2026 Educate Maine Symposium: Full Schedule

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

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

Michelle Gayne

Apprenticeship Navigator, Maine Community College System

Higher Ed Professional.

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

Who You'll Hear From Higher Education, State Government
Subject Educator Workforce, Post-Secondary Pathways

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