Professional Development Opportunities from Educators for a Multilingual Maine

[Junkins, Melanie]

Good morning,

Please see the message shared from Fred Ravan, President of Educators for a Multilingual Maine<https://www.emmaine.org/>. These are high-quality opportunities from a trusted partner. If you are a World Language or Multilingual educator, I encourage you to explore their opportunities and organization.

(The Maine DOE is not responsible for any of the information listed in this email. Please reach out directly to president at emmaine.org with any questions.

In February, EMME will have two professional development opportunities via Zoom, available to our members for free. Both workshops will be recorded and can be accessed later in the members-only section of our website:

  1.  Teaching Multilingual Learners with Confidence: Practical Strategies for Everyday Classrooms
February 24, 5 to 6 PM.
  2.  Supporting All Learners: Inclusive Practices for Students with Disabilities in the World Language Classroom
March 24, 5 to 6 PM

In  April, we will hold our in-person conference in Lewiston at the Franco Center.  Sally Barnes was EMME's keynote last year and was such a hit that we have invited her back this year.  This year Sally Barnes will share insights from her book, 7 Steps to a Language-Rich Interactive World Language Classroom. Sally will unpack her book and discuss her activities. I particularly appreciate this resource because it includes examples for various languages, such as American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, English (MLL), French, German, and Spanish. There is a fee for this conference. You can find more information here <https://emmaine.app.neoncrm.com/track//servlet/DisplayLink?orgId=emmaine&%7B%7BemailTrackingId%7D%7D&%7B%7BsecureId%7D%7D&linkId=7335&targetUrl=https://api.neonemails.com/emails/content/suSc0_JGLfGAD21cV-1Xth_zGA2lv37qmymHo5tHMa4=>

Additionally, we offer teacher and student awards aimed at recognizing excellence in teaching and leadership. The student awards highlight outstanding individuals who excel in the study of world languages and serve as exemplary role models in their school communities. We are particularly excited about our MLL Student of the Year award, which honors multilingual learners for their achievements.

Another way educators can showcase their students is through our student contests. This year's theme is "The Future Speaks Many Languages." We have a poster contest for grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Middle and high school students can also participate in a video contest

This summer, on Wednesday,  June 24, 2026, EMME will host its Summer Institute at the University of Maine-Orono. This one-day conference will feature teacher-led workshops by educators in Maine.  Generally there is something for everyone.

Additionally, northern Maine teachers and those in the Penobscot area participate in a World Language Collaborative, where local educators meet throughout the year to share lesson ideas, discuss upcoming events, and network. The next meeting for Bangor area teachers is on Wednesday, January 21st at Brewer High School, starting at 3:30 PM, and we plan to attend the DOE’s WL Office hours. The northern Maine group will meet later in January.



Fred Ravan

President EMME



________________________________________

Melanie Junkins, MSEd (she/her)

Multilingual and Bilingual Education Specialist

Office of Teaching and Learning

Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
Email: melanie.junkins at maine.gov

Phone: 207-215-9694

Maine DOE<http://www.maine.gov/doe> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en> | Maine DOE Newsroom<https://mainedoenews.net/>

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