2024 Educate Maine Symposium: Full Schedule

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10:00am EST

Stepping into Career Pathways with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Friday December 13, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am EST

Over the past 10 years, Vocational Rehabilitation Services have evolved and grown exponentially for transition aged youth with disabilities through both Pre-Employment Transition Services (PreETS) and individualized programming. Through an interactive discussion and presentation participants will learn what Pre-Employment Transition Services are, and how PreETS engage youth with disabilities, community partners, and businesses. They will discover ways they might be able to partner with VR to build career pathways and build skills for youth with disabilities. Participants will better understand the partnership among Dept of Education, Dept of Corrections, Dept of Health and Human Services, and Dept of Labor and how they support employment and careers for youth with disabilities.

Speakers

Shannon Burns

Rehabilitation Consultant, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Amanda Muller

Apprenticeship Navigator, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services

Amanda is a vocational rehabilitation professional with over seven years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving meaningful employment.As an Apprenticeship Navigator for the Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation Services under the Department of Labor, she focuses... Read More →

Caitlin McGouldrick

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, ivision of Vocational Rehabilitation

Friday December 13, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am EST
Lincoln

Strong Student Outcomes, Inclusion

11:10am EST

Inspiring Inclusion & Creating Cultures of Neuroinclusion

Friday December 13, 2024 11:10am - 12:00pm EST

Lincoln

This will be a combination session in which you will hear from two different presenters, Pasha Marlowe and Miranda Engstrom. Descriptions of their individual presentations, ~25 minutes each, are below.

Pasha Marlowe: Cultures of neuroinclusion live at the intersection of neurodiversity, disability, mental health, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. Participants will learn the inclusive and non-pathlogizing language of neuroinclusion and the importance of shifting away from the pathology paradigm and towards the neurodiversity paradigm. The expansive neurodivergent umbrella, apparent and non-apparent disabilities, and the need to be both neurodiversity affirming and LGBTQIA+ affirming will be highlighted. In this highly impactful, interactive, and engaging presentation, participants will learn frameworks and actionable tools to create cultures of neuroinclusion at work, school, and home. There will be an opportunity for sharing of case studies, resources, and lived experiences as well as Q and A.

Miranda Engstrom: Through innovative and collaborative partnerships, Maine Odyssey of the Mind was one of three teams in the world to pilot Odyssey Inclusive in 2024, a creative problem solving program for neurodiverse students, aged K-22. An opportunity for students to showcase a performance in one of three ways, solve a spontaneous problem, and be successful in the way they present to an audience, students of all kinds can partake in the performing arts in an inclusive and meaningful way. According to several therapies and ongoing research projects, such as those within the Speech Pathology and Language Therapy/Communications, groundbreaking research for students that struggle with communication disorders benefit tremendously by taking part in Performing Arts. See how you can work within your school to bring these programs to your school to help revolutionize your school's inclusive climate and bring leadership development to all students, regardless of abilities or characteristics and foster teamwork and creativity with all students.

Speakers

Jason Wheeler

Association Director, Maine Odyssey of the Mind

Miranda Engstrom

Teacher, Lamoine Consolidated School

Miranda Engstrom is a proud Maine educator with 17 years of experience. Formerly a Kindergarten teacher, she now serves as a Literacy Specialist at Lamoine Consolidated School teaching Reading Recovery, Title 1 and Gifted and Talented. Her commitment to inclusive education shines... Read More →

Pasha Marlowe, MFT

CEO, Neurobelonging

I am the proud author of the best selling book "Creating Cultures of Neuroinclusion: A Framework for Peopling and Engaging Neurodiverse Talent. I enjoy traveling the world to present to schools and organizations about neuroinclusion and neurodiversity-affirming practices. My work... Read More →

Friday December 13, 2024 11:10am - 12:00pm EST
Lincoln

Strong Student Outcomes, Inclusion

1:50pm EST

Teach Maine Center: Shaping the Future of Education Together

Friday December 13, 2024 1:50pm - 2:40pm EST

Lincoln

Since fall 2023, Teach Maine Center staff have embarked on a statewide listening tour, connecting with more than 240 teachers across 16 counties to explore why they chose teaching, what sustains their commitment, and how we can attract and retain more educators in our state. We have more than 50 pages of insights on the joys, challenges, and motivators that drive Maine's educators. Join us to hear the findings, share your feedback on the recommendations based on what we heard from educators, and help shape the next phase of the Teach Maine Center's development. This journey is just beginning!

Speakers

Dolly Sullivan

Program Director, Educate Maine

State Coordinator for the Maine Teacher of the Year program.

Marcus Mrowka

Victura Strategies

Friday December 13, 2024 1:50pm - 2:40pm EST
Lincoln

Educator Workforce

3:00pm EST

Enhancing Early Childhood Education: The Role and Impact of Mixed Delivery Public Pre-K Programs

Friday December 13, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST

Lincoln

Join us for an engaging session exploring the transformative potential of mixed delivery public Pre-K programs in early childhood education. This session will delve into the dynamics, benefits, and challenges of integrating diverse delivery models—such as public schools and private providers and the integration of shared special education services—into a cohesive framework aimed at enhancing educational outcomes for young children.

Participants will gain insights into the strategic advantages of mixed delivery systems, including increased accessibility for families of varying socioeconomic backgrounds and geographic locations. We will examine how these programs uphold rigorous quality standards across different settings, ensuring that all children receive a foundation of learning that prepares them for success in school and beyond.

Speakers

Christine Frost-Bertinet

Assistant Superintendent, RSU #14

Heather Marden

Co-Executive Director, Maine Association for the Education of Young Children

Friday December 13, 2024 3:00pm - 3:50pm EST
Lincoln

Strong Student Outcomes, Early Childhood

2024 Educate Maine Symposium

From $133.46