About Mike

Different people learn in different ways and are smart in different ways.  Schools have done what they do for so long, they are stuck in the paradigm of one size fits all.  But what we really need are lots of approaches and options.  The learning should be the non-negotiable, not the approach.

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Dr. Mike Muir

Mike Muir has been a high school and middle school mathematics teacher, a middle grades technology integrator, a university practicum supervisor, a professor of middle grades education and educational technology, an educational developer and manager, a central office administrator, and a Proficiency-based Learning Specialist with GEAR Up Maine. Mike was one of the founding designers of MLTI (Maine Learning Technology Initiative – the first statewide 1to1 Initiative), and served 2 years as the MLTI Director. Currently, he is the Tech Director for a small rural district in Western Maine, and education consultant at StudentLearning.guru.

Mike has supported large-scale school change initiatives, customized, proficiency-based learning work, proficiency-based professional learning and micro-credential program development, and efforts to motivate underachieving students.

Through all these jobs, he has had one steady mission: to help schools better reach more students (especially disenfranchised learners, students in poverty, and children from rural/isolated areas).

Dr. Muir’s accomplishments include the following:

  • One of the first technology integrators, forgoing teaching a separate technology course, to teaching technology skills as they are needed for projects in the core subjects
  • Selected by Bette Manchester to serve on the original MLTI Design Team for Curriculum and Professional Development (MLTI – the Maine Learning Technology Initiative – is the first statewide 1to1 learning with technology initiative)
  • Founder and Director of University of Maine at Farmington’s Maine Center for Meaningful Engaged Learning (McMEL), sharing resources with educators on leadership for school change, Customized Learning, technology for learning, and student motivation
  • Developed the Meaningful Engaged Learning model of student motivation, which is a state-approved, research-based school improvement model in Louisiana, but used by educators across Maine and the country
Dr. Muir
  • Participated nationally in the Association for Middle Level Education (formerly the National Middle School Association), including serving on the Research Advisory Board, a term on the Board of Trustees, and as President
  • As Vice President for Learning Strategy, worked with the Citadel Group (private sector) to create schools designed to motivate students, including a career academy in Buffalo, NY, and non-traditional middle and high school programs and schools in South Carolina, Chester, PA, and elsewhere.
  • Co-Authored, then supported, the School District of Philadelphia’s Magnet School Grant, which brought $7.5M into the district for a K-12 project-based learning program (as part of the Citadel Group)
  • Developed the Leadership for School Change model, based on leadership lessons learned from MLTI and creating schools designed to motivate kids, which is used by several Maine districts to guide their technology and Customized Learning programs
Presenting
  • One of the leaders of Auburn’s Advantage 2014 development team, the first 1to1 iPad in primary grades program in the country
  • Active in Auburn’s and Maine’s Proficiency-based and Customized Learning work
  • Served as Learning Through Technology Director at the Maine Department of Education, where he oversaw MLTI, the country’s first and only statewide 1to1 learning through technology initiative.
  • Developed the Maine Learning Technology Framework, placing learning firmly in the center of education technology efforts.
  • Led Proficiency-based Learning and Shared Leadership efforts for Maine’s GEAR UP program working to increase the percentage of low income students who go on to some sort of post-secondary education.

Mike’s Sites:

Mike’s Work History

  • 2024-Present – East Grand School (Danforth, ME) – Principal
  • 2012-Present – StudentLearning.Guru – Education Consulting
  • 2019-2024 – MSAD #44 (Bethel, ME) – Technology Director
  • 2000-2024 – Maine Center for Meaningful Engaged Learning – Director
  • 2017-2021 – GEAR UP Maine – Education Strategist
  • 2015-2017 – Maine Department of Education – Learning Through Technology Director/MLTI Director
  • 2011-2015 – Auburn School Department – Multiple Pathways Director
  • 2008-2011 – The Citadel Group – Vice President for Learning Strategy
  • 2001-2004 – University of Maine at Farmington – Director of Electronic Guild Network, Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology Grant
  • 1999-2010 – University of Maine at Farmington – Associate Professor of Middle Level Education and Educational Technology
  • 1996-1999 – University of Maine at Farmington – Practicum Supervisor
  • 1995-1996 – Skowhegan Area High School – Math Teacher
  • 1990-1995 – Skowhegan Area Middle School – Technology Integrator & Algebra Teacher
  • 1989-1990 – Maine Computer Consortium- Educational Technologist
  • 1986-1989 – Maine School Union #52 – K-12 Computer Coordinator
  • 1985-1989 – Winslow High School – Math & Computer Teacher

Mike’s Education

  • Ed.D. 2000 – University of Maine – Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration on Learning Centered Education (independent program). Dissertation question: What do underachieving middle school students believe motivates them to learn?
  • M.Ed. 1989 – Lesley College – Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Educational Technology
  • B.A. 1985 – Colby College – Mathematics & Computer Studies

Download Mike’s Resume

MikeMuir_Resume_2205.pdfDownload