2026 Educate Maine Symposium: Full Schedule

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

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

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

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 →

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 →

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