FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2026
North Haven Community School Launches Free Pathway to Early Childhood Education Careers
NORTH HAVEN, ME — North Haven Community School (NHCS) has been awarded a grant through the Maine Department of Education's (MDOE) Career Pathways Pilot to launch a new program preparing students and adult learners for careers in Early Childhood Education — at no cost to participants.
Developed in partnership with the MDOE and local community colleges, the program will help high school students and adult learners earn credentials to work with young children. Grant funding will cover tuition along with wraparound supports designed to remove common barriers to completion, including laptops for online coursework, transportation assistance, and textbooks.
The initiative is part of a broader "grow-your-own" strategy to strengthen the workforce in small, rural communities — helping local residents train for, and stay in, the careers their communities need most, starting with early childhood educators.
This grant is a chance to invest directly in the sustainability of small rural communities, by removing the barriers that keep talented people from pursuing careers in early childhood education, and building a pipeline of educators who are already invested in the communities in which they live and work.
Introductory coursework begins September 2026. High school students and adult learners interested in early childhood education careers are encouraged to apply.
For more information or to get started, contact:
Shaun Johnson, Principal
North Haven Community School