Know your rights when teaching and working at a school.

Public school teachers and staff in Maine have free speech rights inside and outside of the classroom. In general, the First Amendment protects your speech if you are speaking as a private citizen on a matter of public concern as long as the speech doesn’t substantially impair school functioning. Learn more about your rights at public and charter schools in Maine.

See our full Know Your Rights: Back to School toolkit to learn about all issues affecting students, teachers, and staff.

Open the menus below to learn more about your rights at public and charter schools in Maine.

Related Content


Resource
Placeholder image

Know Your Rights

Resource

Know Your Rights: Back to School

As the Supreme Court ruled in 1969, students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”
Know Your Rights
Aug 25, 2025
KYR at school
  • Immigrants' Rights

Immigrant Students' Rights and School Responsibilities

Immigrant students have a right to public education, and schools have responsibilities to uphold these students' rights.
Know Your Rights
Aug 23, 2023
Know Your Rights as a Service Provider
  • Immigrants' Rights

Guidance for Health Care, Shelters, Clergy, Education

Know your rights when working or volunteering in health care centers, homeless shelters, places of worship, and schools.