TeachWithTech Grant Allows for Enthusiastic, Independent Learning with Lego Sets at Chelsea Elementary School

(Pictured: Students in the Maker Space with Lego SPIKE kits and iPads, which were purchased through the Maine Department of Education’s TeachWithTech grant)

Students at Chelsea Elementary School were overjoyed at the sight of twenty new Lego sets as they walked into the classroom this year.

Through the Maine Department of Education’s TeachWithTech  grant, Chelsea Elementary School was able to receive twenty Lego SPIKE Essentials Kits. These Lego sets were accompanied by iPads, which were preloaded with the SPIKE app.

#TeachWithTech provides additional supplemental technology to schools that are part of Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI), to support the initiative to teach and learn with technology. The grant encourages school districts to think of how to create transformative learning experiences for students with technology.

Rosie Del Tejo Williamson (Learning Commons Teacher) and Helen Wright (Learning Commons Education Tech) hoped that students would be able to work independently but were available for assistance.

As soon as the students walked into the MakerSpace room, their excitement was palpable as soon as they and noticed the Lego and iPad setup. They immediately dove into exploration. Despite having no prior experience with the SPIKE app or Lego Spike Essentials, students confidently used coding to bring their Lego creations to life. When difficulties occurred, many students were adept at experimentation and troubleshooting, and many helped their peers. Williamson and Wright were impressed by the students’ confidence in this new situation, as well as their enthusiasm for learning in action.

6th grade students have the opportunity for leadership
6th grade and Pre-K students collaborate

Williamson and Wright are grateful that TeachWithTech allowed their students to have this transformative learning experience and hope to continue to use technology for engaging learning.

The #TeachWithTech grant is available to any school district that is a part of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative. Priority is given to applicants who focus on greatest student impact, serve socioeconomically disadvantaged districts, prioritize student populations traditionally underrepresented in technology, and demonstrate a commitment to pursuing high-quality teaching and learning through technology.

The next grant window will open in the Fall of 2024. Check TeachWithTech | Department of Education (maine.gov) for updates.

Seeking Applicants for Maine DOE Mobile Learning Program Director

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) seeks a passionate Educator and Curriculum Developer to join our dedicated educational team in the Office of Teaching and Learning. This one-year contracted position will be instrumental in advancing the state’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, well-rounded educational experience that supports every student’s academic, social, emotional, and physical development. This position will lead the Maine DOE’s mobile learning program that will work with teams within the Maine DOE and Maine educators to develop career-focused, interdisciplinary, project-based, and experiential learning experiences to share with classroom teachers.

Ideal candidates will be educators from any content background with a strong understanding of how to design real-world, interest- and career-focused learning experiences to teach the STEAM learning concepts.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design and Develop STEAM Lessons: Create innovative, hands-on STEAM lessons and activities that align with Maine’s educational standards, play-based pedagogy, and the whole child framework. These lessons should be career-focused and interdisciplinary, integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics concepts.
  • Collaborate with Educators: Work closely with classroom educators to co-facilitate STEAM lessons, ensuring they are tailored to meet the diverse needs of all students. Provide professional development and training for teachers to implement STEAM activities in their classrooms effectively.
  • Develop Assessment Tools: Create and utilize assessment tools and strategies to measure student engagement, understanding, and growth. Collect and analyze data to evaluate the effectiveness of STEAM lessons and programs.
  • Foster a Collaborative Environment: Encourage a collaborative atmosphere that promotes exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving among teachers and students. Implement instructional practices that enhance critical thinking, creativity, communication, and innovation.
  • Support Whole Child Development: Support students’ social-emotional development by creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. Encourage student participation and curiosity in STEAM subjects through hands-on, experiential learning.
  • Engage with Community: Engage with parents, guardians, and the broader community to promote the importance of STEAM education and the whole child framework. Organize and participate in events, workshops, and presentations to showcase student projects and achievements.
  • Stay Current with Trends: Stay abreast of the latest research and trends in STEAM education and the whole child approach to integrate best practices into the curriculum.

Qualifications:

  • Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Education, a STEAM-related field, or a related discipline (Master’s degree preferred). Teaching certification or relevant professional experience in STEAM education.
  • Understanding of Whole Student Framework: Strong understanding of the whole student framework and its application in educational settings. Experience in curriculum development and instructional design, particularly in STEAM subjects.
  • Skills: Excellent communication, collaboration, and facilitation skills. Ability to inspire and engage students and educators in hands-on, experiential learning. Proficiency in using technology, multimedia, and digital tools to enhance and share learning experiences.

This is a unique opportunity to join the Maine Department of Education and contribute to a transformative educational initiative that prepares students for a dynamic future. If you are passionate about STEAM education and committed to the holistic development of every child, we encourage you to apply.

Salary: $120,000 from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. This position is eligible for remote work.

Access the application here. (Application deadline: June 27th, 2024)

Please contact Chief Teaching and Learning Officer, Beth Lambert, at beth.lambert@maine.gov with questions.

 

Media Release: Maine Department of Education Offers Educators Free Access to Evidence-Based Literacy Modules

Steps to Literacy Modules Build on Maine’s Extensive Efforts to Support Literacy Instruction

Augusta, ME—To support educators in providing evidence-based literacy instruction, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) announced that all K-5 educators have free access to high-quality literacy modules through June of 2025. Educators who complete the modules by August 23, 2024, will be eligible to receive a stipend for each completed module.

These literacy modules build on the work of the Maine DOE to support literacy instruction across Maine, including the $10 million in grant funding for schools to develop, expand, and enhance evidence-based core literacy instruction and targeted interventions for Maine students announced earlier this year.

“We’re excited to offer these modules at no cost to Maine educators. Educators can delve into evidence-backed literacy instruction topics at their own pace and choose the professional learning modules that best fit their needs,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.

The DOE has partnered with the AIM Institute© for Learning & Research to provide Maine educators with no-cost access to these modules. The AIM Steps to Literacy Modules, a unique offering available for individual or bundled learning, provides a wealth of benefits to educators. These fully asynchronous online courses delve into evidence-based literacy topics, such as phonological awareness, dyslexia, and multilingual English learners. Each module presents engaging learning opportunities in a “learn, practice, apply” format, allowing educators to progress at their own pace. With teaching techniques, videos, and printable resources, these modules not only enhance knowledge but also equip educators with practical strategies to implement in the classroom, making them a valuable resource for professional development.

These modules build on the Maine DOE’s efforts to strengthen literacy in Maine. In January, Governor Mills announced $10 million in grant funding for schools to develop, expand, and enhance evidence-based core literacy instruction and targeted interventions for Maine students. This grant, which many schools are already utilizing, provides Maine educators with funding to participate in evidence-based literacy-centered professional learning, internal instruction, review processes, and the means to purchase evidence-based literacy materials and train instructional coaches.

In 2022, the Maine DOE released Literacy for ME 2.0, a revamped state literacy plan grounded in research-based literacy practices and organized around key components central to building comprehensive literacy programs. The Maine DOE also provides interdisciplinary instructional programming and resources around literacy for pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade.

The Mills administration expanded the state’s partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, with 4,500 eligible Maine children currently receiving free, high-quality, age-appropriate books through the program. The Maine DOE recently announced a partnership with I’m Your Neighbor Books to provide Welcoming Libraries to 16 schools across Maine, with each library containing 60 books featuring stories of immigrant families and the diversity of America. To foster the love of reading, the Maine DOE also hosts the Read to ME Challenge every February to encourage adults to read aloud to children and Read to Ride Summer, a contest that qualifies students who read at least 500 minutes over the summer a chance to win one of 48 donated bikes and helmets.

The DOE has also created several literacy-related educator groups, for educators and education organizations across Maine to share and develop resources and guide the state’s literacy work, including the State Literacy Team, Maine Association for Improving Literacy (MAIL) Network, State Dyslexia Advisory Group, Screening Project & Dyslexia Plan, and the Higher Education Pre-Service Literacy Faculty Group. These groups also share information, facilitate text studies, and offer training related to dyslexia awareness, the Science of Reading, the neuroscience of the reading brain, systematic and evidence-based Tier I instruction to lower special education referral rates, support for striving readers, alignment and collaboration between general and special education for IDEA, and inclusive literacy instruction for students identified as having specific learning disabilities.

For further details or to register for the AIM Steps to Literacy Modules, please visit the  . Maine Educators who complete modules by August 23, 2024, will be eligible to receive a stipend of $25/hour per the number of contact hours awarded for each completed module.

This program was created with Federal Emergency Relief Funding and is a part of Maine’s Whole Student Pandemic Response. Please visit the Maine Department of Education website to learn more about Maine’s Whole Student Pandemic Response.

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Child Nutrition Programs Continue to Feed Children Beyond School Year with the Hot Lunch Summer Food Service Program and SUN Bucks

With the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maine public schools have long offered a nutritious breakfast and lunch meal program to thousands of children in Maine during the school year. In Maine, students have access to meals during the school day at no cost to them or their families. With summer around the corner, students can still access the meals they need through the Summer Food Service Program. This U.S. Department of Agriculture program operates at hundreds of sites across Maine.  

To find nearby summer meal sites, please visit Hot Lunch Summer | Department of Education (maine.gov), or text “Summer Meals” to (914) 342-7744.  Information will be available mid-June.  

“Hot Lunch Summer and SUN Bucks ensure that Maine children can continue to access the healthy and nutritious meals they rely on during the school year,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “No child should worry about going hungry when the school year ends, and we thank the schools and organizations that have stepped up to make the distribution of these meals possible.”

Hot Lunch Summer, Maine’s Summer Food Service Program is offered statewide in areas or at sites where more than 50 percent of the children are eligible for free or reduced meal benefits under the National School Lunch Program or where census track data supports the need. Free meals are provided to children 18 and younger at open meal sites. Eligible sponsoring organizations include schools, nonprofit residential summer camps, government agencies, and tax-exempt organizations including faith-based organizations. This year, rural meal sponsors may offer free meals to go to further assist in reaching children who are unable to access congregate meal programs.  

Maine also launched SUN Bucks this summer, which provides families $120.00 for each eligible school aged child to buy groceries when school is out in the summer.  Most families will receive this money at the end of June, but some later in the summer months. Families that did not receive the first benefit may submit an application after June 1, 2024, at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/applications-forms. 

To find nearby Summer Meal sites, please visit Hot Lunch Summer | Department of Education (maine.gov), or text “Summer Meals” to (914) 342-7744.  Information will be available mid-June.  

For more information about the Maine DOE’s Summer Food Service Program, contact kaitlin.fayle@maine.gov, call 592-4198 or visit https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/nutrition/programs/sfsp. 

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In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. 

Program information may be made available in languages other than English.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: 

(1)       mail: 

            U.S. Department of Agriculture
            Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
            1400 Independence Avenue, SW
            Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or 

(2)       fax: 

            (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 

(3)       email:
            program.intake@usda.gov 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. 

The Maine Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, religion, ancestry or national origin. 

Complaints of discrimination must be filed at the office of the Maine Human Rights Commission, 51 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0051. If you wish to file a discrimination complaint electronically, visit the Human Rights Commission website at https://www.maine.gov/mhrc/file/instructions and complete an intake questionnaire. Maine is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

 

Professional Development Conference For Rural Maine Educators

Island Readers & Writers (IRW) will host the Dear Teacher Conference in Bangor on October 10 and 11, 2024, for educators and librarians working with students in grades Pre–K through 8.

Registration is open for the Island Readers & Writers for the Dear Teacher 2024 professional development conference, which will be held at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on October 10 and 11, 2024. 

This year’s keynote speaker is Anna Crowley Redding, a children’s book author and Emmy-award-winning journalist. The conference will span two full days and allow participants to register for intensive (three-hour) workshops. Workshop content focuses on three major themes: writing and narrative, arts and humanities, and rural, place-based education.

This conference is designed for educators, principals, support staff, and school librarians working with students in grades pre–K through 8 in rural Maine schools, tiny schools, geographically isolated schools, and schools with multigrade classrooms. 

Last year’s debut Dear Teacher conference, held at the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono, ME, was hugely successful, with more than 100 attendees from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and New Brunswick, despite initially being displaced by the closure of the Hutchinson Center in Belfast, its original planned venue. 

“The Dear Teacher conference is an opportunity to uplift and celebrate educators and librarians in rural communities. We are delighted to bring them together to listen and learn.” —Jan Coates, Island Readers & Writers Executive Director

The Dear Teacher conference is supported by the Maine Humanities Council and others. 

 

Maine DOE Highlights Expanding Health Resource Access to Multilingual Families in Maine

In alignment with supporting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, new tools have been created for school nurses.  This newest project directly reflects the advocacy and care our Maine school nurses possess, further strengthening our public health infrastructure.

A sample welcome letter from the health office for any new family in a school community was created, which contains an annual health form and medication authorization form, as well as interview forms for asthma, diabetes, and seizures. These tools have been translated into Maine’s top nine languages and are now available on the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Coordinated School Health webpage entitled Sample Forms.

School nurses are part of welcoming new families into our schools and communities; therefore, this spring, the Maine DOE school nurse regional liaison Lori Huot, BSN, RN, Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN) extended a warm invitation to the nurses she serves in Cumberland and York County to attend the monthly office hours hosted by the Maine DOE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Specialist Jane Armstrong. This multidisciplinary collaboration uncovered the need for more health-centered, culturally responsive, readily available, and translated tools to provide equity through language access, resulting in these updated resources.

The Maine DOE extends a special thank you to the Maine school nurses who participated in this collaboration.

Maine DOE’s Office of Innovation and the Office of School and Student Support collaborate to host monthly ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) office hours. These sessions are open to all school personnel and aim to provide optimal support for ESOL educators and guidance on assisting multilingual learners and their families.

Maine continues to embrace and enroll multilingual students and families statewide, witnessing a 15% increase in student count from 2023 to 2024. Jane Armstrong, State ESOL Specialist, highlights that roughly 63% of Maine’s 206 school administrative units have enrolled multilingual learners.

For the latest data, please visit the  Multilingual Learner Data Dashboard.  The final ESOL office hours for School Year 2023-24 will be held on June 17, 2024, from 3:30-4:30pm and registration can be found here.

The Office of School and Student Supports has many resources for school staff to improve school services. Guidelines and Resources for School Health Services center on providing culturally responsive, evidence-based care that improves overall health.

Contact DOESchoolandStudentSupports@Maine.gov with any questions, comments, or needs.

 

Be a Part of Family Math Community of Practice

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking a total of 24 Elementary School educators to participate in a Family Math Community of Practice. This opportunity will provide valuable information and resources to bolster educators’ participation in the growing movement known as Family Math.

The National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement’s Center for Family Math, Erikson Institute’s Early Math Collaborative, and the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium’s Consortium for Engaging Families Across Maine are excited to partner together to offer the Family Math Community of Practice for K-5 teachers and other elementary school practitioners. The opportunity is based on the emerging movement to promote math activities within the context of family relationships and everyday life. The practices inherent in family math are designed to help children strengthen their math skills and develop a sense of confidence and enthusiasm in their math abilities. The movement empowers parents, organizations, and educators with knowledge, tools, and resources that help them feel excited about introducing and exploring mathematical concepts.

This Family Math Community of Practice is being offered at no cost to participants, has limited space, and is available for school-level educators, including K-5th grade classroom teachers, curriculum specialists, coaches, and school administrators. Learners must commit to participate in four 90-minute virtual sessions. The learning outcomes associated with this professional development opportunity include:

  • Gaining an understanding of Family Math – what it is, why it is important, and what it looks like;
  • Acquiring core competencies for engaging families in children’s math learning;
  • Adopting and sharing Family Math promising practices in K-5 classrooms and schools.

The Family Math Community of Practice will consist of two cohorts, and sessions will be held on the following dates in 2024 from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm ET:

Cohort 1 Cohort 2
Session 1 Tuesday, August 20 Thursday, August 22
Session 2 Tuesday, August 27 Thursday, August 29
Session 3 Tuesday, September 10 Thursday, September 12
Session 4 Tuesday, September 17 Thursday, September 19

Participating in a Family Math Community of Practice will qualify for 8 Contact hours through the Maine Department of Education (DOE).

Please share this registration link and encourage K-5th grade educators to register for the FMCOP by August 3, 2024. By August 10, 2024, participants will receive an email confirming whether they have been selected, along with a Zoom link and calendar invite. 

Feel free to reach out with any questions to Holly Kreider, Ed.D, Director, NAFSCE Center for Family Math kreiderh@nafsce.org or Melanie Junkins, Maine DOE Family Engagement and Cultural Responsiveness Specialist (melanie.junkins@maine.gov)

This exciting opportunity is being provided at NO COST with the support of the Consortium for Engaging Families Across Maine, funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Maine DOE Update – June 7, 2024

From the Maine Department of Education

Reporting Items

Due Soon: ESEA Demographics Report

The ESEA Demographics Report is an aggregation of students enrolled on 5/31* for participation in state assessments during the current assessment administration. This report includes student demographic categories for assessment and accountability purposes. |  More

Due Dates & Resources for Quarter End-of-Year Reports

Four end-of-year reports require certification in June and July. These reports aggregate data from the entire school year’s reporting timeframe. |  More

State Reporting Summer Training

Mark your calendars! Registration for the Data Summer Training is currently open! Trainings are scheduled at varying locations across the state from July 29th to August 1st and August 12th to August 15th. This year’s training will focus on reporting resource updates, guidance for data reporting best practices, and assistance with student enrollment. We look forward to providing this opportunity to meet with school administrative units to network and collaborate. |  More

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Maine DOE Introduces 7 Interns this Summer

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is welcoming seven new interns for the summer. The student interns, who will be working on a variety of teams at the Maine DOE, were selected for the Maine Government Summer Internship Program by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine. Maine DOE’s interns will spend the summer assisting with daily operations, projects, events, and other meaningful work while gaining knowledge, connections, and professional experience at the Maine DOE this summer. |  More

Maine Students Explore Postsecondary Life at the First Annual Transition Maine Youth Summit

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education held its first annual Transition Maine Youth Summit at Central Maine Community College on Thursday, May 30th. Students with disabilities from all over Maine had the chance to explore nearly two dozen career pathways and engage with professionals and peers about post-secondary life.|  More

Maine DOE Seeking Members for SEL4ME State Advisory Team

The Maine DOE is currently recruiting members for our SEL4ME State Advisory Team. As a critical partner in Maine’s education field, we invite you to serve in an advisory capacity to share your expertise. We will work to review SEL4ME modules, making informed improvements to the efficacy of this resource with updates to meet current knowledge about supportive SEL practices and cultural responsiveness. |  More

100 Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsors and Providers Attend Maine DOE Annual Training

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Child and Adult Care Food Program team recently hosted 100 of Maine’s child and adult care sponsors and providers for the CACFP Annual Training. The Child and Adult Care Food Program, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture administered by participating states, provides reimbursements for meals and snacks to eligible children and adults enrolled in care at participating child care centers, in-home daycares, and adult daycare centers. |  More

Maine Schools Sharing Success Stories

MADSEC Names 2024 Special Education Honorees of the Year

Every year, the Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC) announces Honorees of the Year, who are individuals who work in the field of Special Education within Maine schools.The Maine Department of Education (DOE) joins MADSEC in congratulating the 2023-24 awardees in addition to thanking all educators within the Special Education division. Congratulations to Angela, Kendra, Scott, and Erin, and read more about them below. |  More

Turner Elementary School Principal Shares How She Increased the Feeling of Safety at School

Working with the students is what Kristen Levesque, Principal of Turner Elementary School in MSAD 52, describes as the absolute best part of her job. However, she knows that to successfully reach students meaningfully at school, everyone in the building needs to feel safe. |  More

Bon Voyage! Bath Students Headed to Paris

Three students from Morse High School have won the 2024 French American Friendship Contest sponsored by The French Consulate in Boston. This esteemed competition, open to high school students studying French and their teachers across New England, is a testament to the enduring bond between France and the United States. |  More

Maine Employer Summit Engages Youth to Tackle Workforce Challenges

More than 500 employers and young people recently gathered at Bangor’s Cross Insurance Arena for the Maine Employer Summit. Hosted by the Maine Department of Labor and the Maine Department of Economic Development, the event provided a vital platform for employers seeking resources and solutions to pressing workforce challenges. Participants also had the opportunity to connect with young professionals, government agencies, State of Maine resources, and fellow business leaders to explore workforce opportunities.  |  More

| Submit your Maine School Success Story |

Professional Development, Training, and Events

Registration Now Open for Maine Department of Education 2024 Annual Summit

2024 Annual Summit Theme: Supporting the Whole Student and School Community. Registration is now open for the 2024 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Annual Summit held August 6th – 8th at the Augusta Civic Center. Sessions take place from 7 am to 5 pm each day. Breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee of $150 for all three days. This year’s event features an all-in-one events app, over 150 session options with contact hours, four engaging keynote speakers, in addition to several mini-summits and other training options available during the event – Register today! |  More

Leveling Up Literacy in Maine: Free Self-Paced Modules for Maine Educators this Summer

The Mane DOE is pleased to announce a free professional development opportunity for Maine educators working in Kindergarten–Grade 5 regular and special education settings. These self-paced, asynchronous, evidence-based literacy modules will be available to educators from June 12, 2024 to June 11, 2025. *Limited Time – Educator Stipends Available for Modules Completed Prior to August 23, 2024. |  More

Asynchronous Course: Introduction to the Question Formulation Technique

The Maine Department of Education (DOE)  Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is hosting two summer courses called Question, Reflect, Repeat: Introduction to the Question Formulation Technique. The Question Formulation Technique is a powerful strategy to help students and adults ask their own questions, advocate for themselves, and participate in decision-making processes. |  More

Celebrate Success, Foster Sustainability at the 2024 Maine ELO Summit!

Calling all Maine educators! Join your colleagues for the 2024 Maine ELO Summit, taking place on August 13th at the Brunswick Hotel. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Success, Fostering Sustainability,” promises an inspiring day filled with valuable insights and discussions on Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs). The summit is open to all Maine school personnel and supporting partners. Registration and meals are fully covered by JMG with support from the Maine Department of Education (DOE). |  More

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

As Maine elementary schools have added preschool programming and are promoting whole student approaches across the Pre-K -Grade 3 span, elementary principals have requested professional learning to support their work as educational leaders. The Maine Department of Education and several Maine educational organizations (listed below) have collaborated to design an exciting professional learning series to address identified needs and support professional growth. To date, the Leading Early Learning Fellowship series has supported three cohorts, one each year since 2021-22. We are pleased to announce that applications for the fourth cohort, 2024-25 school year, are now being accepted. |  More

No Cost Professional Learning Course: Visual Access to Mathematics Focused on Multilingual Learners

Grade 6 and 7 mathematics teachers in Maine are invited to register for a FREE professional learning course focused on visual representations to support mathematical problem solving and communication and led by Pam Buffington and Johannah Nikula from the Education Development Center. |  More

| Visit the Professional Development Calendar |

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities:

View current Maine Department of Education employment opportunities here

Leveling Up Literacy in Maine: Free Self-Paced Modules for Maine Educators this Summer

*Limited Time – Educator Stipends Available for Modules Completed Prior to August 23, 2024.

  • Are you a Maine educator seeking to better understand evidence-based literacy practices and how science can inform your ability to teach children to read and write?
  • Are you interested in engaging professional learning to build your expertise and support recertification requirements?
  • Does earning a stipend for completing professional learning appeal to you?
  • Would you like to engage in professional learning on your own time from the comfort of your home?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Literacy Module Opportunity may be a perfect fit.  The Maine DOE is pleased to announce a free professional development opportunity for Maine educators working in Kindergarten–Grade 5 regular and special education settings.  These self-paced, asynchronous, evidence-based literacy modules will be available to educators from June 12, 2024 to June 11, 2025.

The Maine DOE has contracted with AIM Institute© for Learning & Research to offer free access to AIM Steps to Literacy Modules at no cost to Maine Educators. AIM Steps to Literacy modules, which can be taken individually or in course bundles, are fully asynchronous online courses focused on a variety of evidence-based literacy topics. Each Steps to Literacy module provides teachers with engaging learning opportunities organized in a “learn, practice, apply” introductory cycle, and contains teaching techniques, videos, and printable resources to develop participants’ knowledge and their transfer of new techniques into classroom practice.  The available modules include:

  • Module 1: Overview of the Science of Reading (9 contact hours)
  • Module 2: Phonological Awareness (7 contact hours)
  • Module 3: Decoding & Spelling (7 contact hours)
  • Module 4: Vocabulary (4 contact hours)
  • Module 5: Language Comprehension & Written Expression (11 contact hours)
  • Module 6: Demystifying Dyslexia (3 contact hours)
  • Module 7: Growing Proficient Readers: Dr. Ehri’s Phases of Development (4 contact hours)
  • Module 8: Specialized Reading Knowledge Bundle: English Learners (10 contact hours)

Eligible educators must be employed in a Maine school and have a school email address. Participants may complete multiple modules, however it is only possible to sign up for one module at a time. Access to additional modules is not available until verified completion of the prior module. Educators wishing to bundle modules to earn micro-credentials from the AIM Institute© for Learning & Research and Credentials Unlimited will be required to pay any additional fees.

Maine educators who complete modules by midnight on August 23, 2024 will be eligible to receive a stipend of $25/hour per the number of contact hours awarded for each completed module.

There will be an informational session on June 11, 2024 from 4:00-5:00 to provide an overview of module content, form and function, registration, and the stipend process. Please register at this link.

For additional information and access to the module registration form, please visit the Maine DOE AIM Literacy Module landing page. If you have additional questions please contact Inclusive Education Literacy Specialist & Dyslexia Coordinator, Dee Saucier, danielle.m.saucier@maine.gov.

This opportunity was created with Federal Emergency Relief Funding and is a part of Maine’s Whole Student Pandemic Response. Please visit the Maine Department of Education website to learn more about Maine’s Whole Student Pandemic Response.

Registration Now Open for Maine Department of Education 2024 Annual Summit

2024 Annual Summit Theme: Supporting the Whole Student and School Community

Registration is now open for the 2024 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Annual Summit held August 6th – 8th at the Augusta Civic Center.  Sessions take place from 7 am to 5 pm each day. Breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee of $150 for all three days.  This year’s event features an all-in-one events app, over 150 session options with contact hours, four engaging keynote speakers, in addition to several mini-summits and other training options available during the event – registration instructions are available below.

This year’s theme, Supporting the Whole Student and School Community, is emphasized through a wide variety of sessions on early childhood education, student behavior (including a session on The Regulated Classroom!), social emotional learning, interdisciplinary instruction, youth engagement, special education and inclusivity, diversity, equity, and inclusion, extended learning opportunities, outdoor learning and climate education, school safety, mental health literacy, emotional intelligence, literacy, math, technology in the classroom, and so much more!

This year’s keynote speakers are Pender Makin, Maine Education Commissioner; Jared Cooney Horvath, a Neuroscientist and Educator; Kim Strobel, a motivational speaker and Happiness Coach; and Catherine Ann Wilson, the founder of Stop Trafficking US.

There are also several mini summits and training certifications being offered during the event. Mini summits include:

  • As part of the School Safety Summit, there are over 25 presentations from all areas involving school and student safety. Look for their tag in the listing of sessions on the agenda page.
  • Educational Trip Leader Permit Course– Required for any educator taking students on field trips involving water. Maine Guide and Principal of Wiscasset Middle & High School, Sarah J. Hubert will offer this full 3-day training.
  • Functional Behavioral Assessments Training (FBA) fifteen (15) total hours (5 per day) during the three-day Annual Summit.
  • Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference Ten discreet sessions can be taken as an all-day track on August 6 or just attend those of interest! Designed for anyone who invites volunteers to help meet the needs of youth or community. The topics cover a new model for youth service, volunteering as a wellness intervention, engaging local business employees as volunteers, ensuring diversity and inclusion in volunteer systems, and more. Presenters include researchers, practitioners, and panelists from major state employers.

The Maine DOE Annual Summit is your summer destination for connecting with education colleagues across Maine to share ideas and reinvigorate over the summer. The 150+ sessions will give you the high-quality professional learning, tools, and resources you need to re-energize this summer while earning contact hours towards your State of Maine educator and/or administrator credential renewal before the 2024/2025 school year. You will also have the opportunity to meet with members of Maine DOE’s Certification Team all three days of the events!

Transportation & Travel Options

Ride-Share Option – The Annual Summit is now available on the GO MAINE trip planner, a statewide commuter program. The pre-filled event destination can be used and shared with other Annual Summit attendees by using this link.

Travel Reimbursement: All attendees are eligible for mileage reimbursement. Attendees traveling more than fifty (50) miles are eligible to receive reimbursement for lodging for the 3-day Annual Summit. Additional information related to lodging reimbursement and submitting for travel reimbursement can be located on the Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) Bizzabo Annual Summit event website.

Registration

New this year, the Maine DOE is utilizing Bizzabo, an all-in-one events platform to support registration and attendance. Through Bizzabo, participants will be able to register and pay for the Summit, access their personalized schedule and registration information, and access to real-time conference and scheduling updates.

Register here.

Registration is open until July 19th. The presentation schedule and agenda will be released very soon. After registering for the summit, search for the Bizzabo app in your app store (Bizzabo in Apple Store | Bizzabo on Google Play) and log in with your email and ticket number to access the event.

We look forward to seeing you at the Annual Summit this year!