Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is "ElevatED"?
A. ElevatED is the name that has been given to the combination of the Maine DOE Annual Summit AND Every Teacher a Leader. This year, the Teach Maine Center and the Maine DOE have strategically scheduled our summer events back-to-back in hopes of making participation more reasonable for colleagues who may need to travel. You can register for one event or both–however, each event requires its own registration.
Every Teacher a Leader maintains its identity as a conference “for teachers, by teachers” and we’re looking forward to bringing you the same quality PD and conference feeling you loved about 2026.
Q. Why did the cost of registration increase for Every Teacher a Leader this year?
A. In our inaugural year of Every Teacher a Leader, our conference costs were covered by grant funding and the goal was to “launch” our vision of a conference “for teachers, by teachers.” Our first conference was wildly successful and Every Teacher a Leader will become a staple professional development experience organized by the Teach Maine Center. Moving forward, this conference will be supported in part by business partners and registration fees. The Teach Maine Center is committed to making quality professional development opportunities widely accessible. In an effort to strike a balance and try to keep the conference price within reason and doable for educators paying out of pocket, we hope participants will take advantage of the Early Bird pricing (before May 15).
Q. Is housing included? How do I make housing reservations?
A. We are offering two suggestions with discounted rates, however you can choose to stay wherever makes the most sense for you.
- Thomas College (air-conditioned dorm housing), $45/night, reserve online
- Best Western Waterville, call directly (207-873-0111) and ask for the Educate Maine/Thomas College rate, $99/night
Q. We are coming from a distance. Can I come to Waterville the night before/on Wednesday evening?
A. Absolutely! You can book multiple nights of accommodation with Thomas College, the Best Western, or another option of your choosing. We will have light programming on Wednesday evening with a group viewing of a movie (TBD), snacks, and discussion. If you plan to join us, please plan to register between 6:00-7:00 p.m. July 29th.
Q. How should I register if my administrator plans to send a group and use district funds?
A. Your administrator can purchase multiple tickets and make one payment for the group. Once paid, your administrator will have the ability to "share" a ticket with each attendee who will need to 1) accept the ticket, and 2) complete their individual registrations.
If you encounter difficulty in this process, email Melissa Guerrette ([email protected]).
Q. Someone purchased my ticket for me OR I have a transferred ticket. How do I actually REGISTER?
A. First, you'll need to be able to find your ticket in an email from Sched. You may need to check your Spam/Junk folder. The easy steps to completing your registration and being "officially" in are outlined in this one-page guide for your reference: Register with a Transferred Ticket.
If you encounter difficulty in this process, email Melissa Guerrette ([email protected]).
Q. How many contact hours will be awarded for participation in Every Teacher a Leader?
A. Participants will earn 12 contact hours for participation on July 30-31. An additional 2 contact hours will be given to participants who join the Wednesday night movie and discussion.
Q. Where do I report problems with the event app, scheduling tool, or a link?
A. During the event, these snags should be reported to a planning team member at the registration table. Before and during the event, these issues can also be emailed to Melissa Guerrette ([email protected]).
Q. I am a business person who is excited about the Every Teacher a Leader Conference and the community it builds for educators. How can I support the conference?
A. We'd be grateful to have your support! Whether you are considering a financial donation or want to offer goods for our raffle prizes, please reach out to Jodi Mezzanotte, Director of Educator Engagement at Educate Maine ([email protected]).
