Latest News

New Maine Spark Goals

For 10 years, Educate Maine has worked with partners from the MaineSpark coalition to support Mainers as they achieve. We're thrilled that MaineSpark has made considerable, measurable progress toward its original goal of  more Mainers holding certificates of value toward fulfilling, well-paying careers. Now our coaltion --a partnership of employers, educators and nonrpofit leaders--announces an ambitious new education and training goal. By 2035, 70 percent of working-age Mainers will hold… READ MORE

Hancock County Teacher of the Year Helps Students Build More Than Just Projects

Hancock County 2026 Teacher of the Year Mike Brzezowski was the focus of a great profile by Carrie Jones in  Bar Harbor Story. Read at the link above to learn why students, parents and colleagues truly appreciate "Mr. B.", a technology integration teacher who helps learners build more than simply "projects" at Pemetic Elementary in Southwest Harbor. Mr. B is one of the 16 newest reasons we're proud to celebrate Maine's awesome educators! READ MORE

Welcome, 2026 County Teachers of the Year!

Welcome to the newest class of Maine County Teachers of the Year!  The 16 honorees – who teach in grades pre-K through high school and in subject areas ranging from chemistry to Spanish -- were celebrated in the Hall of Flags at Maine’s State House on Friday, May 15. Educate Maine, in partnership with the state Department of Education, introduced the new cohort to a crowd of family, friends, colleagues and past honorees. In 2026, hundreds of people from school communities across the… READ MORE

Watch: Maine Women in the Building Trades

Did you know that women comprise about 15 percent of Maine’s construction trades workforce? Although the trades are traditionally dominated by men, in Maine, more women and nonbinary people are joining that workforce, with numbers growing as more enter registered apprenticeships, particularly in the building trades. Successful apprentices can count on pay north of $27 an hour once their training is completed, and those in programs get paid and trained in a booming field. Apprenticeships offer… READ MORE

Registration Open: Girls Who Code Camps 2026!

Girls Who Code Summer 2026! Registration is now open for two AMAZING summer opportunities. For young people who want to learn coding, improve their skills, meet CS professionals, and make friends from across the state.  DAY CAMP  July 6-10th at the Roux Institute in Portland; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Field trip and career exploration included! Registration now open: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/girls-who-code-camp-at-the-roux-institute-tickets-1987812368304 OVERNIGHT CAMP July 26-31 at… READ MORE

Youth Apprenticeships Help Build Maine's Future Economy

When it comes to building Maine’s future economy, it turns out some of the best ideas are also some of the oldest. Take youth apprenticeships, for example. We all know about the age-old practice of on the job training for young people. From Ebeneezer Scrooge to Johnny Tremain to a certain reality TV show, the apprentice is familiar cultural character. But here in Maine, the growing number of apprenticeships offer a real-life solution to our statewide economic challenges, like an aging… READ MORE

Many Educational Priorities Achieved by 132nd Legislature

Multiple Educate Maine priorities were achieved by the 132nd Legislature, which wrapped up its session last week. EM was actively involved in advocating and monitoring many education and workforce development public policy initiatives included in several approved and pending proposals. The supplemental state budget, LD 2212, was passed and signed by the Governor, and will take effect this summer.  Included in the supplemental budget are provisions to:  Fund free community colleges this… READ MORE

Registration OPEN for Blockbuster Professional Development Opportunity

Sign Up Now! Registration is now OPEN for ElevateED, one great conference, two fabulous events. July 29-31, Waterville. It's all happening at Thomas College.  The Maine DOE Annual Summit on Day 1 (July 29) is tailored to meet the needs of Maine’s education workforce, including school staff, educators, school safety professionals, and building and instructional leaders. The Every Teacher a Leader Conference on Days 2 and 3 (July 30 and 31) features teacher-led sessions designed specifically… READ MORE

Consultant Opportunity: Finance and HR Systems Assessment

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Pre-Apprenticeship in High Performance Building is NOW OPEN

Are you interrested in the building trades? Do you want to start early in high-performance, sustainable building? Or do you know someone looking for this opportunity?  The High Performance Building Systems & Practices Pre-Apprenticeship Program, run by our partners at passivhausMAINE, is now accepting applications for their second cohort. This state-certified program provides FREE hands-on training and exposure to careers in high-performance, energy-efficient building — with built-in… READ MORE