Department leadership provides strategic direction and operational oversight in support of Maine’s students, educators, and communities.
Pender Makin
Commissioner
Daniel Chuhta
Deputy Commissioner
Megan Welter
Associate Commissioner of Public Education
Chelsey Fortin-Trimble
Associate Commissioner of Policy and Programs
Chloe Teboe
Director of Communications
Melissa O’Neal-Low
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Constituent Affairs
Beth Lambert
Chief Teaching and Learning Officer, Office of Teaching & Learning
Richard Colpitts
Director of Education in the Unorganized Territory
Page Nichols
Chief Innovation Officer, Office of Innovation
Melissa Beecher
Chief of Operations
Katherine Warren
Director of Education Data
Ayesha Hall
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Tamara Ranger
Director of the Office of Workforce Development & Innovative Pathways
Robert Susi
Director of the Maine School Safety Center
Julie Smyth
Director of the Office of School and Student Supports
Erin Frazier
Director of the Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education
Scott Brown
Director of the Office of School Facilities
Janette Kirk
Chief of Federal Programs
Michael Perry
Director of Higher Education and Educator Support Services