What Holds Us Together

Adult education programs offer opportunity, connection, and empowerment to students from all ages and backgrounds. Commissioner Makin recently met with students and instructors from Franklin County Adult Education. This month’s episode highlights a panel discussion with students from that visit, ranging from those looking to adult education for high school completion programs to those learning the skills they need to open businesses or switch careers. They share life-changing experiences and showcase the ways that adult education is another powerful example of how public education holds us together. Please note that the audio is distorted in certain parts of the podcast due to the recording environment, but we wanted to bring you these stories directly from the adult education students. 

Public education is the cornerstone of our society and truly does hold us together. This month, Commissioner Makin is joined by two champions of public education: Steve Bailey, Executive Director of the Maine School Boards Association and Miranda Engstrom, 2023 Hancock County Teacher of the Year and literacy specialist at Lamoine Consolidated School. They talk about the importance of lifting up the voices of educators and sharing the amazing things happening in schools across Maine through their Maine Loves Public Schools and #LoveMaineSchools campaigns. Elevating educator and school voices is critical to strengthening support and knowledge of public education in Maine so please join these efforts!

Schools across Maine are using the BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) model to strengthen relationships, improve student and educator well-being, and help students thrive academically and in their lives. Commissioner Makin talks with Mary Anne Spearin, Superintendent for the Calais School Department, and Sue Carter, Principal at Calais Elementary School, about implementing BARR across their district and the intersection of data and relationship building to support student success.

Career and Technical Education schools (CTEs) provide Maine students with hands-on experiences in programs like culinary arts, welding, auto, law enforcement, early childhood education, and many more. This month, Commissioner Makin talks with three CTE leaders about this engaging learning pathway: Randy Crockett from Oxford Hills Technical School, Bobby Deetjen from Mid-Coast School of Technology, and Bill Tracy from Hancock County Technical Center. They share how CTEs help students build the skills, knowledge, and real-world experiences they need to thrive. 

Meet the Kelley brothers, a computer science education duo teaching students at Nokomis Middle School and Nokomis High School. In this episode, Commissioner Makin talks to Keith and Kern Kelley about innovative, interdisciplinary computer science education efforts in Maine. In their words, computer science isn’t separate, it’s part of everything. Maine continues to lead as the only state offering integrated, hands-on computer science education to all students at all grade levels.

This month, Commissioner Makin talks to educators about ways to improve staff and student wellbeing, increase student engagement, and be regulated. Guests Jenn Whitney, Cecilia Dube, and Sierra Blake were among 600+ Maine teachers trained in the Regulated Classroom approach, and they shared how they are using the research-based tools and techniques in their classrooms and training other educators on wellbeing and regulation strategies. 

This month, Commissioner Makin speaks with Sarah Hinson and Liam Hannah, two students who she recently met during a visit to Yarmouth High School to learn more about their Extended Learning Opportunities. Extended Learning Opportunities, or ELOs, allow students to explore their passions through hands-on, interdisciplinary applied learning. Sarah is getting school credit and paid work experience at Portland Veterinary Hospital, and Liam engaged in a summer ELO to build and program a serving robot. ELOs offer students many creative and flexible opportunities to explore what they are passionate about and gain knowledge and skills that will set them up for success in life. 

A conversation with 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year Matt Bernstein and new 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard

The Maine Department of Education is excited to launch What Holds Us Together, a new podcast celebrating Maine schools. Each month, Commissioner Pender Makin will highlight the inspiring and amazing things happening in Maine schools through conversations with educators, school staff, and students across our state. Public education is a precious and profound common good we share. Join us as we explore and celebrate the ways that local schools impact students and build connections with the community around them.