state. We are excited to partner with the Department of Labor to invest in pilot programs that will lead to an effective teacher apprenticeship model for Maine,” said Pender Makin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education.

“The Maine Education Association is committed to quality public education for our students and during a time when we have many open positions across the state we need to focus on innovative solutions to attract and retain the best into the profession. While increasing educator pay is crucial, teacher apprenticeship grants can also help show Maine is ready to invest in both the aspirations of our aspiring educators and the growth of our state. Together, we can cultivate a robust teacher workforce and pave the way for generations of students to thrive,” said Grace Leavitt, President of the Maine Education Association.

“As Maine faces a critical shortage of educators, these programs will provide aspiring educators with valuable hands-on experience in real classroom settings. This practical exposure allows aspiring educators to apply theoretical knowledge and develop practical teaching skills under the guidance of experienced mentors. These programs will play a crucial role in preparing new teachers for the challenges and demands of the classroom, bridge the gap between theory and practice, foster skill development, and contribute to the overall improvement of education systems, said Eileen King, Executive Director of the Maine School Superintendents Association.

“The Educator Apprentice Program has been fundamental in many ways,” said Kathy Dol, a participant in Gorham’s educator apprenticeship program. “The structure of this program, relative to the small class size and expectations, allows for achievable success that has been nothing short of a welcome surprise. You can be sure this program will fit your extended educational goals. Education is a continuous area that allows educators to add to our toolbox that is never filled. That what I gain out of this apprentice program, and I thoroughly enjoy that.”

The expansion of teacher apprenticeship programs is supported by $600,000 in Federal funding, including $100,000 through the Governor’s Jobs Plan and $500,000 through U.S. Department of Labor’s State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity, and Innovation (SAEEI) Grant. Using these grants, schools can partner with Maine Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program to pilot new educator apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.

The number and size of grant awards will depend on the number of proposals received, anticipated number of apprentices served, and available funds. Interested applicants can find more information here. Proposals are due September 25, 2023.

This grant funding opportunity builds on the investment of $12.3 million awarded to expand apprenticeship through the Governor’s Jobs Plan and other Federal funds. The State’s Registered Apprenticeship Program currently has 1,292 active apprentices and 142 registered sponsors, representing 261 participating businesses in Maine.

Apprentices in Maine who completed their program in the last two years increased their wages, on average, by nearly 40 percent. Nationally, 94 percent of apprentices continue their employment with their apprenticeship sponsoring business once their training is complete.

The Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan is the Governor’s plan, approved by the Legislature, to invest nearly $1 billion in Federal American Rescue Plan funds to improve the lives of Maine people and families, help businesses, create good-paying jobs, and build an economy poised for future prosperity.

Since the Jobs Plan took effect in October 2021, the Mills Administration has delivered direct economic relief to nearly 1,000 Maine small businesses, supported more than 100 infrastructure projects around the state to create jobs and revitalize communities, and invested in workforce programs estimated to offer apprenticeship, career and education advancement, and job training opportunities to 22,000 Maine people.

For more about Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, visit maine.gov/jobsplan. For more about Maine’s apprenticeship program, please visit here.

The Maine Educational Technology Directors Association Launches New Mentorship Program

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.