Federal funding has helped schools invest in new programs to support students’ and teachers’ emotional well-being in the short and long term.

As part of an investment using federal emergency relief funding, nearly 900 Maine educators have completed new professional development courses in literacy instruction.

The Extended Learning Opportunities program has reached more than 3,350 Maine students, emphasizing locally-based career exploration outside of the traditional classroom.

Prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine Department of Education established two outdoor education programs, allowing students statewide to learn in new and innovative ways outside of the traditional classroom.

Now implemented in more than 100 Maine schools, BARR combines relationship building with real-time data to enhance student engagement and well-being.

From building new connections with students to exciting learning opportunities, teachers across Maine have many reasons to look forward to the beginning of the school year.