The Maine Department of Education is accepting nominations for the 2013 Maine Teacher of the Year through Feb. 29, 2012. Anyone — parents, students, fellow teachers, administrators — can nominate a teacher for this special recognition.
Any certified Maine teacher or specialist currently giving daily classroom instruction in a Maine-approved public or private elementary, secondary, or vocational school can be nominated.
The Teacher of the Year Program does not attempt to single out any individual as the best teacher in Maine, but rather honor one teacher who represents all the excellent teachers in our state. Selecting a Teacher of the Year is an exceptional way to celebrate the many outstanding and dedicated professionals teaching in Maine schools.
The 2013 Teacher of the Year will automatically become part of the National Teacher of the Year Program. This includes an annual conference in Dallas, Texas, in January 2013, a National Teacher Forum in Washington, D.C., in April 2013, “Space Camp” at NASA’s Alabama headquarters in July 2013, and a national education conference in Princeton, N.J., in September 2013. All semi-finalists who complete the process will be honored at a banquet in Fall 2012.
While it is a local decision how to nominate a teacher from a unit or school, the use of a local nominating committee of at least three colleagues of the nominee is encouraged. This committee might also include a parent, school board member, student and/or other members of the school community.
For detailed information about the selection criteria and nomination process, a downloadable nomination form, guidelines, and an example of a school unit process that incorporates Teacher of the Year nominations into its annual teacher recognition activities, visit: www.maine.gov/education/toy.
Contact Jennifer Pooler at 207-624-6638 or jennifer.pooler@maine.gov with any questions.