Five Maine Education Programs Highlighted in National Webinar on Educational Innovation

In December, five Maine educators leading school innovations and working towards systemic change to create powerful outcomes for Maine students were featured in a webinar hosted by The Regional Education Laboratory (REL) Northeast & Islands with nearly 100 educators from across the country present.

The goal of the webinar was to deepen understanding of different types and purposes of educational assessment within the context of implementing an educational innovation. These educators shared a variety of data sources they used to establish evidence of efficacy as they worked toward systemic change.

Students Laughing - outdoor learning
Students from Portland Public Schools

Portland Public Schools

The first team of educators to present in the webinar were Brooke Teller and Katie West of Portland Public Schools. They shared assessment tools to measure the desired outcomes of increased exposure and engagement for all students, teacher joy, knowledge and commitment to outdoor and experiential learning, and a greater awareness and understanding of Environmental Literacy Practices and Indigenous Worldview. They have a district-wide innovation for 3,200 K-5 students. By examining student field journals, conducting interviews, and surveys, these innovators were able to begin to capture the impact of their innovation on not just students but the larger community. 

“We’ve been doing interviews and collecting anecdotes and stories because we know how powerful a story can be,” said Brooke Teller of Portland Public Schools.

Falmouth Middle School

Katie Coppens of Falmouth Middle School shared their Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV) Pilot: The Navigator Program. The goal of this innovation is to foster empathy and responsibility for the community by immersing students in the natural, cultural, and historical elements of the community and to use these as a foundation for the study of science, social studies, and other subjects across the curriculum. The People & Places of the Presumpscot unit was the first step in creating district-wide place-based programming. Katie shared creative pre and post unit assessments that demonstrated student growth. 

“When you think of the Presumpscot River what word comes to mind?”

word cloud comparison

“This simple snapshot is a measurement that shows the impact this place based unit has on student understanding and connection to the Presumpscot River,” Katie Coppens, Falmouth Public Schools.

Agnes Gray Elementary School

MSAD 17Outdoor Learning in the Oxford Hills was the focus of Sarah Timm’s presentation. As a result of capturing outcomes of increased engagement and motivation, improved student behavior, and academic achievement, the program began the second year of implementation by moving from one elementary school in the district to all 8 elementary schools in the district. The success of the innovation with the elementary schools has informed their decision to provide outdoor learning opportunities to preK-12 students. 

“We are collecting data about how student behavior in the woods compares to student behavior on metal and  plastic playground equipment.”  Sarah Timm, Outdoor Learning Coach describes one data measure at Agnes Gray Elementary school a school with a forest playground for students. 

Maine Indian Education Schools

Gen Doughty, the RREV Leader for the Maine Indian Education Schools, has been supporting the implementation of Extended Learning Opportunities, Place-Based and Project-based learning in order to increase meaningful student participation and to strengthen connection to the community. It only makes sense that as their innovative pilot focuses on a shared way of life, culture, customs, and traditions, that they assess educational outcomes in a way that aligns with Wabanaki Culture. Gen shared that while they originally tried to measure connection to community and culture through surveys but it wasn’t meaningful information. That led Gen and her team of educators to the challenge of examining how the Wakanaki culture would go about a quest for knowledge. That led to the use of storytelling through small and large talking circles which provided a much deeper understanding of how to respond to student needs.

“The school is a place where many gather , not just a place for our students, our families are involved and we have community meetings and different sorts of activities that happen for our entire families to join in with our students.” Gen Doughty.

The Maine Demartment of Education (DOE) encourages all schools and districts across the State of Maine to learn more about RREV innovative educators and their pilot programs through the RREV website and the online RREV collaborative platform known as EnGiNE. It is through EnGiNE that we hope to continue the momentum to change students’ lives through innovative and responsive educational programs.

Worthington Scholarship Foundation 2024 Scholarship Application is Open for Public High School Seniors in Maine

The Worthington Scholarship Foundation is offering scholarships of up to $20,000 to high school seniors from any of Maine’s 134 public high schools, who will attend a Worthington-eligible 4-year college or a community college in Fall 2024.

Applicants must also:

  • Be a legal Maine resident
  • Have a B- or higher GPA if planning to attend a 4-year college
  • Have a C- or higher GPA if planning to attend a community college
  • Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $20,000 or less as determined by the FAFSA

Scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need and are renewable for up to eight (8) semesters. Award amounts are up to $20,000 to attend a 4-year college and up to $16,000 to attend a Maine community college with the option of continuing to a 4-year partnering college.

The foundation also provides student support services to its scholars throughout their college careers and works closely with each partner college to help students attain their education goals.

Applications are due April 15, 2024.

For more information and to complete an online application, please visit worthingtonscholars.org. For additional information, email info@worthingtonscholars.org or call 207-596-5800.

Webinar: Gamifying Your Classroom

In this discussion-based webinar, Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine Humanities Teacher Leader Fellows Jim St. Pierre and Dorie Tripp host an exchange among teachers who are gamifying their curriculums or who want to learn more about gamification to improve student engagement.

This relatively new approach to teaching is gaining momentum but there are few resources available for anyone seeking to understand more about it. This webinar hopes to address these shortcomings by bringing together interested practitioners to exchange ideas and methods. We hope you join us and we look forward to exchanging ideas.

Continuing Education credits will be offered.

Webinar: Gamifying Your Classroom

For further information, reach our to Maine DOE Humanities Teacher Fellowship Team – James St. Pierre and Dorie Tripp at James.St.Pierre.@maine.gov and Dorie.Tripp@maine.gov

Madawaska Shows the Power of Summer Learning Opportunities, Apply for 2024 Funding Today

Last summer, elementary school students throughout Madawaska were provided project-based extended educational learning opportunities with a focus on celebrating the region’s French-Acadian heritage.  

After the 2022-2023 school year, Principal Christian Arnold began working with her team to collaboratively develop thoughtful interdisciplinary lessons and exposure to project-based learning and real-world application, critical thinking skills, and social emotional benefits that emerge from confident learners. During a visit by the Maine Department of Education (DOE), staff observed an engaging lesson focused on preparing students for a field trip later in the week to Maine’s Acadian Village.

Throughout the read aloud, students made text to real life connections, shared personal anecdotes, and leaned in to learn more about their region’s rich cultural history. Directly following the read aloud, students and educators enjoyed ployes while listening to local French-Acadian fiddle music. Throughout their family style meal where butter and local maple syrup was plentiful, students and educators eagerly shared stories from their own personal experiences which illustrated how this delicious French-Acadian staple has connected their families and greater community for generations. Woven throughout the discussion were brief vocabulary lessons in English and French.

Madawaska’s four-week American Rescue Plan (ARP) funded summer and enrichment programming supported three certified teachers with three Ed Techs and a dedicated Family Engagement assistant.  Attendance was a key focus and was a successful effort with about 20 students participating on a daily basis. Each student had a learning objectives/goals folder used to share with parents and track their progress. 89 percent of students met their growth goals as determined in STAR, and all students showed growth or maintained end of year scores as determined by DIBELS. Madawaska determined that their numbers were comparatively small, but the program was dynamic! 

In her end of summer newsletter, Principal Arnold shared “the kids came in as timid students and left as motivated scholars.” 

Funding is available to bring summer programming to your school community!

The 2024 ARP Summer Programming and Enrichment grant application deadline is March 29, 2024, at 5 PM EST. Please reach out to ARP Summer Programming Coordinator Jackie Godbout jackie.godbout@maine.gov with questions. 

Celebrating School Social Work Week March 3-9, 2024

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is proud to celebrate National School Social Work Week, from March 3rd to March 9th, 2024.

School social workers have supported students in the United States since the early 1900s. This support has become increasingly important as the mental health needs of students have increased in recent years. The dedication of the first full week of March as National School Social Work Week celebrates the commitment of school social workers to our students, staff, schools, and communities.

In recognition of school social work week, Dr. Terrilyn Rivers-Cannon, Board President for the School Social Work Association of America reflected on the impact of school social workers:  “In the tapestry of education, school social workers are the threads of compassion, weaving empathy, support, and understanding into the fabric of students’ lives. National School Social Work Week is a canvas to celebrate their profound impact a masterpiece of care, advocacy, and transformative influence.”

Many schools will be hosting special events and activities to highlight the immeasurable benefits school social workers bring to our schools. Please consider joining these schools in honoring and celebrating the work of school social workers in your school.  In addition, we invite you to send testimonials and examples of how school social workers have impacted your school communities. Submissions may be sent to kenneth.a.rautiola@maine.gov. These submissions may be used by Maine DOE and/or the National Association of Social Workers to recognize the incredible work school social workers are providing in Maine schools.

To find other ideas for activities and social media posts, the School Social Work Association of America has shared some suggestions (JPG)

The Maine DOE and its staff would like to send our heartfelt appreciation to all school social workers for the immeasurable positive impact you have on our students, communities, and school climate.

For more information and to submit testimonials of school social workers, please contact Ken Rautiola, Mental Health Distinguished Educator, Maine DOE at kenneth.a.rautiola@maine.gov – office hours 8:00 am – 5:00 pm M-F.

Pre-K Partnership Pilot Grant Informational Session

Is your school administrative unit (SAU) interested in starting or expanding public Pre-K with a community partner for the upcoming 2024-25 school year?  If so, the Maine DOE’s Early Learning Team invites you to attend an informational session regarding a Pre-K Partnership Pilot Grant opportunity we anticipate releasing this Spring.

Pre-K Partnership Pilot Grant Informational Session

  • Date: March 13, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
  • Description: To review the grant and pilot opportunity and anticipated requirements.
  • Register here

Through funding provided by Maine’s Preschool Development Renewal Grant, the Maine Department of Education intends to conduct a pilot to provide grant funding to School Administrative Units (SAUs) to increase the number of eligible 4-year-olds attending high-quality public Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programming in licensed community partner settings (center-based and family child care). To realize its goal of reaching universal access to public Pre-K, the state will need to increase the number of partnerships with licensed community-based providers (e.g., center-based and family child care) to ensure equitable access to high-quality early care and education, especially for our most vulnerable children.

Applicant SAUs awarded these grant funds will be required to partner with licensed community-based providers (e.g., center-based and family child care) to provide either full-day/full week or half-day/full week Pre-K programming. For this pilot, Head Start partnerships will not be considered.  A partnership is characterized by meaningful involvement in the planning, developing, and delivering of the proposed program for students and families.

The informational session will be recorded in case an interested entity isn’t able to attend. Following the informational session, interested SAUs/community partners should monitor the DOE Newsroom and the Division of Procurement Services site for the release of the RFA.

Questions may be directed to Michelle Belanger, Pre-K Partnership Specialist at michelle.belanger@maine.gov.

Windsor Elementary School Explores Maine Seaweeds with a Little ‘Kelp’ From Their Friends

Windsor Elementary School educators Kristel Anuszewski and Jana Diket recently collaborated with Maine Sea Grant, Chef Andrew Wilkinson from North Coast Seafoods, and other Maine businesses to bring seaweed to the classroom and cafeteria.

Since the fall of 2023, both educators have been engaged in professional learning and other efforts to bring the sea inland to their community. Why seaweed? Seaweed farming and harvesting is considered to be “regenerative” and “sustainable” as it requires zero input for growth, no chemicals, fertilizers, or pesticides are needed–only providing benefits for the ecosystem and human health. It plays an important role in combating climate change by dampening wave energy and protecting coastal shorelines, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reducing the effects of ocean acidification by raising the PH, and supplying oxygen to ocean waters. Seaweed is also locally sourced, delicious, and one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.

Seaweed farming and wild harvest also help diversify Maine’s marine economy. It’s a great opportunity and source of income for fishermen and others during the winter season, enabling year-round employment opportunities.

On January 16th, 2024, Windsor Elementary students explored and identified a variety of seaweeds that grow in the Gulf of Maine, and engaged in pressing and other art-related activities. These activities were followed by culinary arts on January 18th with Chef Andrew and his delicious “Seaweed-ish Meat(less)balls,” containing sugar kelp from Maine’s waters. Students also explored a variety of products like seaweed salad and kelp burgers, donated by Atlantic Sea Farms (Biddeford, Maine), as well as a variety of “wild” harvested seaweed products like kelp crunch, seaweed tea, seasonings, generously donated by Maine Coast Sea Vegetables (Hancock, Maine).

Soon after trying the meatballs with Chef Andrew in the morning, Isaiah, an initially skeptical 6th-grader, raised his hand and shared “I didn’t think I would like them, but I really do; may I change my choice for lunch?!”

Chef Andrew shares the story of his recipe–an innovation for seaweed–the Seaweed-ish Meatball with students in the Windsor Learning Commons.
Chef Andrew prepares his meatball recipe.
A seaweed identification station
Keri Kaczor arrives with seaweed buckets at WES.
Keri Kaczor and Jaclyn (Jax) Robidoux from Maine Sea Grant instruct grade 7 and 8 students on how to press seaweed

Although this event primarily engaged 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, all students were offered this option for lunch on January 18th. Windsor School Chefs Missy Parsons and Kara Bailey served up Seaweed-ish Meatballs with pasta and marinara. Chef Ron Adams of Maine Farm and Sea Cooperative, and Chef Mike Flynn, the Director of Student Nutrition Services, Somerville, Maine, stopped in with some Maine marinara with tomatoes sourced from Maine growers– delicious! There was also a special meal option, a kelp burger, served to faculty.

Principal Heather Wilson (left) and Kristel Anuszewski (right) enjoy Chef’s Seaweed-ish Meatball recipe.
Missy Parsons (WES school head cook), Chef Andrew Wilkinson (guest seaweed chef for the day at WES), Kristel Anuszewski (WES teacher and event organizer), Keri Kaczor (Maine Sea Grant, UMO), Chef Mike Flynn (RSU#12 Director of Student Nutrition Services), and Kara Bailey (WES kitchen assistant)
Kristel Anuszewski (WES Librarian and STEM teacher) and Jana Diket (middle school science and social studies teacher)

Prior to this collaboration, Anuskewski and Diket introduced their students to seaweed curriculum and activities, and kindergarten through 8th grade students all helped decorate the hallway in preparation for the events. Fish and seaweed adorned the walls, fabric hung from the ceiling with silhouettes of sea-life, creating a magical “seaprise” and experience for all. An intertidal ocean mural with seaweed and other creatures was also on display, built by the 7th and 8th grade students.

Diket plans to continue this work by installing a saltwater tank in her classroom, and both teachers plan on taking students on a field trip to the sea in the spring.

Keri Kaczor, Maine Sea Grant, shared, “It is wonderful to see educators and food service staff at Windsor Elementary collaborate to provide high-quality, hands-on science, art, and nutritional experiences for their students. It’s also a gift to have Maine’s seaweed industry and Chef Andrew generously commit their time, expertise, and products to this effort.”

For more information, please reach out to Kristel (kanuszewski@svrsu.org) or Jana (jdiket@svrsu.org).

This story was submitted by Windsor Elementary School through our Maine DOE Good News Submission form. To submit a story, please fill out the form here.

Reminder: Regional School Calendar Coordination Between SAUs and CTEs

As a reminder, Regional School Calendars are due by June 1, 2024 for school administrative units (SAU) and private schools, approved for tuition purposes, in coordination with their local secondary career and technical education (CTE) school. This requirement is part of Public Law 2011, Chapter 686 to promote collaboration among local school administrative units that may benefit from inter-administrative unit collaboration beyond CTE.

For school year 2024-25, both regional school calendars and individual calendars for each school administrative unit must be submitted by the director of the local CTE Center/Region to the Maine Department of Education (DOE) no later than June 1, 2024, for a decision on approval by July 12, 2024.

Guidance and templates or Regional School Calendars can be accessed electronically on the Maine DOE website.

Given the coordination required to fulfill this law, the Maine DOE recommends that SAUs initiate discussions as soon as possible, including representatives from all affected secondary schools and their associated career and technical education center or region.

Please visit the Maine DOE Website for more information, including guidance, instructions, templates, a waiver process, and a link to the complete law.

Further questions should be directed to Emily Doughty emily.doughty@maine.gov at 207-592-0314 or Dwight Littlefield dwight.a.littlefield@maine.gov at 207- 441-8927.

Inclusive Education Webinar Series Available: Inclusion for Students with IDD and Complex Needs & Assistive Technology (AT)

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education has three upcoming Inclusive Education Webinars Series planned.

Two-Part Inclusive Education Webinar Series: High Leverage Practice to Promote Inclusion for Students with IDD and Complex Needs

This two-part series, hosted by MAIER and the Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education, will provide well-structured content on different pedagogies and how high-leverage practice to promote inclusion can be conducted by developing strategies that promote inclusiveness and principles for students with IDD and Complex Needs.

Part 1 Wednesday, March 20th, 4:00 pm – Register here 

In this session, presenters describe a practical approach for orienting our teaching practices toward ensuring students with IDD and Complex Needs can construct enviable lives within their self-selected communities. This practical session will meet teachers where they are on their inclusive practice journey and provide simple strategies for taking that next step.

Part 2 Thursday, April 4th, 4:00 pm –  Register here.

In the second session, participants will learn new strategies and inclusive approaches necessary for assisting students with IDD and Complex Needs and how to provide intensive supports for students regardless of dis/ability. The session will help the participant to develop action points and strategies necessary for incorporating cultural practices into teaching and learning process.

Presenters (moved up presenter info)

Robert C. Pennington has served as the Assistant Director of Training and Executive Director for the Kentucky Autism Training Center (KATC) and currently is an Instructor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Louisville. He earned his PhD at the University of Kentucky and has over 20 years of experience in working with individuals with disabilities and their families in school and communities’ contexts. He has served as a classroom teacher and district technical assistance provider, and piloted Jefferson County Public Schools’ first autism inclusion model (AIM). His research interests include autism spectrum disorders, applied behavior analysis, writing instruction, and teacher preparation.

Monique Pinczynski is a first generation doctoral student at the University of North Carolina Charlotte in Special Education. She was previously a classroom teacher in Henderson, NV where she taught students with autism and extensive support needs as well as students with learning disabilities. Monique earned her B.S. and M.Ed. in Special Education at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where she also attained her Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification. Her research interests include implementing evidence-based practices with students with autism and extensive support needs with a focus on communication as well as supporting teachers in this area.

Inclusive Education Webinar Series: Dispelling Myths about Assistive Technology (AT) Devices and Services

Want to learn more about assistive technology use in the classroom to benefit all learners? Recent guidance on the myths and facts surrounding assistive technology was released from the federal government which supports reducing barriers that often lead to a lack of utilization of AT. This webinar, hosted by Maine CITE and the Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education, and led by Maine CITE director, Jessi Wright, will guide educators, administrators and ed techs through the latest AT information and provide insights on moving toward a more inclusive education environment.

This will be a two session event – March 12th from 4-5pm will include the overview of the myths and March 19th from 4-5pm will be an open forum for the public to come for conversations about the use of assistive technology in schools.  Register here.

For more information or questions on either of these opportunities, contact Tracy Whitlock at tracy.w.whitlock@maine.gov

Photography and Poetry Gallery at Lyseth Elementary School

Walking into the bright atrium of Lyseth Elementary School in Portland, you are met by giant black-and-white photographs of the 20 students in Leigh Quigley’s 4th-grade class. Hanging from the skylight are even more pictures, pictures that students took after learning photography elements like composition, light, and focal point from professional photographer Liz Bieber. Proud adults gather around, taking pictures of student work. As you walk to the end of the atrium, framed images of students and the poetry they wrote, the conclusion to a poetry unit designed to build empathy, understanding, and community within the classroom, hang on the wall in neat rows.

The unit began as a single-focus poetry unit where students were exposed to classic and modern poets and forms and then transferred their learning to create original poetry that captured their voices. After a visit to the Bowdoin Museum of Art, student’s curiosity and excitement transformed the single focus into a multidisciplinary unit that included original photography. Students added knowledge and skills around photography to their poetry knowledge and applied those skills by taking candid and studio pictures of their peers that would accompany their poetry. Once photos were taken and poetry was written, students created frames, chose pictures, and typed their poems, which included different fonts and effects that emphasized certain words and phrases.

4th-grade student Patrick explained his choice of purposely using lowercase letters to “make it different than the others.”

The final products were mounted in the atrium, where they would be a prominent addition and visible to every member of the school community.

“I really like taking pictures and writing poetry,” 4th grade student Grace shared. “The hardest part was figuring out what to write, but I used a poem we read before for inspiration.”

Mrs. Quigley noticed an increase in student engagement but also grew professionally herself. “Working with them every day opened my eyes to new ways of thinking. They provided a fresh take on the subject matter through their unique interpretations.”

This project gave students an opportunity to share their voices, but it also has had ripple effects throughout the school. Lyseth principal Sara Goodall shared that “kids, families, and staff are asking and excited to learn more” and that “less than a week after it opened, Lyseth is exploring a photography club.”

The student voice in their poetry, the choice of which photos to use to illustrate their poetry, the community gathering to celebrate,  and the ripple effects it has caused throughout the school are concrete examples of the school’s core value of “we all belong here at Lyseth.”

This story was a collaboration between the Maine Department of Education’s Interdisciplinary Instruction (II) Team and Lyseth Elementary School. If you are interested in collaborating with the Maine DOE’s II Team to showcase your school’s interdisciplinary instructional work, reach out to Kathy Bertini at kathy.bertini@maine.gov. You can also submit Maine school highlights to Maine DOE’s Good News Submission Form.