The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Innovation is pleased to announce that this fall, there will be several opportunities for educators to engage in peer-to-peer learning that highlights innovative educational programming!

Are you an educator interested in exploring immersive learning experiences for your school and students? The Office of Innovation’s Mobile Learning Van is conducting various Learning Tours throughout the school year, and we’d love for you to join us! On each tour, we visit a school that is engaging in innovative learning programs for its students, and we invite educators across the state to see the programs in action and collaborate on all aspects of implementation.

This work stems from $16.9 million in  Rethink K-12 Education Models Funding from the U.S. Department of Education. Maine was one of 11 states to receive that funding in August of 2020 and used it to launch the Rethinking Responsive Education Ventures (RREV) project, a multi-pronged solution with a primary goal of generating innovative remote learning models to provide equitable access to high-quality remote (out-of-the-classroom) learning opportunities for all students. The Office of Innovation is continuing the momentum of this work by offering Learning Tours and fostering peer-to-peer professional learning.

The Learning Tour space is limited to 10 additional Maine educators at each location. If you are interested in joining us on any Learning Tour, please register here or contact Elaine Bartley, Maine DOE Innovative Research and Design Director, at elaine.bartley@maine.gov. You may also contact Elaine with any questions. Additionally, keep an eye on our website for future Learning Tour opportunities!

The current list of tours and events scheduled for the fall of 2025 includes:

St. George Municipal School
October 28, 2025
9 a.m.-2 p.m.

St. George Municipal School was a RREV awardee. Through its innovative pilot, it has created the first pre-K-grade 8 Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum in the nation. It also used part of its funding to help build the Grace Innovation Center—the first pre-K-adult CTE center! On October 28, we will get the opportunity to see its new Makerspace building, see the learning in action, and talk to teachers and students.

Kennebunk High School (Alternative Education)
December 2, 2025
9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Kennebunk High School (KHS) was a RREV awardee through its Alternative Education program. During this Learning Tour, we will discuss conducting independent projects with students; tour the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, where KHS students have helped to create an immersive learning space; and observe an alternative education program in action.

Princeton Elementary School (Technology Education)
December 9, 2025
8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Princeton Elementary School technology educator Donna Netzer was a recent Maine DOE Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) ambassador. During this tour, we will observe and discuss technology integration in the math classroom. We will explore showcase products, experience recommended technology tools, and share numerous resources. There will also be an opportunity to stay longer and participate in an after-school tech group that will be working with the technology available in the Maine DOE Mobile Learning Van. Students will explore interviewing and broadcasting skills!

Special Outdoor Learning Day Event at MeANS
October 27, 2025

In addition to our Learning Tours, the Office of Innovation will be co-hosting the upcoming Outdoor Learning Day in collaboration with the Maine Environmental Education Association (MEEA) on October 27, 2025. This event is happening at the Maine Academy of Natural Sciences (MeANS), which was also a RREV awardee. Experienced educators will model lessons for a wide variety of grade levels and subject areas, with time for debrief and discussion after each lesson. Attendees will be able to view outdoor learning infrastructure at MeANS and participate in conversations about funding outdoor learning, safety planning, and behavior management. Use this link to register for the event. We hope to see you there!