The University of Maine at Presque Isle will celebrate educational innovation in Maine schools when it hosts a Learning from Maine screening and panel presentation on Monday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m. in the Campus Center. One of six screenings being held across Maine, the UMPI event will feature a Learning from Maine episode focused on Limestone Community School (LCS), followed by a panel discussion with County educators. The public is invited to attend this free event.
Learning from Maine is a documentary video project from Maine Loves Public Schools (MLPS), a statewide campaign led by a coalition of educational organizations. Its goal is to share stories of educational innovation and achievement from inside Maine classrooms with families and communities.
Hosted by former Maine principal Derek Pierce, the project showcases exciting educational practices underway at four Maine schools—Casco Bay High School, Foster Career and Technical Education Center, Telstar Freshman Academy, and LCS. An hour-long special featuring all four schools airs on Maine Public Television on Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. and rebroadcasts on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.
During the screening at UMPI, event participants will learn about the bold strategy LCS undertook to transform school climate and boost attendance: redesigning the middle school curriculum with a focus on nature and the outdoors. Students head outside nearly every day, learning science and math as they undertake a wide variety of activities, including tapping maple trees, canoeing, and gardening.
Immediately following the screening, participants will enjoy a panel presentation moderated by Learning from Maine Executive Producer Robbie Feinberg and featuring Dr. Wendi Malenfant, UMPI Education Program Director and Associate Professor of Education, and two educators from Limestone, Caroline Reed, Limestone Community School Grade 7/8 Math & Science Teacher and Melissa Doucette, Limestone Community School Grade 5/6 Math & Science Teacher.
“We hope that Learning from Maine will provide a deeper view into what our educators see every day: the transformational power of education to bring communities together and change the lives of our kids and families,” said Eileen King, the executive director of the Maine School Superintendents Association, one of the core organizations helping to lead the effort.
To learn more about Learning from Maine, including screenings to be held in other parts of the state, visit www.mainelovespublicschools.org/learning-from-maine.
About Maine Loves Public Schools (MLPS): The mission of Maine Loves Public Schools is to “document, curate and share stories from within our school communities.” The campaign is spearheaded by: Maine School Boards Association (MSBA); Maine School Superintendents Association (MSSA); Maine Principals’ Association (MPA); Maine Curriculum Leaders’ Association (MCLA); Maine Association for Career and Technical Education (MACTE); and Maine Association of School Business Officials (MEASBO). For two years, MLPS has solicited and shared stories from hundreds of ambassadors – educators and community members who share stories from within their classrooms. “Learning from Maine” is the latest step to document and share these stories across Maine.