MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE and the University of Maine Announce New Teach Maine Scholarships for Educators

Educators Can Utilize Scholarship to Complete Summer Coursework Required for Certification

Augusta, ME-Maine educators and aspiring educators can now access Teach Maine Scholarships to complete coursework required for certification over the summer. The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has partnered with the University of Maine System to cover tuition costs for eligible educators who complete qualifying summer coursework through a University of Maine school.

The Teach Maine Scholarships are open to educators residing in Maine who are currently teaching on conditional or emergency certification or who are actively working toward certification. Participating educators can choose from a wide range of courses, including online options, with various start and end dates to accommodate diverse summer schedules. This flexibility ensures that educators can pursue coursework while balancing their other commitments. Registration for eligible courses is already underway and will be funded on a first-come-first-serve basis.

"We're excited to partner with the University of Maine System to make it easier for educators across Maine to complete the courses they need for certification," said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. "The Department is committed to doing everything we can to attract those who want to teach in our schools and support the amazing educators currently in our classrooms."

"We are thrilled to collaborate with the Maine Department of Education on the Teach Maine Scholarships, which reflect our shared commitment to fostering a strong and well-prepared educator workforce," said Chancellor of the University of Maine System, Dannel Malloy. "By offering flexible course options and covering tuition costs, we are making it easier for educators to achieve certification and continue their professional growth. This partnership underscores our dedication to educational excellence and support for teachers across the state."

Educators can utilize the Teach Maine Scholarships to cover four out of the 23 courses that qualify for the program. These courses address the cultural diversity, exceptionalities, human development, or methods requirements for teaching certification in Maine. Educators can view the course options here.

Eligible educators interested in the program should fill out this application form with the University of Maine System. Once approved, participants will pay any applicable registration, application, or materials fees. Upon successful completion of the coursework, the Maine DOE will cover the cost of tuition and will send those funds directly to the University of Maine System. Educators have until September 30, 2024, to complete coursework.

The Teach Maine Scholarships build on the Maine DOE's wide-ranging efforts to recruit, retain, and support a vibrant educator workforce, including the Teach Maine framework, a national Live and Teach in Maine advertising effort with Live and Work in Maine, creation of the Teach Maine Center with Educate Maine, teacher apprentice and pre-apprentice programs, ongoing professional learning offered by Maine DOE staff, expanding the Building Assets Reducing Risks (BARR) program statewide which is shown to increase educator job satisfaction, partnering with The Regulated Classroom to promote educator and student wellbeing, the Learning Facilitators Program which helps potential educators receive Education Technician III training through a partnership with Eastern Maine Community College, and other grants available to support educators complete the coursework they need for certification.

These Teach Maine Scholarships are funded through the American Rescue Plan's Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund as a part of Maine's Whole Student Pandemic Response.

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