Student aspiration has been my passion for as long as I can remember. Helping students uncover their skills and interests and how to capitalize on them in the workforce is incredibly rewarding. As a Teacher Leader Fellow, I am eager to collaborate with educators across the state to prepare our students for their futures. 

I am honored to be the 25/26 Career Connections Teacher Leader at the Maine Department of Education’s Office of Teaching and Learning. Career readiness has driven my work over the last six years.  My passion was borne when I became the first College and Career Access Coordinator in Maine in 2019. This groundbreaking partnership between Hub 8 Adult Education and Southern Maine Community College inspired me to create opportunities for students at Gray-New Gloucester Schools.

As the advisory coordinator for the MSAD 15, I developed experiences related to career options ranging from straight to work, training programs, service organizations, and college pathways. Two large projects included a Career Day for middle school students as a culmination of a month-long occupation study and Curious about College for juniors in coordination with the district’s adult education department, community colleges, FAME, and Workforce development. I am eager to share my experience and resources with teachers. 

Holding Master’s degree in education qualified me the to teach an Early College course, Career Exploration and Development, through the University of Maine. Students at my high school can elect to take this class to build a career plan that links their interests, goals, and life satisfaction while earning credit that is transferable across the system. This course keeps me up to date on the latest trends as well as the needs of students as they approach graduation.

I am excited to leverage this new position in the Office of Teaching and Learning to build connections among educators, career development organizations and associations, and Maine employers. I am looking forward to creating resources based in the Life and Career Ready Standards in the Maine Learning Results that schools can use to boost the great work that is already happening in our state. 

Questions or thoughts on Maine Career resources? Email me! Let’s get the conversation started! lisa.knedler@maine.gov 

"JMG was established by the Maine State Legislature in 1993 and is the largest statewide education nonprofit in Maine. JMG partners with Maine's public middle and high schools, community colleges, and our university system to help students achieve their goals."

Annual Education Symposium

Friday, December 12

Cross Insurance Center, Bangor

January 27, 2026: Maine Career Development Association Their January 2026 Career Cafe will be led by Stefanie Trice Gill, MBA, founder and principal recruiter of Intwork LLC. Stefanie will be presenting on the following topic:

• Utilizing Google "Skill Sheets" and other IntWork tools to support resume development and to guide cover letters and interview prep

This is a FREE event and open to all! However, they encourage you to become a member of MCDA to support this and other programs that promote professional development for career practitioners. 

December 5: FAME: Understanding Multiple Pathways to Education and Training

December 10: FAME- Wednesday Webinar – Scholarships Experts Spill the Tea

December 12: Educate Maine Symposium at the Cross Center in Bangor. Registration is OPEN!!

November 7: Maine Career Development Association's Fall Conference at Bates College or virtual. The sessions will focus on networking and wellbeing skills.

October 31: Financial Aid 101 (virtual) Free event hosted by the Finance Authority of Maine.

October 3: Ignite: Building Maine’s Workforce of Tomorrow (in person) Hosted by Maine Development Foundation and Maine Spark.

• What Do You Want to Do?

• Where Do You Want to Go?

• It's All a Matter of Money

Use this link to order game kits and this site to access more resources.

Level All is a free resource to all Maine citizens (due to the socio-economic status of the state). Schools can opt to enter into an affiliate agreement (free) with the organization to access the benefits offered to educators.

Modules are available for Maine Learning Results content areas.

https://www.maine.gov/doe/moose/

The Maine Chapter offers programs to teach students about careers in the transportation industry.

Click on the PDF above to learn more about educational programming and contact information.

Want to Work Workbook 

Want to Work Partner Guide 

Career Tech Media is a company that promotes career and technical education pathways and related jobs. They produce CTE magazines that highlight pathways, job outlook, career assessment and planning for middle school and high school students. These resources would be great to use in the classroom to help students learn about education requirements, job sectors and salary potential. 

Middle School Career CTE Guide 

https://www.careertechmedia.com/middle-school-career-guide 

High School Career CTE Guide 

https://www.careertechmedia.com/career-guide 

2025-2026 ELE Applications: https://airtable.com/apppZqr4eLdOoMZxB/pagknTVxsT4wROkD6/form .