Language, Culture, and Connection: Maine DOE Launches Global Partners Network Webpage

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is proud to announce the launch of its new Global Partners Network webpage, a central hub highlighting Maine’s six active international agreements with China, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Taiwan. This resource marks an important step in ongoing efforts to connect Maine educators and students to global learning opportunities that strengthen multilingualism, cultural understanding, and future readiness.

This launch follows the successful completion of the Maine DOE’s Multilingual/Multicultural Connections Webinar Series, a five-part virtual learning experience that brought together educators, school leaders, and community partners from across the state. This series underscored how language and culture enrich educational experiences and showcased how global partnerships can play a vital role in building inclusive, globally-engaged classrooms.

While the current webpage focuses on Maine’s formal partnerships with six international partners, it also serves as the foundation for a broader resource center. As the Maine DOE builds out this evolving resource, additional tools, professional learning opportunities, exchange program information, and language pathway guidance will be added in the coming months.

“Our goal is to make global engagement more visible and accessible to all Maine schools,” Ayesha Hall, Maine DOE Director of Strategic Partnerships, said. “This launch celebrates what we’ve already accomplished through international collaboration and sets the stage for deeper connections and expanded support for language and culture in education.”

What You’ll Find on the Webpage:

• Overviews of international agreements with China, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Taiwan. A description of how these partnerships support Maine schools through cultural and linguistic exchange
• Updates on future resources and programs under development

This initiative reflects the Maine DOE’s commitment to advancing its Strategic Plan priorities—especially Priority 2: Workforce Development and Priority 3: Strengthening Educational Excellence and Equity—by ensuring all Maine learners have access to the benefits of multilingualism and cross-cultural exchange.

Visit the Global Partners Network webpage here. With questions, please contact Ayesha Hall at Ayesha.Hall@maine.gov.