Maine Council for English Language Arts (MCELA)

📝 Student Writing Contest: Submissions Open!

Prompt: Words can help, hurt, inspire, or change things. Write about a time when words made a difference–to you or to others–or explain how words have the power to shape our lives. 

🗓️ Deadline for Submissions: April 17, 2026

🔗 Link in bio

Student Writing Contest is now open for submissions with an April 17 Deadline!

This year's prompt:
Words can help, hurt, inspire, or change things. Write about a time when words made a difference—to you or to others—or explain how words have the power to shape our lives.

Prizes:
1st place $125
2nd place $75
3rd place $50

*Judges may recognize Honorable Mention essays that will not receive cash awards.

For more information and submission links, click here!
https://www.mainecela.org/about-the-student-writing-contest.html

There’s still time to join us for Coastal Cadence: Integrating Edna St. Vincent Millay and Maine Poetry into the High School English Curriculum, but registration is closing soon!

This engaging, three-part Zoom series begins next week and offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with fellow Maine educators while building practical, classroom-ready approaches to teaching poetry.

Together, we’ll explore close reading strategies, creative ways to engage students, and meaningful approaches to analysis, writing, and assessment using the work of Maine poets, including Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Dates: March 31, April 14, May 12
Time: 4:00–6:00 PM (Zoom)
Earn: 10 Contact Hours
Cost: $40 (includes Millay House membership through 2026), MCELA members get $5 discount

You’ll leave each session with resources to try right away, and time to reflect, share, and refine your practice with colleagues across the state.

If you’ve been thinking about joining, now is the time! We’d love to have you with us!

Register today and secure your spot!

https://maine.wildapricot.org/event-6599846

It is time! Join us this evening March 19 for Poetry Night featuring Dawn Potter at the Penobscot Theatre.

Friday WE RISE!

It's conference week. We cannot wait to see everyone!

Below you will find the live program link.

MCELA 2026 Conference Program Check out this Food & Drink Menu designed by Patti Forster.

Just a little over a week away!

Please register at https://maine.wildapricot.org/event-6599846

LAST CALL TO REGISTER

MCELA Conference
March 20, 2026
at the Cross Center in Bangor, Maine
Registration Closes March 5th!

⏰LAST CALL TO REGISTER

MCELA Conference
March 20, 2026
at the Cross Center in Bangor, Maine

🚨Registration Closes March 5th!
Join educators from across Maine for a day of:

• Professional growth
• Meaningful collaboration
• Classroom-ready strategies
• Celebration of excellence in ELA

🔗Register at link in bio