2026 summer Educators Institute
Thriving Together
June 24-26, 2026
In-Person ᐧ University of Maine in Orono
About the Institute
The UMaine Summer Educators Institute offers teachers and other school personnel an opportunity to learn and grow together. Each morning will feature an inspirational keynote and a variety of interactive presentations and workshops to choose from based on participants’ interests. In the afternoon, school or district-based teams will work together on a project that they identify to improve some aspect of their school community. Consultants will be available during team time to assist with process, resources, and guidance. Individuals may participate in the conference, but we strongly encourage attendance of at least two people from each school/district. There is no limit to the number of team members from a school/district and the team may include novice and experienced teachers, administrators, educational technicians, and support staff.
The Summer Educators Institute is funded by Rural Thrive: The Rural Educator Resilience Project.
General Schedule
7:30 a.m.-8:15 a.m. — Breakfast (provided)
8:15 a.m.-9:15 a.m. — Large Group Session and Keynote
9:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. — Small Group Sessions and Workshops
11:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. — Lunch (provided) and Team Time
3:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m. — Closing Session
A more detailed schedule and workshop/session descriptions will be available in early March.
Registration Information
Registration is FREE to all Maine educators. We will be posting a registration form soon with additional details about the institute. So keep checking this page.
Lodging and travel reimbursement will be provided to participants who meet one or both of the following criteria:
To receive further information as we finalize conference details, email Rural Thrive Teacher-Leader in Residence Gert Nesin, gert.nesin@maine.edu.
General Questions?
Email coehd@maine.edu.