UMaine’s Rural Thrive project announces fund to support rural teacher professional development
Rural teachers in Maine are invited to submit applications for up to $2,500 in funding to help them to access professional development opportunities during the upcoming school year.
The “What I Need” (WIN) Funds are being offered through Rural Thrive: The Rural Educator Resilience Project, led by the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. Some of the activities that WIN Funds can be used for include course tuition at any qualifying higher education institution; conference attendance, including registration fees, travel costs and lodging; outside speakers for districts or regional school units; book study materials; mental health supports and teacher coaching.
Any full-time classroom teacher in a rural school district in Maine is eligible for the funding. The Rural Thrive website includes a link to apply for the funds, as well as a tool where teachers can look up their district to see if they qualify.
Rural Thrive aims to address the unique workforce challenges faced by rural schools and districts, including financial limitations, higher transportation costs, lack of substitute teachers and trainings that are poorly aligned with school or community needs. Rural Thrive is funded with a $3.3 million Congressionally Directed Spending award secured in Fiscal Year 2024 by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Sen. Angus King. In addition to UMaine, the project includes educator preparation programs at other public universities across the state, as well as Thomas College and Colby College.
For more information, contact Rural Thrive project lead and UMaine associate professor of educational leadership Catharine Biddle, catharine.biddle@maine.edu.