Breakout Sessions #3
Session Title: Help Us Stay: Supporting and Retaining Educators of Color
Session Description:
Everyone benefits from a racially diverse educator workforce. Increased teacher diversity leads to more culturally relevant teaching techniques and curriculum, the reduction of the racial achievement gap, and a more well-rounded school experience for all students. Maine schools have been working to increase diversity among educators, however, being an educator of color in a mostly white faculty can be difficult. In this workshop we will present tools that school leaders can use to provide essential support to educators of color.
Speakers:
Christina Horner, Senior Associate, Great Schools Partnership
Kate Gardoqui, Senior Associate, Great Schools Partnership
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Session Title: Aquaculture ME: A network connecting classrooms to communities
Session Description:
Aquaculture is a powerful and dynamic classroom tool that Maine teachers are using to connect their classroom to communities and practice inquiry-based learning, while aligning with advanced educational standards. Aquaculture ME! is a state-wide collaborative network of educators, sea farmers, researchers, and organizations, which links ongoing science and industry efforts with educational opportunities. By supporting aquaculture learning in the classroom, Aquaculture ME! helps students to develop key skills in science, technology, and mathematics. Through these efforts, teachers and students can authentically engage in Maine’s working waterfront communities and students can explore diverse professions in the marine workforce. In this breakout session, learn how the Aquaculture ME! network is increasing collaboration across schools, districts, and the state, and is supporting educators in connecting their classrooms to communities.
Speakers:
Jaclyn Robidoux, Marine Extension Associate, Maine Sea Grant
Morgan C Cuthbert, Educator, Frank H. Harrison Middle School
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Session Title: Moving from Trauma Informed to Trauma Responsive
Session Description:
Learn about the implementation of a trauma responsive approach in an elementary school setting; whole school interventions, community outreach, and staff wellness. The audience will walk away with useful practices that can be implemented immediately, along with long term. Basic ACEs (ACES) training is a prerequisite to this training. With knowledge of Aces, a mind shift takes place into the practical implementation of trauma responsive. Our presentation is not only the response, but how we care for all students, staff members, and our community.
Speakers:
Margaret Pitts, Principal, Biddeford School Department
Andrew Young, Resiliency Coordinator, Biddeford School Department
Wendy LeBlanc, School Counselor, Biddeford School Department
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Session Title: Comprehensive Dual Enrollment in Rural Education
Session Description:
Maranacook is fortunate to have one of the most robust dual enrollment program in New England. Each year over 90% of our seniors graduate with dual enrollment credits and save thousands of dollars on college. Our program is for all levels and accessible to all students. We have developed one of the most comprehensive dual enrollment programs in New England. The programs allow our seniors to graduate with their associate degree from Thomas College before graduating from high school. It saves our taxpayers over $1,500,000 annually. Our session will offer support for those interested in designing their own program or considering options and establish the importance of connections among all stakeholders in the community.
Speakers:
Dwayne Conway, Principal, Maranacook Community High School
Kimberly Ray, School Counselor, Maranacook Community High School
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Session Title: Maine's Micro-Credential Ecosystem - A Key in Maine's "New Normal"
Session Description:
Could Micro-Credentials be the answer to your workforce challenges? In this session, a panel of presenters will discuss this exciting trend in creative partnerships between education, industry, and state stakeholders; why micro-credentials may be the key to employers looking to upskill, reskill, attract new employees; and, what micro-credentials can mean for Maine's economy - especially in tomorrow’s "new normal". The All Learning Counts Grant, awarded by Lumina Foundation to the University of Maine System and its statewide partners in October of 2019, aims to build clearer pathways to degrees and other credentials for adults, especially for people of color. The desire to ensure that knowledge, skills, and abilities gained outside of formal higher education through work and other experiences can be recognized and applied toward programs leading to credentials of value prompted the collaboration to create an ecosystem in Maine for working in the emerging new learning sphere called "micro credentialing".
Speakers:
Claire Sullivan, PhD, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Innovation in Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials, University of Maine System
Gail Senese, Ph.D, State Director, Office of Adult Education, Maine Department of Education
Lisa Larson, Ph.D., President, Eastern Maine Community College
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Session Title: Transforming Talent, Infrastructure, and Innovation in Maine
Session Description:
Ideas, data, and priorities for Maine's future presented by the Economic Recovery Committee.
Speakers:
Laurie Lachance, President, Thomas College
Joshua Broder, CEO, Tllson
