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Friday, December 11
 

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
JB

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 →
BC

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 →
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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 →
NM

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 →
CW

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

1:50pm EST

Creating Seamless Workforce Pathways Through Collaboration and Partnerships
Friday December 11, 2026 1:50pm - 2:40pm EST
Discover how Maine is creating seamless pathways from education to employment through the power of partnership. This interactive panel brings together leaders from K–12 schools, Adult Education, the Maine Community College System, and Educate Maine to share how pre-apprenticeship can successfully lead to Registered Apprenticeship. Using Maine's educator apprenticeship model including the Gorham School District, as a real-world example, participants will learn practical strategies for building "grow your own" talent pipelines, leveraging funding, engaging partners, and launching apprenticeship programs in their own communities. Leave with actionable ideas to strengthen workforce development in any industry.
Speakers
MG

Michelle Gayne

Apprenticeship Navigator, Maine Community College System
Higher Ed Professional.
avatar for Wendy Kostenbauder

Wendy Kostenbauder

Program Manager, Maine Department of Labor
Wendy Kostenbauder is a focused leader with nearly two decades of experience in program administration, strategic planning, and business operations. Currently serving as a Program Manager for the Maine Apprenticeship Program, she excels in overseeing grant activities, developing performance... Read More →
Friday December 11, 2026 1:50pm - 2:40pm EST
  Breakout Session

1:50pm EST

Maine's Advantage: Leveraging Partnerships to Fuel Maine Career Pathways
Friday December 11, 2026 1:50pm - 2:40pm EST
Discover how the Maine Career Pathways (MCP) initiative is supporting workforce development through a powerful statewide collaboration and framework. This session explores how our innovative pilots in healthcare and early childhood education are bridging the gap between learners and high-demand careers. Participants will gain firsthand insights into our four-part framework and help shape the next phase of MCP. Together, we will identify new sectors and strategic partnerships to expand career-connected learning and support Maine’s workforce goals. 
Speakers
SD

Samantha Dina

Associate Commissioner, Maine Department of Labor
Samantha Dina is a workforce and education policy leader with deep experience building statewide career pathways systems. As Associate Commissioner at the Maine Department of Labor, she convened and led the Workforce Cabinet to align workforce, education, and economic development... Read More →
JC

Jason C. Libby

Education Pathways and Early College Coordinator, Maine Department of Education
Jason C. Libby, Ph.D. is the Education Pathways and Early College Coordinator in the Office of Workforce Development and Innovative Pathways at the Maine Department of Education. Libby administers two early college programs funded by the Department, the State’s education disruption... Read More →
TR

Tamara Ranger

Director, Office of Workforce Development and Innovative Pathways, Maine Department of Education
Tamara Ranger serves as the Director of the Office of Workforce Development and Innovative Pathways at the Maine Department of Education. Tamara oversees a comprehensive portfolio including Adult Education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Education Pathways & Early College... Read More →
Friday December 11, 2026 1:50pm - 2:40pm EST
  Breakout Session

1:50pm EST

The State Board of Ed Could Not Operate Without Partnerships
Friday December 11, 2026 1:50pm - 2:40pm EST
The Maine State Board of Education is an autonomous agency that formulates policy, advises the commissioner, and enforces regulations relating to pK-12 and higher education. Our four standing committees address school construction, certification and higher education, career and technical education, and student voices and we partner with organizations, higher education institutions, teachers and administrators, the Legislature, and the MDOE. We work in a public, transparent way on issues that matter to every student, teacher, administrator and staff member of all public schools in Maine. Yet many Mainers are unaware or uncertain of our work.
Speakers
avatar for Paulette Bonneau

Paulette Bonneau

Chair, Maine State Board of Education
Paulette Bonneau is a resident of Biddeford.  She attended Stonehill College and received her bachelor's degree in Psychology.  Upon graduating, Paulette became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker focusing on Mental Health and Substance abuse.  At the same time, Paulette worked as a School Socia... Read More →
DF

Dr. Fern Desjardins

Member, Chair of the School Construction Committee, Maine State Board of Education
Fern M.Y. Desjardins is a resident of St. Agatha.  Fern had a 43-year career in PK-12 education as an elementary school teacher, principal, and Superintendent of Schools in the rural, small school system of MSAD 33.  During her principalship, Dr. Levesque Elementary School was designated a Blue Rib... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Tom Keller

Dr. Tom Keller

Vice Chair, Chair of the Certification and Higher Ed Committee, Maine State Board of Education
Thomas E. (Tom) Keller is a resident of Newcastle.  Tom has worked in education for over three decades.  He was a Senior Research Scientist at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance in Augusta, Maine, as well as director of the Reach Center project on science out-of-school learning from 2011 until... Read More →
avatar for Ed Morin

Ed Morin

Member, Chair of the CTE Committee, Maine State Board of Education
Edmond Morin is a Maine native who graduated from Mt. Blue High School in 1970 before going to the University of Maine Orono where he received his BA in speech with a broadcast concentration.  It was during that time he first became involved with public broadcasting. He served as an intern for w... Read More →
Friday December 11, 2026 1:50pm - 2:40pm EST
  Breakout Session

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
avatar for Heidi Cian

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 →
avatar for Kristine McCallister

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 →
LS

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
 
2026 Educate Maine Symposium
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Friday, December 11
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