Latest News

Childcare Advocates Get Big Win in Legislative Committee

In a big win for Maine families and employers, a committee in the legislature today got rid of proposed cuts to childcare-related programs, including a stipend for early childhood workers. Educate Maine is proud to advocate for fair and competitive competition for those who care for and teach our youngest citizens. We urge legislators in Appropriations to follow the strong lead by the Health and Human Services Committee, and work to support childcare in Maine… READ MORE

Supporting Fair and Competitive Teacher Pay

The Teach Maine Center and Educate Maine have found that teacher salaries--on the low end of the scale nationally--make it difficult to retain and recruit classroom educators. This week Executive Director Jason Judd joined others in advocating for higher minimum salaries for Maine teachers.  https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/26/maine-educators-ask-legislature-to-approve-minimum-salary-increase/#:~:text=The%20bill%2C%20LD%2034%2C%20would,the%202029%2D30%20school%20year.   READ MORE

Advocating for Child Care and Early Education

Maine's budget debate brought childcare advocates to Augusta this week to speak in support of high quality, accessible care and early education for all Mainers. Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd and Director of Special Projects Kim Russell both submitted testimony, noting that this foundational service benefits families, employers and especially, our youngest Mainers.  Supporting opinions have been published in Maine newspapers as the Legislature considers the state budget.  The… READ MORE

Maine Mobile Biolab Celebrates One Year on the Road

Hard to believe it's been 365 days, 12 months, 26 schools, 100 teachers, more than 5,000 students and 13 industry partners! Happy anniversary to Maine's Mobile Biolab. This laboratory classroom may be one of Maine’s most recognizable rolling landmarks, second only to L.L. Bean's Boot trucks (we love you, L.L. Bean, but you don't have life science lessons onboard). The Biolab had a stellar first year, launching her journey first at the State House in Augusta, with a star-studded legislative… READ MORE

Annual CS Summer of Fun PD week for educators - July 21-25

Calling All Educators! Come for in-person, professional learning focused on all things computer science (CS) hosted by MMSA and Educate Maine on Husson University’s campus in Bangor during the week of July 21.   **Open to all K-12 educators & administrators - NO CS experience needed!** Choose ONE  Learning Pathway Pick from: CS Integration, a two-day School Administrators offering, two Code.org Intensive courses: AP Computer Science A and Computer Science… READ MORE

Bath Educator Honored With "Oscar for Teaching"

Amid raucous middle-school cheers, a seventh-grade teacher from Bath was honored this week with the prestigious Milken Educator Award, bestowed annually on top teachers around the country. Micah Depper was surprised with the honor at an assembly at Bath Middle School, where he teaches science. The recognition, for years known as the nation's preeminent education award, comes with a $25,000 check and trip to California, where Depper will participate in a forum with other classroom leaders. In… READ MORE

Mentoring Makes a Difference

What's the "secret sauce" that can enhance work experience, teach valuable skills and inspire workers and learners to greater success? Many believe that ingredient is very simple: mentoring relationships in the workplace.  January is National Mentoring Month, celebrating mentors and mentees in roles and businesses across the country. Educate Maine would like to celebrate some of our very own, whose successes in Maine Career Catalyst programs (including registered apprenticeships) can be… READ MORE

Social Security Reform a Boon for Maine Teachers

One of the biggest barriers to teacher recruitment and retention in Maine has been lifted with a stroke of President Joe Biden’s pen. Starting this month, retired teachers and numerous other public employees can get the full Social Security benefits they have earned—which have been denied to them for years under a federal law designed to prevent “double dipping” in retirement funds. On Jan. 5, the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law, repealing the Windfall… READ MORE

Supporting Child Care and Early Childhood Ed in Maine

Early childhood education and reliable, skilled childcare are foundational for Maine's workforce and our growing economy. Read what Washington County 2024 Teacher of the Year Ashley Cirone had to say about this important issue in the Bangor Daily News. https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/01/16/opinion/opinion-contributor/urgent-need-quality-early-care-education-in-maine-joam40zk0w/   f READ MORE

Symposium 2024 In the Books

Education Symposium 2024 brought hundreds of educators, business leaders and policymakers together last week to tackle the topic of innovation in education and workforce development. More than 450 attendees and presenters gathered Friday, Dec. 13 at Maine’s largest annual education event, presented by Educate Maine. This year’s theme was “Innovation,” featuring presentations on skills training, teacher workforce development, and amplifying student voices. Among the highlights were a… READ MORE