Alternative Education Association of Maine
Empowering Young People's
Educational Journey
The Mission of the Alternative Education Association of Maine is to provide support, guidance and direction to Maine Alternative Educators and the students they serve. We strive to advocate for all those in Maine involved with Alternative Education.
2025-26 Update:
Our wonderful advocate, colleague and former President of the AEA, Lenny Holmes, has officially retired.
We will always be grateful to Lenny for resurrecting the Alternative Education Association of Maine. His unstoppable energy is responsible for establishing our traditional Spring and Fall conferences. He inspires us to continue the AEA, and to hold space for this wonderful community of educators who give so much to our vulnerable at-promise Maine students! Lenny, wishing you the best, and you will be missed!!
2026 AEA Alternative Education Spring Conference Recap–Building Resilience for All was a SUCCESS!!
The Alternative Education Association (AEA) of Maine successfully hosted its 2026 Spring Conference on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Colby College in Waterville. The conference theme “Building Resilience for All,” brought together alternative education teachers, administrators, superintendents, and school staff from across the state for a day of learning, collaboration, and renewed energy.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in a variety of impactful sessions designed to support both student success and educator well-being through the alternative education lens.
Participants had opportunities to share strategies, reflect on their practices, and build meaningful connections with colleagues dedicated to alternative education pathways.
Presentation topics included:
● AI and Alternative Education
● Resonance Language (Empathy for Everyone)
● Restorative Practices
● From Awareness to Action: Strengthening Trauma-Informed Practice in Your
Classroom
● Substance Abuse (Peer Support) from SEED (Students Empowered to End
Dependence)
● Sustaining the Helpers: Practical Tools for Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
● Beyond the High School Model: Redefining Middle School Alternative Education
The AEA board extends its sincere thanks to all presenters, participants, and organizers who made this event a success. Your continued commitment to innovation, equity, and resilience in education is what drives this work forward. Each year, AEA hosts a Fall and Spring conference, and the AEA board is excited to meet new and veteran alternative educators, administrators, superintendents, and school staff (education technicians, school counselors, school social workers, community partners, etc.) who support this work.
Announcing
Submissions for AEA
Educator of 2026
TBD in upcoming email - Stay tuned...
And Announcing the 2026 Martin Mackey Scholarship
Submission form
TBD in upcoming email - Stay tuned...
NEW this year!!
Honoring our 2026
RETIREES who have been dedicated to teaching our Alt Ed students.
Submission form TBD in upcoming email - stay tuned...
See News page for updates - if you have cool projects or news to share please email menart@portlandschools.org, and I will try to post in a timely manner.
"Alternative education is a perspective, not a procedure or program. It is based upon the belief that there are many ways to become educated, as well as many types of environments and structures within which this may occur."
Raymond Morley 1991
