Latest News

Legislators Hear Support for Aquaculture Pioneers, Workforce Programs

This week Maine legislators heard important testimony from EM's Workforce Development Specialist Meg Krieger, who spoke in favor of LD1023, a bill to support workforce development such as the Aquaculture Pioneers program. Krieger told the lawmakers that this valuable annual program has more than three times as many applicants this summer than it has slots to fill--a sure sign of the program's value and popularity. Through this program, we provide participants with on-the-job training at farms… READ MORE

IACE seeks schools to participate in PROACT CS Longitudinal Study

Do you want evidence that your students are learning computer science? Do you want to learn how students' perspectives about computer science are changing? Do you want to receive an annual report that provides this information with recommendations at no cost?   In collaboration with a broader consortium of non-profits, departments of education, industry, and researchers, the Institute for Advancing Computing Education (IACE) is currently recruiting high schools and… READ MORE

Child Care in Maine Is a Business Issue

This week the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce heard from a panel of experts about the critical need for high quality, accessible child care in Maine. Turns out, it's a business issue that is everybody's business--families, employers and educators. Panelist Kim Russell, Educate Maine's Director of Special Projects, explained how caring for and educating Maine's youngest citizens is foundational for a robust workforce. Here are two media reports of Thursday's "Eggs and Issues"… READ MORE

Childcare in Maine is Everybody's Business

Join the Portland Community Chamber of Commerce for Eggs & Issues on Thursday, March 13th from 7:00 - 9:00AM for a vital discussion panel on child care, the workforce behind the workforce. Maine’s childcare industry is at a breaking point—providers struggle to retain staff without driving up costs for families, creating one of the biggest barriers to workforce recruitment and retention.As the Legislature consider changes to Maine’s childcare system, businesses have a unique opportunity to… READ MORE

Honoring Maine Teachers

If Maine's recent high winds hadn't been howling so loudly Saturday night, you might have heard the cheers and applause erupting in Bangor as Educate Maine and the state Department of Education celebrated Maine's 2024 county teachers of the year.  The 11th annual Education Gala on March 8 was a time not only to recognize last year's incredible cohort of top teachers (including 2024 state Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard and 2025 TOY Becky Hallowell) but to honor the professional and personal… READ MORE

Celebrating National Women in Construction Week

Happy Women in Construction Week! Did you know that many employers in Maine's building trades sector are actively recruiting women to join this critical workforce? The annual WICW celebration is led by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and shines a spotlight on the contributions of women in the building trades, including leadership, mentors, apprentices, and pre-apprentices. For more information on these programs and how you can be part of building Maine's robust future… READ MORE

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