To improve teacher workforce, report says Maine needs better pathways [Video]

Maine needs to improve its teacher certification processes and invest in career pathways to grow and strengthen its educator workforce, according to a new report from an education nonprofit done in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education.

Maine, like most states, has struggled to fully staff its schools. Last spring the state estimated it would have widespread shortages for the 2024-25 school year, and allowed emergency hiring for teachers in many subjects, including health, special education, computer science, music, social studies, early childhood, art, English, English as a second language, science and math.

Educate Maine, a nonprofit that advocates for education policies, released a report this week after working with the state to develop the Teach Maine Center, a hub for teachers with the goal of advancing the profession in the state. The purpose of the report was to learn how teachers think Maine could grow and sustain its educator workforce, a first step in setting up the center.

Educate Maine …