Every Teacher A Leader Summit 2026: Full Schedule

9:30am EDT

Day-Dreaming is it!: Visioning Student-Led Projects

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

When polarization roars and hope can feel futile, dreaming is essential. This session is a collaborative brainstorming space to outline “dreamy” schoolwide change. Miranda Snyder briefly storytells her trial-and-error support of Civil Rights Team’s "dreams", big and small. Processing might happen via dialogue, writing, art - your dream’s “how” is up to you and your unique context.

Speakers

Miranda Snyder

English Teacher & Civil Rights Team Advisor, Mount Desert Island High School

Miranda Snyder (she/her) is in her fifth year teaching English at Mount Desert Island high school. She teaches mainly freshman, centering texts and writing around identity, belonging, and justice. She also advises the Civil Rights Team, a student-led activist group, and organized... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
Alfond 227

Teacher Leadership, General

11:00am EDT

Educator Advocacy: Using Your Voice to Shape Education in Maine

Thursday July 30, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm EDT

Alfond 208

Educators bring essential expertise to policy conversations, but the legislative and rulemaking process can feel difficult to navigate. This professional learning session demystifies how education policy is shaped in Maine, from legislation and rulemaking to the decisions that ultimately impact classrooms.
Participants will explore how to use their expertise, experience, and voice to advocate effectively for students, schools, and the teaching profession. Whether new to advocacy or already engaged, educators will leave with a deeper understanding of how policy decisions unfold and the many ways they can help shape education in Maine.

Speakers

Jodi Mezzanotte

Director of Educator Engagement, Educate Maine

Leah Boucher Enos

Grade 4 Teacher, Lewiston Public Schools

Leah Enos is a fourth-grade teacher and Civil Rights Team advisor at Farwell Elementary School in Lewiston, Maine. She was recognized as the 2024 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year. Leah is the Vice President of the Lewiston Education Association, serves on the Maine Profess... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm EDT
Alfond 208

Teacher Leadership, General

7:30pm EDT

Teacher Travel: A Panel about Opportunities for YOU to Adventure

Thursday July 30, 2026 7:30pm - 8:00pm EDT

Outside Alfond Academic Center

Speakers

Karen MacDonald

Retired Teacher, Teach Maine Center

Karen MacDonald (she/her) is a retired educator who spent 37 years in the Portland Public Schools teaching English Language Arts. In 2014 she was named Maine’s Teacher of the Year. Throughout her career, she worked to build an interdisciplinary model at King Middle School and... Read More →

Allyson Gilbert

Science Teacher, Mt. Ararat High School

I’m an educator driven by curiosity, connection, and the belief that learning should matter beyond the classroom. After facing burnout early in my career, I rebuilt my approach around student voice, choice, and real-world impact. I design experiences that push students to ask big... Read More →

Joshua Chard

Arts Integration Teacher Leader Fellow, Maine Department of Education Office of Teaching and Learning

Joshua Chard is a second-grade teacher at East End Community School in Portland, Maine, and the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year. With more than 30 years in education, he creates culturally responsive, arts-integrated learning experiences that center joyful relationships, student voice... Read More →

Katie Strait

Biology and Marine Biology Teacher, Baxter Academy for Technology and Science

Brett Almasi

High School Social Studies Teacher, Foxcroft Academy

Cindy Soule

Thursday July 30, 2026 7:30pm - 8:00pm EDT
Outside Alfond Academic Center

Teacher Leadership, General

10:30am EDT

Burnout: What Now?

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Alfond 208

Feeling burnt out or close to it? This session offers honest conversation, real choices, and practical steps for navigating burnout. Through personal experience and reflection, we’ll explore what it looks like to stay, step back, or shift direction; and how to take your next step forward in a way that works for you.

Speakers