2026 Educate Maine Symposium: Full Schedule

10:00am EST

Beyond the job posting: Connecting Students, Employers, and Maine's Workforce

Friday December 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EST

Explore how collaboration among employers, higher education, and nonprofit organizations can support career-connected learning through internships. Featuring perspectives from an employer partner, higher education, internship program leadership, and a program alumnus, this session will highlight approaches to building sustainable partnerships, strengthening connections across sectors, and creating opportunities that benefit students, employers, and Maine's workforce. Participants will leave with practical ideas for fostering partnerships that create meaningful experiences for students and support long-term workforce development.

Speakers

Valerie Bennett

Director of Health Professions Advising, Bowdoin College

Valerie joined Bowdoin as Director of Health Professions Advising in 2024. She brings draws upon her teaching experience to advise and guide students through their exploration, preparation for and application to not only medical schools, but dental, vet, PA, nursing and many other... Read More →

Kaitlynn Moloney

Marketing & Logistics Coordinator/Internship Program Coordinator, Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education

Kaitlynn is the Marketing & Logistics Coordinator for the Hanley Center, where she has led the coordination of the organization’s internship program for the past three years. She is committed to pipeline work that strengthens Maine’s healthcare workforce and helping emerging leaders... Read More →

Russell Phillips

Director, Community Engagement, Martin's Point

Russ is the Director of Community Engagement at Martin’s Point Health Care. In this role, he is responsible for leading the development and execution of Community Engagement and Partnership strategies for the organization. He has worked with non-profits for over 20 years and has... Read More →

Judiann Smith

Executive Director, Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education

Judiann is the Executive Director of the Hanley Center. Judiann joined the Hanley Center in April of 2015 after playing a variety of roles at Spurwink, Maine’s largest non-profit mental health agency, over a period of 18 years. At Spurwink, Judiann served in 3 progressively... Read More →

Friday December 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EST

Breakout Session

Who You'll Hear From Business Leader, Community Organization, Higher Education
Subject School-Community Partnerships, Post-Secondary Pathways

10:00am EST

Family Choice, Family Voice: Parent-Led Coaching and the Power of 2Gen Partnerships

Friday December 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EST

Commitment to values drives the success of Family Futures Downeast (FFD), a 2Gen workforce and educational opportunity serving rural and Tribal children and families in Washington County. Highlighting the FFD Coaching model and the relationship with student-parents, this session will explore success factors for building enduring rural partnerships and programs designed and re-designed by the voices of students, families, post-secondary educators and community leaders. Through collaboration, family voice, and research, FFD has informed new efforts for children and families, including new innovations to better support fathers and their relationships with their children by listening to the voices of community members.

Speakers

Jessica McPhail

Operations Manager/Coach, Family Futures Downeast

Jessica joined Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) in the summer of 2016. She has Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Community Studies from the University of Maine at Machias and a Masters degree in Leadership Studies from University of Southern Maine. Jessica earned a certificate... Read More →

Shane Renshaw

Start Up Downeast Program Mangaer/Coach, Family Fuures Downeast

Shane Renshaw joined SCEC in July 2017. He has a Bachelor degree in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction Studies. He was Born and raised in Washington County Maine where he lives with his wife Valerie and two children, Alex and Brianna. Prior to joining SCEC, he worked as... Read More →

Marsha Sloan

Director, Family Futures Downeast

Marsha Maroelli Sloan is the Director of Family Futures Downeast and Start Up Downeast, where she leads two generation education initiatives supporting parents, young children, serving families and individuals across Washington County and Passamaquoddy communities. She manages the... Read More →

Friday December 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EST

Breakout Session

Who You'll Hear From Community Organization
Subject Early Childhood

10:00am EST

Fostering Student Growth and Collective Teacher Efficacy Through Strategic Staffing Models

Friday December 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EST

In a full scale redesign on instructional leadership K-12, MSAD 11 partnered with Great Schools Partnership and Public Impact to actively shift the adult learning culture, redefine collaborative practice, and achieve our intended community-developed mission. After an extensive planning phase, including stakeholder engagement, strategic budgeting, and reallocation of staff, we are seeing promising gains. Collective efficacy is no longer a catch phrase, but a reality. We'll share the formal avenues and structures for transformational instructional leadership we've implemented and the results we are seeing, including reduced burden on staff, increased creativity and stronger community connections across our system.

Speakers

Angela Hardy

Director of Curriculum/Assistant Superintendent, MSAD 11/RSU 11

Angela Hardy is the Assistant Superintendent and Director of Curriculum in MSAD #11. Over the last eight years, she has co-led the district in adopting a strategic plan with significant community engagement. The result built a roadmap for continuous improvement that situated student... Read More →

Freda Keyser

Elementary Teacher and Multi-Classroom Leader, MSAD 11/RSU 11

Freda Keyser is a third grade teacher and multi-classroom leader at River View Community School, a grades 3-5 school in MSAD 11. Freda exudes positive energy, builds authentic collaborative relationships, and fully believes that every child can and will learn. While she holds roles... Read More →

Michelle Milstein

Senior Associate, Great Schools Partnership

Michelle is a Senior Associate with Great Schools Partnership and began her career as an English, ELL, and Spanish teacher. She has worked as a teacher, mentor, and leader in school systems across the country, including Hawaii, California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.Her... Read More →

Angela Smith

Secondary Math Team Leader and Teacher, MSAD 11/RSU 11

Angela Smith is a secondary math teacher, grade 8 team leader, and the co-chair of our professional recertification committee in MSAD 11. Angela is a passionate, committed teacher and colleague - connecting people to each other and community. In her first year as an instructional... Read More →

Jessica Struhs

Consulting Manager, Public Impact

Jessica Struhs is a consulting manager with Public Impact®, focusing primarily on assisting schools and districts with Opportunity Culture® design and implementation to extend the reach of excellent teachers and their teams. Her work supports districts as they create a career... Read More →

Friday December 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EST

Breakout Session

Who You'll Hear From Community Organization, District Administrator, Educator
Subject Educator Workforce

10:00am EST

Preparing Students for Jobs That Don’t Exist Yet: How can Maine Educators work with Maine employers and Universities to stay up to date with the latest careers

Friday December 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EST

The workforce is changing faster than ever. How are we going to encourage students to follow career paths that we don’t know the future of? What about careers that do not exist yet? In this interactive session, Live + Work in Maine will facilitate a conversation between educators, Maine employers, and Maine Universities on preferred methods for keeping educators informed about career options and Maine sectors, what employers are anticipating in their sectors, and how we keep Maine students excited (and not concerned) about their futures.
The goal of the session will be to create partnership opportunities between Maine’s educators and Maine’s workforce to help ensure Maine students do not fall behind on career trends. Alongside this, educators will leave with practical insights on the latest happenings in Maine’s workforce and sectors, as well as what Universities are looking for to take back to their classrooms.

Speakers

Katie Shorey

Director, Live and Work in Maine

Moderator:Katie Shorey is the Director of Engagement at Live + Work in Maine (LWM) and a proud boomerang to the state. She returned to Maine after gaining experience in the political, nonprofit, and consulting sectors in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. Prior to joining LWM, Katie... Read More →

Friday December 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am EST

Breakout Session

Who You'll Hear From Business Leader, Community Organization, Educator, Higher Education
Subject School-Community Partnerships, Post-Secondary Pathways

11:10am EST

Building a Literacy Coalition

Friday December 11, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm EST

The Maine State Library and four other organizations are on a mission to enhance the current and future lives of young children (birth - 5) and their families through the acquisition of literacy skills and recognition of their lifelong importance. Combining forces, these complementary organizations are intentionally meeting families and communities where they are, acknowledging their needs and goals, creating and curating child-centered, strengths-based resources, and evolving accordingly over time. In this interactive session, learn how each organization works to promote literacy, how we are collaborating to build a statewide, sustainable coalition— and why and how you can participate.

Speakers

Janet Boswell

Director of Special Projects, Northeast Region, Reach Out and Read

Janet is the Director of Special Projects for Reach Out and Read’s Northeast Region. A national nonprofit with programs in every state, Reach Out and Read partners directly with practitioners to promote early literacy and relational health during well child visits for children aged... Read More →

Beth Crist

Director, Special Projects, Maine State Library

Beth Crist, Director of Special Projects at the Maine State Library, has been working to support early childhood development in public libraries for over a decade. She passionately advocates for increasing access to library services, such as eliminating fines and fees on library materials... Read More →

Lee Anne Larsen

Director of Early Learning, Maine State Department of Education

Lee Anne Larsen is the Director of Early Learning in Maine’s Department of Education (DOE) where she leads a variety of early learning initiatives and supports early childhood policy and programming development. Holding a BS in Early Childhood Education and Family Studies from... Read More →

Nancy McGinnis

Learning & Literacy Liaison Librarian/VISTA AmeriCorps Volunteer, Maine State Library

Connecting with people and connecting the dots has been a lifelong passion for Nancy McGinnis. She weaves her decades of experience as a Maine children’s librarian and then public library director, freelance writer/photographer, small business entrepreneur and community activist... Read More →

Courtney Waring

Executive Director, Island Readers and Writers

As Executive Director of Island Readers and Writers, Courtney leads the organization’s mission to connect children and communities through books, nurturing a love of reading and learning. She sees curiosity and creativity as essential tools for growth and believes stories have the... Read More →

Friday December 11, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm EST

Breakout Session

Who You'll Hear From Community Organization, State Government
Subject Early Childhood, Curriculum Innovations

11:10am EST

Powerful Pilot Project: a closer look at the CSforME Research-Practice Partnership

Friday December 11, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm EST

CSforME RPP members join forces to study practical challenges, co-develop evidence-based solutions, and shift power dynamics to ensure equity and mutual benefit for rural high schools integrating computer science and computational thinking in Math, Science, ELA, and Social Studies.
Attendees will learn about long-term, intentional collaborations between researchers and practitioners (e.g., school districts, policymakers, and community leaders) and examples of what our pilot project has discovered.

Speakers

Angela Oechslie

Director, STEM Pathways and Innovation, Educate Maine

I lead the Project>Login & Maine Mobile BioLab programs at Educate Maine and love to support teachers as they implement STEM and computer science in their schools. I lead the CSCLE business/bus tour each fall. I am a trained SCRIPT facilitator, the community partner for Girls Who... Read More →

Friday December 11, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm EST

Breakout Session

Who You'll Hear From Community Organization, Educator
Subject Curriculum Innovations, STEM Focus

11:10am EST

The Power of Collaboration: Creating Individualized Pathways Through Education, Business, and Community Partnerships

Friday December 11, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm EST

Discover how collaboration among schools, Career and Technical Education, higher education, businesses, and community organizations can transform student success by creating individualized pathways for every learner. This session highlights practical strategies for building partnerships that expand opportunities through career exploration, dual enrollment, apprenticeships, work-based learning, and student-centered learning experiences. Learn how elevating student voice and choice empowers young people to explore their interests, develop career goals, and take ownership of their futures while creating a seamless connection between education and the workforce.

Speakers

David Dorr

Director, Somerset Career & Technical Center

David Dorr is the Director of the Somerset Career & Technical Center (SCTC) in Skowhegan, Maine. Since 2012, he has led the expansion of career and technical education by developing innovative partnerships with schools, colleges, businesses, and community organizations to create career... Read More →

Dawn Fickett

After School Program Director REACH, MSAD54

Dawn Fickett, M.A. is the Director of Afterschool and Summer Learning Programs for MSAD 54, where she leads the district's REACH Afterschool Program, Camp REACH, and K–8 Summer Learning initiatives. She has developed a trauma-responsive out-of-school time model that expands student... Read More →

Valerie McNamara

Aspire Program Manager, JMG

Valerie McNamara is a dedicated leader with JMG (Jobs for Maine's Graduates), where she is committed to expanding opportunities for Maine students through career exploration, education, and workforce development. Passionate about building strong partnerships among schools, employers... Read More →

Jon Moody

Superintendent, MSAD54

Jonathan D. Moody is the Superintendent of Schools for MSAD 54 in central Maine and a respected educational leader with more than three decades of experience as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. A graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington... Read More →

Friday December 11, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm EST

Breakout Session

Who You'll Hear From Community Organization, District Administrator
Subject School-Community Partnerships, Post-Secondary Pathways, CTE

11:10am EST

Transformation through Collaboration: A Holistic Partnership Approach to Shaping the Future Workforce with Opportunity Youth

Friday December 11, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm EST

Supporting Opportunity Youth in today's workforce requires strong partnerships and innovative, cross-sector collaboration. Join the Catherine Cutler Institute and Educate Maine for a dynamic, dual-perspective workshop exploring how two organizations with trusted relationships—one with systems-involved youth and one with employers—have built a lasting partnership that strengthens outcomes for both. Discover practical strategies for engaging youth and employers, fostering stakeholder buy-in, and creating pathways that promote wellness, retention, and long-term success. Through real-world examples and lessons learned, participants will leave with actionable tools to build sustainable collaborations and expand meaningful employment opportunities for Opportunity Youth.

Speakers

Frances Kirk

Policy Analyst I, Catherine Cutler Institute, Youth & Community Engagement

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Lily Maass

Youth Engagement Coordinator, Catherine Cutler Institute, Youth & Community Engagement

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Shannon Saxby

YLAT Program Director, Catherine Cutler Institute, Youth & Community Engagement

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Friday December 11, 2026 11:10am - 12:00pm EST

Breakout Session

Who You'll Hear From Community Organization
Subject School-Community Partnerships, Post-Secondary Pathways

3:00pm EST

Building Trust-Based Partnerships to Scale Near-Peer Support for First-Generation Students Insights from dual enrollment and early college partnerships that expand academic and career pathways

Friday December 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST

Session Description:

This session will spotlight Let’s Get Ready (LGR’s) approach and our experience partnering with The University of Maine Systems- Early College. We will share insights into how we leverage near-peer coaching to address barriers to enrollment and improve college enrollment and completion rates, and how we use technological solutions to scale human relationships through near-peer coaching. Our model allows us to identify key barriers and early indicators of student setbacks in Dual Enrollment and Early College Pathways.

We will spotlight our partnership with The University of Maine System- Early College, showcasing how their work serves as an intentional on ramp into educational and career pathways. With LGR’s support, their approach supports students in navigating both high school and college systems simultaneously, providing access to two educational systems within one platform. Through a strengths-based advising framework, students are guided in course selection and equipped with the tools needed for a more seamless transition into their educational and career interests and it highlights the power of partnerships through advising and students support through the near-peer coaching and how our cross sector collaboration and partnership aligns institutional supports to expand opportunities for Maine students to explore potential educational and career pathways with purpose, skill, and confidence.

In addition, we will share data describing the student success and equity challenges being addressed, with attention to key metrics and equity gaps. LGR’s work addresses these gaps by providing near-peer coaching and differentiated supports designed to improve outcomes across the postsecondary pipeline. Early results demonstrate promising impact. For example, 88% of UMS Early College students with an LGR coach achieved on-time college enrollment, exceeding both the 81% national average and the 74% average last reported for all UMS students. These outcomes highlight both the challenges students face and the opportunity to address them through scalable, relationship-based supports that strengthen enrollment, persistence, and completion.
These outcomes are possible because of deep integration between LGR and our partners. This includes proactive collaboration and engagement strategies designed to identify student needs early and drive targeted outreach. We focus on utilizing partner-provided data and LGR-sourced data that shapes how LGR designs and delivers student support. This includes building data-sharing systems, identifying key indicators that flag student needs, and developing customized coaching strategies, curricular interventions, and staff outreach plans aligned to partner-specific trends and challenges.
Specific collaborative practices will be outlined, including:

Whole cohort enrollment and integrated data-sharing agreements that expand access to support at scale
Customized and differentiated curriculum, and individualized interventions and escalation supports that address challenges earlier and more effectively
Consistent, collaborative data reviews leading to continuous improvement practices that strengthen advising and student support structures.

Together, these strategies not only improve student outcomes

Speakers

Miah Lugrand

Director of Partner Success & Enrollment, Let's Get Ready

Miah Lugrand serves as the Director of Partner Success & Enrollment at Let’s Get Ready, bringing over 20 years of experience across K–12 and higher education. Throughout her career, she has supported students through special education leadership, served as a Director of Special... Read More →

Kari Suderley

Director of Early College Programs, The University of Maine Systems-Early College

A passionate learner, leader, and advocate for helping people reach their potential, Kari Suderley, originally from Ohio, relocated to Maine in 1999 and has spent her professional career helping individuals navigate educational, career, and life transitions while working to create... Read More →

Friday December 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST

Breakout Session

Who You'll Hear From Community Organization, Higher Education
Subject School-Community Partnerships, Post-Secondary Pathways

3:00pm EST

Connecting Students with Local Energy Careers – Establishing, Maintaining, and Sustaining Partnerships

Friday December 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST

Audiences for this session will explore how to identify and collaborate with workforce mentors in ways that connect their students with local topics and opportunities in clean energy and energy efficiency. We will share strategies from the Rural Energy Futures program that has effectively integrated career connections and energy topics in middle and high school classrooms with the authentic participation of professionals in the field. Attendees will adapt strategies to their context and exchange feedback, leaving with ready-to-use tools, relationships, and strategies.

Speakers

Heidi Cian

Research Team Lead, Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance

Heidi Cian is the Research Team Lead at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA). She is nationally recognized for her research in formal and informal STEM education through committee appointments at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and her editorial... Read More →

Kristine McCallister

Workforce Development Coordinator, Maine Department of Energy Resources

Kristine McCallister is the Workforce Development Coordinator at the Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER). She brings 10 years of experience in workforce development, grant management, and conservation education. At Maine DOER, Kristine serves as an analyst and coordinator... Read More →

Lindsey Schortz

Teacher, Belfast Community Outreach Program (BCOPE)

Lindsey Schortz has been teaching at Belfast Community Outreach Program (BCOPE), RSU 71’s alternative high school program, for the past seven years. She is the Lead Science and Math teacher in the program and has become integral to the success of the students while engaging them... Read More →

Friday December 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST

Breakout Session

Who You'll Hear From Community Organization, Educator, State Government
Subject School-Community Partnerships, STEM Focus, Post-Secondary Pathways

3:00pm EST

From Classroom to Career: The Power of Cross-Sector Partnerships

Friday December 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST

In a panel discussion moderated by Junior Achievement of Maine’s Program Team members, the panel will hear diverse perspectives from a school district partner, a business volunteer partner, and a student participant. Together, these panelists will share their experiences and insights, illustrating what is possible when schools, employers, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations work together to create scalable, meaningful experiences that strengthen career readiness and expand student’s awareness of future education and career opportunities.

Speakers

Jesseca Steele

Senior Program Manager, Junior Achievement of Maine

Jesseca Steele, Senior Program Manager for Junior Achievement of Maine, leads and delivers educational programs that inspire and prepare young people for their future work and career success. Jesseca is passionate about creating impactful learning opportunities and leverages her experience... Read More →

Mikaela Ziobro

Program Manager, Junior Achievement of Maine

Mikaela Ziobro joins JA as a Program Manager coming from a two-decade career in higher education.
Mikaela has a passion for expanding educational access and career exploration pathways for youth. She holds a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Southern M... Read More →

Friday December 11, 2026 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST

Breakout Session