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.

Maine Department of Education Interns

Grace LeclercGrace Leclerc is a rising junior at Brown University, where she is studying Political Science and Education Studies. She is originally from Topsham, ME. As the Child Nutrition Intern, she is excited to work with the Child and Adult Care Food Program Team to help modernize their training program. In her free time, she enjoys playing the saxophone and learning sign language.

 

Ellie LomanginoEllie Lomangino is a rising junior at George Washington University studying International Affairs and French. She is originally from South Portland, ME. As a Data and Media Assistant, she is excited to support the implementation of technology in Maine schools, as well as gaining a broader understanding of the Maine DOE’s initiatives and field of education. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and singing with the Vibes A Capella group.

 

Samuel MalteseSamuel Maltese is a rising senior at the University of Vermont, where he studies Food Systems, Nutrition, and Community Entrepreneurship. He is originally from Camden, ME. As a Learning Through Technology Data & Media Assistant, he hopes to leverage technology to improve education. At UVM, he manages digitalization for the university radio station, WRUV, and was published as a second author of Assessing the Efficacy of Commercial Probiotics in Preventing Colonization of Listeria monocytogenes on Wooden Cheese Aging Boards by Eurydice Aboagye et al. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, cooking, and gardening at his home in Camden.

Colin Marquis-BoutinColin Marquis-Boutin is a recent graduate of Bates College, where he studied Politics and Chinese. He is originally from Mechanic Falls, ME. As a Recruitment Outreach Assistant, he will be raising the profile of the Maine Service Fellows initiative by attending recruitment events, developing an outreach plan, and creating marketing materials to promote the program, as well as researching and writing a report on current service program recruitment practices and trends. He is most excited to be a part of a team that connects dedicated service fellows to communities to complete important service projects. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and playing the saxophone.

Ava ShapiroAva Shapiro is a rising junior at Colby College, where she is studying Government and Educational Studies. She is originally from New York, NY. As the Communications and Outreach Intern, she will be researching different education-related programs and events within the state, writing articles, gathering interview and photo/video content at events, and assisting with promotional materials. She is most excited to help with the Annual Educator Summit, the Maine DOE’s largest event which takes place in August. After graduation, she wants to pursue a career in educational policy in Maine. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, hiking, rock climbing, and listening to country music.

Meredyth WatersMeredyth Waters is a rising senior at the University of Maine, where she is studying Political Science with a focus on labor and leadership. As an Operational Assistant, she is excited to work for the DOE to pursue her interests in education and public administration and believes that this role will allow her to experience the intersections of public policy, operation, leadership, and labor. In her free time, she enjoys camping, a Wikipedia deep dive, and cheering on the Black Bears during hockey season.

 

May WhelanMay Whelan is a rising senior at Bates College, where she is studying Economics and Spanish on the pre-law track. She is originally from Bristol, RI. As a Volunteer Maine Human Resource Instructional Design Assistant, she is excited to revamp the adult learning platform for volunteer management, as well as learn more about the different realms of state and municipal government. In her free time, she enjoys dancing and traveling.

 

The Maine DOE is excited to welcome these summer interns and looks forward to their innovative ideas and fresh perspective on the many projects they will be involved with throughout the summer.

To learn more about the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center’s Maine Government Summer Internship Program, visit their website.

Sign up for updates through the Maine DOE Newsroom and follow us on social media (Facebook | X | Instagram | LinkedIn) to stay up-to-date throughout the summer.

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. 

There will be two asynchronous summer sessions running from:

  • July 1 – August 9
  • August 1 – September 6

To learn more and register for this course, visit the Interdisciplinary Instruction Professional Learning page.

For questions, please contact Jaime Beal, Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist at jaime.beal@maine.gov

This opportunity is a collaboration between the Maine Online Open-Source Education (MOOSE) project and the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team. The MOOSE project is funded entirely (100%) through Federal money under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) totaling $4,598,000 for the current 2023-2024 funding cycle.

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.

*The enrollment date for this report was corrected from 5/27 to 5/31 to accurately reflect this year’s collection period.

  • Open Date: 5/15
  • Due Date: 6/15
  • Required to Report: RSUs, CSDs, MSADs, municipal school units, Maine Indian Education, charter schools, state-operated schools, and private schools that accept publicly funded students.
  • Resources:

For questions about Maine School Approval reporting and/or the ESEA Demographics report, please contact MEDMS.Helpdesk@maine.gov or call 207-624-6896

 

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).

What are ELOs?

ELOs are a form of micro-credentialing that allow students to earn academic credit through diverse, hands-on experiences outside the conventional classroom. They emphasize community-based career exploration and are highly personalized opportunities for students to:

  • Engage in learning in ways that resonate with them.
  • Connect their learning to everyday life in meaningful ways.

ELOs combine elements of academic instruction (projects, papers, presentations) with experiential learning (project-based learning, internships, job shadows).

The Value of ELOs:

  • Flexible: ELO experiences can be designed for in-person, remote, or hybrid settings, allowing schools to utilize their resources effectively.
  • Personalized: ELOs offer the chance to customize courses for students who need additional support, specific motivation, or excel in a certain area. They cater to individual learning styles.
  • Relevant: Every ELO connects real-life experiences with learning standards. This format translates to highly relevant and engaging content, often incorporating valuable career exploration.

2024 ELO Summit Highlights Not to Miss –

  • Student Stories: Be inspired by students sharing their firsthand ELO experiences!
  • Dynamic Workshops: Interactive sessions will feature microlearning opportunities followed by facilitated workshops to translate insights into actionable plans.
  • Engaging Discussions and Networking: Connect with your peers through panel discussions, networking receptions, and collaborative planning sessions.

Don’t Miss Out – Registration is Free!

Register today and be part of the exciting future of ELOs in Maine! For more information, including a full agenda for the day, please see the event flyer.

 

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.

The fellowship provides participants with opportunities to deepen their knowledge of early learning pedagogy and best practices related to supporting students and teachers across Pre-K-3.  Participants engage in a variety of modes of learning, from asynchronous modules to facilitated online professional learning communities to in-person gatherings.

“I really enjoyed the variety of materials and activities in which we were engaged–videos, utilizing the observation and reflection tools, and the readings. Also, it was a great group of people to interact with both online and in person,” said a participant from Cohort 3.

“Participating in the series has helped me to look at the decisions we make about our instructional programming and school community through the lens of early learning and what is developmentally appropriate for our youngest learners,” said a participant from Cohort 1.

If this opportunity interests you, please review the fellowship details in the informational guide.  A link to apply for the series is included in the informational guide.  The series will support up to 30 participants.  Applications will be received through July 14, 2024. Once spaces are filled, a waiting list will be generated.

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

Leading Early Learning Partner Organizations

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

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.

To learn more about MADSEC, these awards, and the honorees, visit their website:

Home (madsec.org)

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

Visual Access to Mathematics (VAM) – Free professional learning course with a focus on English learners/multilingual learners for grades 6 and 7 mathematics teachers:

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 Education Development Center.

Teachers will learn evidence-based strategies that they can integrate with their current mathematics curriculum to benefit English learners/multilingual learners and all students.

The course starts with an in-person summer institute (August 13th-15th in Cheshire, CT with hotel/mileage/meal costs covered) and continues during the school year with flexible online sessions. If enough teachers from Maine sign up, then a second summer institute option location in Maine will be added for August 21st-23rd.

Benefits include an $850 stipend for teachers and the option to sign up for graduate credit for a fee.

Check out the VAM flyer for additional information about this opportunity. Share the flyer with mathematics teachers in grades 6 and 7 who may be interested. They can register here for an information session to learn more directly from course developers.

This opportunity is part of a project the Regional Educational Laboratory

Northeast & Islands (funded by the U.S. Department of Education) is conducted in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education. Teachers from Maine are being invited to participate in coordination with the Maine Department of Education.

If you have any questions, please contact vam@edc.org

Maine DOE Seeking Members for SEL4ME State Advisory Team

In November of 2020, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) launched SEL4ME. This FREE PreK-12th grade, Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning (CASEL)-aligned, trauma-informed web-based resource provides equal access to social emotional learning (SEL) resources for all Maine schools. The online platform of 450 modules for social emotional learning assists educators in embedding SEL practices into daily routines to ensure that youth of all ages in all Maine regions are equipped with the knowledge of the 5 Key Elements of SEL – Self Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationships, and Responsible Decision Making. Since the launch of this resource, over 135 schools have accessed these modules, with more than 90,000 logins during COVID 19 (2020-2022).

Advisory Team Purpose:

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. Alignment with Maine’s whole student approach is of the utmost importance, and we are seeking a diverse advisory team to support this effort. Essential to this team’s success is the involvement of educators, community members, and other stakeholders representing all regions of Maine.

Members:

The Advisory Team will include up to 20 members, including early childhood, early and upper elementary, middle, and high school educators and local—and state-level organizations. We are seeking participants from all regions of Maine.

Advisory Team Expectations:

Commitment is from June 2024 to August 2024. There will be two levels of Advisory Team participation:

  • Level 1 Team comprised of school personnel will review all grade-level modules in each of the 5 competencies aligned with CASEL and recommend the best 5 modules from each competency area for review by Level 2 Members. * The goal is for each grade level to have up to 25 modules in total.
    • Review modules and deliberate asynchronously, with July 12th as the deadline for submission.
    • Forward recommendations for Level 2 consideration.
  • Level 2, comprised of community organizations/parents/educators, will require a deeper level of engagement – synthesizing preliminary   recommendations made by Level 1 participants – with compensation at a higher rate:
    • Review Level 1 recommendations and identify the modules—up to 25 per grade level PreK-12—encompassing the core competencies that CASEL identified.
    • Attend 5 virtual meetings (1.5 hrs. each) to determine the final selection of modules.
    • Attend the first asynchronous meeting on July 18th (with subsequent meetings determined by the team).

Compensation:

Participants will receive a stipend upon completion of all advisory work. If desired, they may apply to be part of both Level 1 and Level 2 teams.

Level 1:

  • Up to 13 members
  • Total commitment is10.5 hours
  • $45/hour

Deadline for submission of selected modules: Friday, July 12th @ 5:00 PM

Level 2:

  • Up to 10 members
  • Total commitment is 8.5 hours
  • $50/hour

Deadline for Level 2 work: on or before Aug. 16, 2024

To indicate your interest in becoming a member of the 2024 SEL4ME Advisory Team, please complete the following form by June 8th:  https://forms.office.com/g/a8RHL0Q0Cx

American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds from the US Department of Education (DOE) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $10,000, of which 100% is federally funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the USDOE or the U.S. Government.

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.

The focus for one day of training was geared towards food program staff to learn about food safety, efficiency in the kitchen, and standardized recipes, as well as how they can incorporate the Harvest of the Month and Maine Fish Programs into the meals they are feeding the children in their care.

The other training day focused on providers who handle the administration side of CACFP. The CACFP team reviewed the budget tool, agreement errors, and the integrity rule. Participants broke up into 16 groups to discuss topics that affected them. Several reported ideas to the entire group. The CACFP team collected all topics and ideas for further discussion on how to improve things for CACFP sponsors.

The Maine Department of Education’s Child Nutrition team hosts various in-person training opportunities, including culinary and food safety training for school nutrition professionals at its Augusta-based Culinary Classroom, along with other various training opportunities located in different regions throughout the state; the team also records training videos and provides recipes that are accessible as needed via their website. For more information, reach out to the Maine DOE Child Nutrition Team.

 

 

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

(Volunteers gave students a glimpse into working in the medical field.)

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.

“It was a fulfilling day for all our students with varying abilities and challenges around belonging and inclusion,” said Co-Chair of the Executive Student Committee Connor Archer.

This year’s Summit theme was I Belong. “Our students belong in all spaces,” Titus O’Rourke, Maine Department of Education Transition Specialist, shared with WMTW. “We must establish high expectations for students with disabilities and create pathways for them to explore their career interests. In doing so, we promote and further secure their opportunities to post-secondary economic inclusion.”

The Maine DOE created the Transition Maine program in early 2022 to provide equitable and inclusive transition services for students beyond high school and into adulthood. Since then, the team has been on a mission to amplify youth voices in Maine and beyond. One of these initiatives, with the support and guidance of the Summit’s Executive Steering Committee and a team of student advocates, promoted the need and value of the Youth Summit for our students with varying abilities.

“It’s an event where other students, like me, come and learn different skills,” said Camren Dubay, a student from Dirigo High School and member of the Summit’s Executive Steering Committee. “We’ve done a lot of planning in the background for this event.”

A student in a bright green shirt and blue hat stands at a black podium giving a speech.
Joshua Ellis opened the event with a speech full of his signature humor. 

Throughout the day, students engaged with different career pathway led by their peers and Maine businesses. Students explored potential occupations at each career pathway by participating in an activity highlighting skills needed to work in the respective industry. Joshua Ellis, another Executive Transition Student Committee member, taught his fellow students how to change spark plugs alongside two representatives from Darlings Auto, a skill he learned at Capital Area Technology. “Now I don’t have to pay someone to fix my car,” joked, or as he likes to say, joshed Ellis.

As students completed each activity, they logged their experience in their Career Exploration Passports. These Career Passports serve as student-led transition assessments, which educators can use to help develop the necessary Transition Plan sections of student’s Individualized Education Plans.

Stacey Brown, the climate educator at Revision Energy, led a Career Pathway on Solar Energy that was very popular with students. “I’ve really been enjoying seeing how excited the students are about certain activities. We have kits that students can build showing what they would do if they worked in the warehouse, and students have really enjoyed sorting and organizing those,” Brown explained. “Other students are just having fun understanding solar energy by playing with the circuits and the solar cars. So, it has been fun to have a variety of activities that meet the needs of all the students.”

When students weren’t outside exploring Career Pathways, they visited Let’s Talk Tables to discuss different themes around post-grad life, such as health equity, advocacy, and resume building. Darius Reaves, a student at Maine Virtual Academy, tested Maine’s new accessible voting machines at the Secretary of State’s “Come On, Let’s Vote” table. “It was great,” Reaves said of practicing his voting skills, “I think I might get used to it when I’m 18…I think I might like it!”

At the advocacy table, Anna Schmidt had one crucial message for students: “Know your rights! You can’t protect your rights if you don’t know them.” This message was echoed by the day’s guest speakers, Derek Schmitz and Michael Uher, self-advocates dedicated to making space for young people with disabilities like their own.

“You deserve to have your needs met,” Schmitz urged their peers in the Summit’s opening. “You deserve accommodations.”  Schmitz is a paralegal in his second year at Gadsden State Community College in Alabama. They are also the Lead

A young woman wearing a blue top and shorts speaks to two women in bright green shirts.
Representatives from the Green Ladle, a culinary arts program at Lewiston Regional Technical Center, taught students how to make cannolis.

Advocate for Derek Schmitz Advocacy, a firm he started in 2018.

Uher is also a college student and disability rights advocate. Uher spoke over Zoom, sharing his experience finding his place after a traumatic event in fourth grade left him with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures. “My voice wasn’t being heard. I felt like it didn’t matter,” he told the crowd. Today, Uher uses that experience to connect and inspire other students with disabilities. “We all face our own challenges, disability-related or not,” said Uher. “But how we react to and overcome these barriers is what truly matters.”

For everyone present, the Summit was an empowering and inspiring experience. “I love seeing all the students that are coming into the Summit,” expressed Cathy Dionne, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Maine. “They’re looking around at different things that they may want to do in the future. It gives them opportunities to test things out.”

“This may seem like a small thing, but I’ve been told multiple times by my own mother one small action can make a big difference, and this is going to make a big difference in people’s lives,” said Ellis.

“We have so much more work to do. We are already thinking about our next initiatives, next year’s summit, and so much more,” said Archer of the event. “This is our true passion. We believe strongly that all students deserve the opportunity to live a successful life where their future and their plan is at the center of it all, no matter what abilities or challenges they have.

Educators looking to connect with Transition Maine can reach out to Titus O’Rourke at titus.orourke@maine.gov.

 

The Transition Maine Summit was funded through Federal Emergency Relief and is a part of Maine’s Whole Student Pandemic Response. Please visit the Maine DOE website to learn more about Maine’s Whole Student Pandemic Response.