In Today’s News

YAY for Andy!

Andrew Forster

Andy Forster was nominated for Maine Teacher of the Year by his principal Jon Moody who said: “When I first met Andy as a colleague in 2001, it was immediately apparent to me that he is a one of a kind human being. Andy cares deeply for his students and puts in the time necessary to ensure that all of them (including those not enrolled in his classes) are touched by music and given the chance to shine at Messalonskee.”

The Maine Department of Education in partnership with Educate Maine, is pleased to announce eight teachers as semifinalists for Maine’s 2017 Teacher of the Year. They were chosen from the 2016 County Teachers of the Year, who were honored in May at a celebration held in Augusta.

The semifinalists are:

• Aroostook: Michael McCartney, Maine School of Science and Mathematics, Limestone
  McCartney has been teaching for ten years and currently teaches English, fitness, history, and first-year seminar to grades 9-12.
• Cumberland: Morgan Cuthbert, Harrison Middle School, Yarmouth
  Cuthbert has been an educator for 15 years and currently teaches seventh grade math and science.
• Franklin: Selina Warren, Kingfield Elementary School, Kingfield
  Warren has been teaching for six years and teaches second grade.
• Hancock: Rebecca Tapley, Brooklin Elementary School, Brooklin
  Tapley has been teaching for 15 years and currently teaches all subjects for grades 4-8.
• Kennebec: Andrew Forster, Messalonskee High School, Oakland
  Forster has been teaching for 27 years and currently teaches band, music production, independent study, and jazz band.
• Knox: Beth Heidemann, Cushing Community School, Cushing
  Heidemann has been teaching for 23 years and currently teaches Kindergarten
• Penobscot: Cherrie MacInnes, Brewer Community School, Brewer
  MacInnes has been teaching for 26 years and currently teaches third grade.
• Somerset: Tamara Ranger, Skowhegan Area Middle School, Skowhegan                                                               Ranger has been teaching for 16 years and currently teaches English language arts to grades 7-8.

The eight semifinalists will continue in the intensive selection process which consists of a professional portfolio review and an oral presentation, before narrowing the pool to three state finalists. The finalists will then sit for a final interview and have a school-site visit before the 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year is selected.

Review panels during the selection process consist of past Teachers of the Year, school administrators, Maine DOE staff, members of professional education organizations, and the business community. The 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year will be announced at a surprise all-school assembly in October.

The Maine Teacher of the Year is a program of the Maine DOE, and is administered and managed by Educate Maine; a business-led organization whose mission is to “champion college and career readiness and to increase the education attainment of all Maine people.” The program has received longtime support from the Maine State Board of Education and the Maine State Teacher of the Year Association. An overview of the Maine Teacher of the Year program can be found here.

Funding for the program is generously provided by Hannaford, Geiger, Bangor Savings Bank and Dead River.

Full biographical information and photos of the 16 County Teachers of Year can be found here.

For more information about the Teacher of the Year program contact Program Director Dolly Sullivan at dolly@educatemaine.org or call 631-3385.