Educate Maine

Selecting Maine's Teacher of the Year is a rigorous process. Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education are so grateful to all who make that process possible! Big thanks to: Bangor Savings Bank; Hannaford; Unum; the Maine Lottery; the Dead River Co.; Geiger; and the Silvernail Foundation for your support of the program and of all Maine teachers.

We’re thrilled to introduce Maine’s 2025 Teacher of the Year! Becky Hallowell, whose love of the outdoors, place-based and project-focused learning has led to student success for 30 years, is a fourth-grade classroom teacher at Wiscasset Elementary School. Congratulations, Becky! We can’t wait to see you thrive in your year of recognition, learning and service.

We could not be more thrilled to introduce Maine's 2025 Teacher of the Year, Becky Hallowell. We asked colleagues and others who know her best how to describe the 4th-grade educator at Wiscasset Elementary. Dedicated, inspiring, vibrant and energetic---these were just some of the adjectives they came up with!

Magical Mystery Tour? Not quite, but the Computer Science Connected Learning Experience IS pretty magical! Our inaugural cohort of CSCLE educators are in the midst of a three-day tour of Maine, visiting employers across the state to learn about the STEM and CS skills necessary for a thriving, robust and innovative economy. A super-cool tour of Maine Grains in Skowhegan kicked off Tuesday. Thanks as always to our partners at Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance !

We're celebrating Charles Barfield and Consumers Fuel Co. of Belfast this week! Charles is the very first apprentice graduate for Educate Maine and Maine Career Catalyst, and he has transitioned to permanent employment with Consumers Fuel, which sponsored his CDL-B commercial driving apprenticeship. He's "not your father's apprentice" either--Charles is 53 years old and commercial driving is his second career. Here's to a long and fulfilling run at one of Belfast's oldest and most respected companies!

The Maine Mobile Biolab team recently worked with the 7 Lakes Alliance to gather water samples in McGrath Pond and Salmon Lake. These samples will be used by students across the state to screen for bacteria and do genetic tests for toxins. Through hands-on learning, students will explore critical life-sciences work, including understanding the impact of human activities on Maine's beloved lakes and waterways.

Does your organization want to partner with Maine's leading voices in education, workforce development and business? You should consider sponsorship of the 2024 Educate Maine Symposium! This annual signature event offers an unparalleled platform for your messaging, and a chance to network with hundreds of the top thinkers and doers in Maine's vibrant economy. To learn more: https://loom.ly/lzt_I2g

Educate Maine's Dolly Sullivan weighs in on the state's teacher shortage in this letter to the Portland Press Herald. "The impact of this shortage extends beyond the classroom. It affects Maine students and families and poses a significant problem for Maine’s economic future. A well-supported educator workforce lays the foundation for a thriving economy." To read more:https://loom.ly/GhDx4io

A new report shows that the "looming" teacher shortage in Maine isn't looming any more-it's here. To read the report: https://loom.ly/IRG-2oA

You've seen the back-to-school lists: they're everywhere this time of year! It's easy to find tips on everything from school lunches to the best backpacks. We asked our amazing County Teachers of the Year -- and the Maine Teacher of the Year -- to weigh in with their best out-of-the-box tips for an amazing new school year. Read more: https://loom.ly/P8SLTK8 #maineteacheroftheyear