MEA Updates – Spring 2024
“My Hero Works at School” Essay Contest The MEA is pleased to join with the Portland Sea Dogs for its annual “My Hero Works at School” essay contest. Students are encouraged to write a short essay, no more than 300 words, about their school hero. Two winners will be...
From MEA’s Executive Director – Rachelle Bristol
A Look Inside As I write this, the sun is shining, and it is a pleasant day in March, reminding me that spring is just around the corner. The days are getting longer and progressively warmer. Flowers are starting to flirt with popping up and bringing their promise of...
President’s Letter – Spring 2024
Amazed Grace I imagine you’re familiar with the song, “Amazing Grace”? Well, for me, the title should be “Amazed Grace,” because it’s all of you who amaze me! Over the last few weeks, I had more opportunities than usual to meet with and spend time with many more of...
PERSPECTIVES: The Importance of Shared Governance at the University
By Paul Johnson, Professor, University of Southern Maine and Jacqueline Edmondson, USM President The concept of shared faculty governance, wherein the faculty and administrators have responsibilities in the decision-making processes of the University, is a unique and...
Healing and Change in the Aftermath of Tragedy
In the halls and classrooms of schools in Lewiston, Auburn and the surrounding communities where some families were locked down during school conferences that horrible day in October, children are now back to learning and staff are working through the process of how...
Winter Conference Lessons Learned
MEA hosted its annual Winter Conference in early December. Members gathered for a full day of free professional development, taking away many lessons on a variety of topics from Assertive Communication Strategies to Mentoring to Union Contract Guidance. If you...
Protecting Your Voice: Navigating Challenges in Today’s Classroom
As an educator, whether you like it or not, you are held to higher standards within the community. What you do or don’t say as an educator can have implications on your livelihood, even if you’re not on the job when you speak up. This is especially important as...
Teaching While Scared
Violent student outbursts are putting educators at risk. By: Brenda Álvarez, Senior Writer, NEA Today and Giovanna Bechard, MEA Communications DirectorFirst Appeared In NEA Today We put up with these working conditions and keep showing up "for the kids", but those...
Cook’s Corner – Best Practices in Mentoring
Maine teachers new to the profession are required to have a mentor for two years. Those new to a district are required to have a mentor for one year. While discussions surrounding teacher recruitment are essential, it is also important to understand how we best retain...
The Maine Educator is the nationally recognized award-winning official quarterly publication mailed to the households of approximately 23,000 Maine Education Association members. The Maine Educator is published four times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer).