Maine Teacher of the Year

Nominate a deserving teacher

Now more than ever we need to celebrate all of the good work teachers are doing. Teachers know better than anyone what goes on in classrooms. If you’ve been wondering how to honor a colleague this is one way. Consider nominating them for the Maine Teacher of the Year. This program has developed over the years to elevate teachers.

Matt Bernstein, 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year, Casco Bay High School

Nominations are being accepted for the 2023 county teachers of the year until February 4 at 5:00 p.m. Applications are accepted from colleagues, students, parents, community members and organizations. The eligibility criteria is located at THIS LINK. Learn more about the program and the 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year, Matt Bernstein, at THIS LINK.

Teachers Representatives

Finalists for Maine Teacher of the Year

Four Maine teachers were announced today as the State Finalists for the 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year program. Eighth grade social studies and English Language Arts teacher Heather Anderson from Aroostook County, ninth grade humanities and social studies teacher Matthew Bernstein from Cumberland County, fourth grade math, writing, and science teacher Ashley Bryant from Oxford County, and high school social studies teacher Emily Albee from Penobscot County were all selected to move forward in the Teacher of the Year process and were chosen from the 2022 Maine County Teachers of the Year.

These teachers are representatives of all that is ‘right’ with education these days. They’re not ‘the best’ teachers but instead they are teachers who represent all teachers. If you’re fortunate enough to be a teacher you can be proud that their voices are strong and articulate. I had the opportunity in July to be at UMaine when the eight semi-finalists made presentations. They spoke with clarity while sharing their beliefs and passion for teaching.

We’re fortunate in Maine that the process for determining the teacher of the year is well thought out and has changed over the years to select a teacher who best represents all Maine teachers. When I look back I am impressed with how the program has evolved. In the present environment of education I’m sure that we can all agree that the program needs to change in order to represent the education profession.

County teachers of the year who were considered for the 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year who teach one of the arts: from Androscoggin County visual art teacher Kelsey Boucher, from Hancock County music teacher Rebecca Edmondson, and from Somerset County theatre teacher Debra Susi.

Maine’s Teacher of the Year is a program of Educate Maine. You can learn more at their website at https://www.mainetoy.org. The program has many sponsors.

Congrats Arts Teachers

County Teacher of the Year

Last week at the State House in Augusta the 2019 County Teachers of the Year were named and I’m sure you’ll join me in CONGRATULATING the following visual and/or performing arts teachers who were recognized. Thank you for your amazing work and for representing arts education as your journey continues in the Maine Teacher of the Year program.

• Androscoggin County: Shawn Rice, Edward Little High School, Auburn, Art/Broadcast Media (grades 9-12)
• Oxford County: Linda Andrews, Buckfield Junior/Senior High School, Hartford -Sumner Elementary, Gifted Academics and Arts (grades K-12)
• Piscataquis County: Bobbi Tardif, SeDoMoCha School, Middle School Visual Arts Educator (grades 5-8)

Shawn Rice

Linda Andrews

Bobbi Tardif

Commissioner of Education Pender Makin notes, “The Maine Teacher Of the Year program offers all of us the opportunity to celebrate the phenomenal work that is being accomplished every day in Maine’s public schools. Each of the County Teachers of the Year exemplifies a deep commitment to Maine’s students and a belief in the power of education to create positive and lasting change. They bring their compassion, creativity, and innovation to the art and science of teaching, amplifying the dreams and futures of their students.  In highlighting the accomplishments of these 15 educators, we are also honoring all of Maine’s teachers,  and the outstanding talents and dedication they bring to their classrooms and communities.”

The educators were each nominated by a member of their community for their exemplary service in education, and dedication to their students. They were selected by a distinguished panel of teachers, principals and business community members from a pool of hundreds of other nominated teachers in their communities.

As ambassadors for teachers, students, and quality education in Maine, these teachers will continue to participate in the intensive State Teacher of the Year selection process, including the submission of a video showcasing their classroom instructional practices.

The field will be narrowed to eight semi-finalists who will begin working on their professional portfolio, a component of the National Teacher of the Year process. After the portfolio review and presentations to a select panel, the field is narrowed to three finalists. In October, the 2020 Maine Teacher of the Year will be selected after a school site visit and final interview.

Maine County Teachers of the Year

Congratulations Chris and Kaitlin

Kaitlin Young, Argy Nestor – Photo by Andy Forster, 2016 Kennebec County Teacher of the year.

I felt so proud attending the Maine Teacher of the Year celebration last week in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta. Sixteen teachers were named County Teachers of the Year representing each of our 16 Maine counties and they will be considered for the 2018 Maine State Teacher of the Year. There were 370 teachers nominated this year.

There are two arts teachers honored this year. Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year is Kaitlin Young of SeDoMoCha Elementary School. Kaitlin teaches PreK-8 music at the school in Dover-Foxcroft. And, Chris Goosman is Waldo County Teacher of the Year.

Center, Chris Goosman

She teaches theatre and social studies at Searsport High School.

Also attending the ceremony was Messalonskee music educator, Andy Forster, the 2016 Kennebec Teacher of the Year. We were both so proud of both Kaitlin and Chris representing Maine teachers and especially arts education!

Kaitlin’s nomination included: “Kaitlin has grown the music program exponentially during her six years at the school. She works tirelessly teaching students to love, respect, and learn from music.” You can read more about Kaitlin by CLICKING HERE.

Chris’ nomination included: “Chris is kind and caring to all students. She is patient with every student and always takes the extra time to help students truly understand what they are being taught. She views every student as a unique individual.”

Below is the list of the teachers representing each county.

2017 County Teachers of the Year:

• Androscoggin: Nesrene Griffin, Governor James Longley School
• Aroostook: Leslie Marquis, Fort Kent Community School
• Cumberland: Brooke Teller, Casco Bay High School
• Franklin: Allison Warman, Rangeley Lakes School
• Hancock: Marielle Edgecomb, The Peninsula School
• Kennebec: Lisette Bordes, Messalonskee High School
• Knox: Iris Eichenlaub, Camden Hills Regional High School
• Lincoln: Christopher Coleman, Great Salt Bay Community School
• Oxford: Janet Harriman, Sacopee Valley High School
• Penobscot: Kasie Giallombardo, Nokomis High School
• Piscataquis: Kaitlin Young, SeDoMoCha Elementary School
• Sagadahoc: John Dever, Mt. Ararat High School
• Somerset: Eric Brown, Lawrence High School
• Waldo: Christi Goosman, Searsport District High School
• Washington: Rhonda Stevens, Beatrice Rafferty School
• York: Jen England, Noble High School

Good luck to all of the county teachers of the year as they move to the next step in the state teacher of the year process and especially to Kaitlin and Chris!