Educators Gather for Annual Camden Conference in the Classroom Workshop

Seventeen Maine high schools were represented at the annual Camden Conference in the Classroom teacher workshop in September, marking one of the program’s most robust years of participation. The gathering welcomed three new schools to the program—Medomak Valley High School, Yarmouth High School, and Hampden Academy—joining veteran participants in planning curriculum for the upcoming 39th annual Camden Conference.

Preparing for Today’s Middle East: Power, Politics and Players

Teachers spent the day exploring strategies for integrating the February 20-22, 2026 conference theme into their diverse classroom settings. From AP Comparative Government courses to independent study programs and afterschool clubs, participating educators shared innovative approaches for making complex geopolitical topics accessible and engaging for high school students.

The conference speaker lineup offers rich educational opportunities, with experts from prestigious institutions including Johns Hopkins, Brookings, and The New Yorker addressing topics ranging from U.S. policy and climate change to cultural diversity and economic models across the Middle East. NPR’s On Point host Meghna Chakrabarti will moderate the discussions, guiding conversations on this complex and often controversial topic.

Collaborative Innovation and Resource Sharing

A highlight of the workshop was teachers’ enthusiasm for enhanced resource sharing. Educators proposed creating a dedicated online space for exchanging teaching materials, lesson plans, and best practices—a “teacher resource hub” where the Camden Conference community can collaborate year-round. Teachers also discussed using essential questions to guide student learning and explored tools for making challenging academic texts accessible to diverse learners.

The day featured inspiring success stories of former students who have pursued careers in international relations and public service after participating in the Camden Conference program, demonstrating the lasting impact of global education on Maine youth.

Expanding Access and Impact

With program expansion comes creative problem-solving around logistics. The February conference will strategically distribute students between the Camden Opera House and Rockland Strand Theatre venues, ensuring all participants have opportunities for direct engagement with speakers while accommodating growing attendance.

Teachers also explored modernizing student engagement opportunities beyond the traditional Bill Taylor essay contest, discussing alternative formats like podcasts, videos, and collaborative projects that reflect diverse student strengths and interests.

The workshop underscored what makes the Camden Conference in the Classroom program unique: a dedicated community of educators committed to bringing global perspectives to students across Maine’s diverse communities, from rural towns to urban centers, creating transformative learning experiences that broaden horizons and build pathways to engaged citizenship.

The February conference promises to be an exceptional learning opportunity, with teachers returning to their classrooms equipped with resources, collaborative connections, and renewed enthusiasm for inspiring the next generation of globally-minded citizens.

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