2027 Maine Teacher of the Year State Finalists Announced

Congratulations to Abby McCoy from Androscoggin County, Adrianne Shetenhelm from Cumberland County, Gretchen Livingston from Kennebec County, and Gina Welch from Oxford County.

Augusta, MAINE—Four Maine educators have been announced as state finalists for 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year. Abby McCoy, a Chemistry and Forensic Science Teacher at Lewiston High School; Adrianne Shetenhelm, an English and Alternative Education Teacher at Windham High School; Gretchen Livingston, a Spanish Teacher at Cony Middle and High School; and Gina Welch, a Pre-K Teacher at Crescent Park Elementary School, were selected from the 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year cohort to move forward in the Teacher of the Year process.

“Maine teachers are going above and beyond every day. They challenge and inspire their students with creative learning experiences, build relationships and partnerships with the families and communities they serve, and create opportunities for all students to excel,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “We are thrilled to celebrate the transformative impact teachers have on students and communities across Maine.”

One of the four state finalists will be named 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year, an honor bestowed annually upon one educator in Maine. This announcement will be made in October, after the final stages of the selection process are complete. Maine’s Teacher of the Year serves as an advocate for the teaching profession, as well as Maine schools and students, and represents Maine in the National Teacher of the Year Program.

Each County Teacher of the Year  was nominated for this recognition because of their exemplary service in education and dedication to their students. A distinguished panel of teachers, principals, and members of the business community selected them from a pool of hundreds of other nominated educators. The Maine DOE, Educate Maine, the Maine State Board of Education, and the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association (MCSTOYA) announced the state finalists.

“We have wonderful teachers across Maine, and the talent and dedication of the four state finalists for Teacher of the Year are a reflection of that,” Educate Maine’s interim executive director Kate Howell said. “We are inspired by their example and their individual stories, and look forward to celebrating and supporting the finalists and the entire 2026 County Teacher of the Year cohort. As leaders in their profession, they make a meaningful difference in the lives of their students every day.”
 
“The 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year finalists exemplify the pinnacle of our profession—educators who ignite curiosity, cultivate a passion for learning, and profoundly impact the lives of students each day,” Maine State Board of Education Chair Paulette Bonneau said. “Their commitment and creativity reflect the resilience of Maine’s schools and the bright future ahead.”

“We have already learned so much from these four finalists and can’t wait for the rest of the state to get to know their incredible talent and expertise,” Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association co-president Emilie Throckmorton said. “We look forward to folding them into the strong network of educators that we already work with and continuing to be inspired by them.”

More about the 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year state finalists:

Abigail McCoy is a chemistry and forensic science teacher at Lewiston High School and the 2026 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Haverford College. McCoy creates engaging, hands-on learning experiences that encourage students to explore, question, and approach challenges with curiosity and confidence. She has advised Lewiston High School’s Black Student Union since students established the organization in 2019, helping create leadership opportunities and strengthen connections within the school community. McCoy also supports fellow educators as the science department’s content leader, helping teachers implement laboratory experiences and leading interdisciplinary professional development focused on making rigorous content more accessible to multilingual learners.

“To be a 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year finalist is a huge honor. I am humbled and grateful to be a part of this process and to learn so much from my fellow finalists,” McCoy said. “It’s also incredible to be a representative of Lewiston, a beautiful microcosm of Maine. It allows me to raise the voices of new Mainers of different races, religions, and cultures and bring them forward into our education system. I hope to use this platform to raise awareness of AI’s impact on students’ mental health and access to learning. It is critical that we understand the societal effects of AI, as I have seen it negatively affect students’ creativity and critical thinking, two essential things that keep us human.”

Adrianne Shetenhelm has 19 years of experience in the English classroom, including 11 years leading Alternative Programming for Excellence (APEX) at Windham High School. She is the 2026 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year. Shetenhelm holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from Wheaton College and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College. She is currently pursuing a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Maine. Through APEX, Shetenhelm provides self-paced, individualized learning pathways for students who may not thrive in conventional school structures, demonstrating her belief that rigor and flexibility can work together. She chairs her school’s Alternative Pathways Department, serves on the Extended Learning Opportunities Committee, mentors new teachers, and co-founded Student Exploratory Adventures, which connects students with local businesses and career opportunities.

“I am honored to be named a 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year State finalist, and it means the world to share this with the students, staff, and community of Windham High School who make my work possible,” Shetenhelm said. “As an alternative educator, I’ve built my career on the belief that trusting students and offering multiple pathways to success can be a lifeline. This recognition gives me a platform to spotlight that belief statewide. I hope to shine a light on the personalized, interdisciplinary learning happening in programs like APEX, where rigor and individualization aren’t a trade-off. More than anything, I want this moment to celebrate the dedicated Maine educators and their community partners who are quietly building those same pathways in their own schools.”

Gretchen Livingston is a Spanish teacher at Cony Middle and High School in Augusta and the 2026 Kennebec County Teacher of the Year. With 25 years of experience teaching Spanish in Maine, she teaches Spanish Levels 1–6 for students in grades 8–12 and has chaired the World Language Department since 2014. She also serves as the district’s Seal of Biliteracy coordinator. Livingston holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Tufts University and a master’s degree in Teaching from the School for International Training. Her student-centered approach combines authentic communication, cultural connections, project-based learning, and service learning. She has led eight student service-learning trips to Guatemala and is planning a ninth. Livingston also founded the Cony Girls Lacrosse team in 2006 and continues to coach.

“Being a 2027 MTOY Finalist is humbling, inspiring, and motivating,” Livingston said. “I am humbled by the extraordinary work of educators across Maine and inspired by how educators in my district transform students’ lives. I am motivated to use this platform to elevate every voice and story, ensuring that everyone in our schools knows they belong. This recognition shines a light on the tremendous work happening in Augusta Public Schools and throughout Maine. At the heart of that work, regardless of age or subject, is language. Language is not a barrier—it is an asset and a bridge. It builds empathy, opens doors, and helps us see how our differences make our schools, communities, and world stronger.”

Gina Welch is a pre-kindergarten teacher at Crescent Park Elementary School in Bethel and the 2026 Oxford County Teacher of the Year. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maine at Farmington and a master’s degree in Educational Studies from the University of New Hampshire. Welch brings more than two decades of early childhood experience, including 17 years with Early Head Start and Head Start, where she served as a home visitor, lead classroom teacher, and family engagement manager. When Crescent Park launched its first pre-kindergarten classroom, Welch became its founding teacher. Her play-based, child-centered approach emphasizes curiosity, hands-on learning, and strong relationships with students and families. She also serves as a mentor teacher, supporting educators in strengthening their practice and building meaningful family partnerships.

“Being named a 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year finalist is an incredible honor, and I am especially proud to shine a light on a school district that has continually encouraged and supported me in becoming the very best teacher I can be. I also see this recognition as a reflection of the outstanding colleagues and administrators who have supported, challenged, and inspired me throughout my career; this honor truly belongs to all of us,” Welch said. “I hope this platform allows me to highlight and elevate the power of relationships between teachers, students, families, and communities and the important role teachers can play as leaders in building those connections. I believe that when we intentionally strengthen those relationships, we create schools where every child and family feels that they belong, which in turn impacts student outcomes.”

More about the Maine Teacher of the Year program:

The Maine Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year program is administered through a unique partnership with Educate Maine, the Maine State Board of Education, and the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association. Funding for the program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Geiger, the Maine State Lottery, and Unum.

For more information about the Maine Teacher of the Year program, and to see a list of Maine County Teachers of the Year and Maine State Teachers of the Year, click here.