Professional Learning Schedule

Numeracy Professional Learning Opportunities

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Maine’s Statewide Mathematics Specialist Professional Learning Community

The Numeracy and Leadership Initiative, hosted by the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Maine (ATOMIM), in collaboration with the Maine DOE, University of Southern Maine, and University of Maine at Farmington, offers multiple opportunities for educators to build capacity in both numeracy and leadership. One of these is Maine’s Statewide Mathematics Specialist Professional Learning Community (PLC).

• Audience: Math coaches, lead teachers, interventionists, and department chairs
• Dates: Participants may choose to attend all sessions or select those that best meet their needs. The Mathematics Specialist PLC will meet on the following dates:
  • April 30, 2026, from 2-5 p.m. (in-person at the University of Southern Maine in Lewiston/Auburn)
  • May 21, 2026, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (virtually via Zoom)

Sign up here

Literacy Professional Learning Opportunities

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Roots and Stories - Storytelling Through Maine Artifacts

Roots and Stories: Storytelling through Maine Artifacts is designed to support teachers in transforming local artifacts, such as photographs, tools, letters, works of art, and everyday objects, into powerful learning experiences for students. By engaging with these artifacts, students can uncover the stories of their communities while strengthening literacy and making meaningful interdisciplinary connections.

During this six-week cohort experience, up to 50 Maine educators will collaborate with experts from the Maine Humanities Council and the Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Team to explore how artifacts can spark inquiry, storytelling, and creativity in the classroom. Participants will engage in strategies that support literacy across content areas, research and listening skills, and the role of storytelling in learning. They will also examine artistic approaches to narrative expression through the visual and performing arts. Educators will be supported in designing classroom experiences in which students create multi-genre products that bring community stories to life through creative expression.

• Audience: pre-K-12 educators
• Dates: Kickoff May 4, 2026, Deering Building, Augusta, ME
• Time:8:00 am to 4:00 pm
• Followed by virtual workshops on: May 5, May 12, May 19, and May 26 from 3:30 to 4:30.  All sessions will be recorded and posted to the DOE learning management system EnGiNE

Renee Keul will explore the connection between literacy and mapmaking by engaging educators in analyzing and creating maps. This workshop models how spatial reasoning, data visualization, and critical thinking support reading, writing, and communication across content areas, reinforcing literacy as a shared responsibility. This workshop strengthens foundational literacy skills such as decoding symbols, building vocabulary, sequencing ideas, and making meaning across texts through hands-on, interdisciplinary learning.

• Audience: Pk-12 Educators
• Date: April 17, 2026, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Location: Osher Map Library in Portland (or virtually via Zoom)
• Contact Hours: seven hours available

Sign up here

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Integrating Literacy with Objects and Writing

Deb Johnson and Ronni Blaisdell will share strategies for using real-world artifacts and natural materials to support foundational reading and writing skills. By modeling object-based learning grounded in authentic texts and materials, this workshop demonstrates how interdisciplinary, hands-on instruction strengthens literacy development across grade levels and content areas. This workshop builds vocabulary, comprehension, and writing stamina through close observation and inquiry.

• Audience: pre-K-12 educators
• Date: April 10, 2026, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Location: Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel (or virtually via Zoom)
• Contact Hours: seven hours available    

Sign up here

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Reaching Reluctant Readers

Cris Tovani will explore why students disengage from reading and how educators can remove barriers to learning. Grounded in research-based strategies for knowledge building and comprehension, the session equips educators with practical tools to support confident, independent readers across content areas. This workshop addresses engagement, motivation, and access as essential components of effective literacy instruction, particularly for students who are reluctant or struggling readers.

• Audience: pre-K-12 educators
• Date: May 15, 2026, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Location: Camp Chamberlain in Augusta (or virtually via Zoom)
• Contact Hours: seven hours available 

Sign up here

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Virtual Support Hours

Virtual support will be available on Thursdays following each workshop. These sessions are open to all educators, regardless of whether they attended the corresponding workshops, and are designed to support the application of learning through collaboration, reflection, and shared problem-solving.

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Integrating Literacy with Mapmaking
February 26 through April 9, 2026, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. – Zoom registration link
This is an informal space to explore how map analysis and creation can strengthen vocabulary, comprehension, and meaning-making across content areas, reinforcing literacy as a shared responsibility.

Integrating Literacy with Objects and Writing
April 16 through May 7, 2026, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. –Zoom registration link
This is a supportive forum to reflect on and apply hands-on strategies that build engagement, motivation, and access to literacy through object-based learning and writing.

Reaching Reluctant Readers
May 14 through June 4, 2026, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. – Zoom registration link
This is an open forum to extend learning from Cris Tovani’s strategies for engagement and comprehension. Educators can share challenges and explore ways to remove barriers to reading and support confident, independent literacy development.