Three Maine Educators Honored with Excellence in English Language Arts Awards

The Maine Council for English Language Arts (MCELA) has announced the recipients of its annual educator awards. Melissa Guerrette, a fifth-grade teacher at Oxford Elementary School, has been awarded the seventh annual Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award. Kim Barnes from Caribou Community School and Michele Aronson from Mt. Ararat Middle School have each been awarded the inaugural MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award.

The Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award honors outstanding English language arts and literacy educators who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, contributed to the profession, and shown a deep commitment to their students and community. Educators who are recognized embody the same dedication to student-centered learning and professional leadership as the award’s namesakes, Claudette and John Brassil, who collectively taught for more than 80 years in Maine public schools.

The MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award was established to recognize educators who go above and beyond in fostering a love of literacy, engaging students in meaningful learning, and advancing the profession through leadership and advocacy.

MCELA presented the Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award and the inaugural MCELA Teacher of Excellence Awards at the 2025 MCELA Conference on March 21 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, Maine.

As an award recipient, each awardee will receive complimentary conference registration, a one-year MCELA membership, and formal recognition during the event. They will also each present workshops at the 2025 MCELA conference to share an excellent teaching idea.

Additionally, MCELA will nominate Guerrette for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Teacher of Excellence Award.

For more information about MCELA and its award programs, please visit mainecela.org. Below, you can find more information about this year’s awardees.

Melissa Guerrette
Claudette and John Brassil Distinguished Educator Award
Fifth-Grade Teacher, Oxford Elementary School

Melissa Guerrette is an exemplary educator known for her deep commitment to student engagement, literacy, and community connections. With more than two decades of experience in the classroom, she is a passionate advocate for fostering inquiry-based learning, empowering students to see themselves as readers, writers, and critical thinkers. Guerrette creates a dynamic and welcoming learning environment that nurtures curiosity and supports the unique needs of every student.

Guerrette is a National Board Certified Teacher with a Master of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and French. Guerrette is also a 2022 Maine Teacher of the Year semifinalist, the 2021 Oxford County Teacher of the Year, and the 2025 recipient of the Karen MacDonald Service to Teaching Award. She is on the 2020 Fenway Bowl Honor Roll and was a 2018 Binnie Media Golden Apple Award winner.

“Melissa works tirelessly on her craft, is committed to growing personally and professionally, and lifts those around her to achieve their best. She is THAT teacher – the one who is remembered lovingly for generations and the one you hope any child in your family is lucky enough to call theirs,” Oxford Elementary School sixth-grade teacher Sara Lavertu wrote in her letter of recommendation for Guerrette to win this award.

Kim Barnes
MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award
Eighth-Grade English Language Arts Teacher, Caribou Community School

Kim Barnes is known for her ability to cultivate reading and writing engagement among her students. She is recognized for her thoughtful curriculum, which encourages critical thinking, creativity, and authentic learning experiences. Barnes has been recognized for her teaching excellence in the past: 1998 Distinguished Educator Award for Discipline, 2003 master’s degree in Educational Leadership, 2009 Plugged-In to Reading Teacher of the Month, 2017 Aroostook Right to Read Literacy Award Recipient, 2019 Aroostook County Teacher of the Year.

“Watching Kim in action, whether with students or colleagues, is inspiring to behold,” Heather Anderson, Barnes’ teaching colleague at Caribou Community School, wrote in her letter of recommendation for this award. “It often begins with a text to our eighth grade team of ‘I have an idea!’ These texts spark projects that transform our students and our school. Kim’s mind is like a fireball of innovation. She consistently sets goals and sees them through with her determination and focus.”

Barnes’ ideas spread beyond her classroom to the whole school and throughout the community and county. They often involve creating meaningful learning experiences for her students, which is key to the celebration of her as an MCELA Teacher of Excellence for 2025.

Michele Aronson
MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award
Seventh-Grade English Language Arts and Response to Intervention Literacy Teacher, Mt. Ararat Middle School

In addition to her role as a seventh-grade English Language Arts and Response to Intervention Literacy Teacher at Mt. Ararat Middle School, Michele Aronson is also a Critical Reading and Writing Instructor at Merrymeeting Adult Education. She is recognized for her commitment to fostering student voice, promoting inquiry-based learning, and mentoring fellow educators in best literacy practices.

“On a daily basis, Michele delights in the quirky mirth that only a group of adolescents can create,” Jonathan Beede, a social studies teacher at Mt. Ararat, described. “Whether Michele is leading an outdoor adventure to share her love of nature and physical activity; marshaling the sales team at our annual cookie bake-off; playing pied-piper through our community on walking-writing marathon field trips; rallying kids for fitness challenges during indoor motor breaks; inviting her grandson, Wyatt, to be a guest reader to her ELA classes; filling the hall with her cacophonous laugh; or anything else she can jump into to enliven her beloved Team Androscoggin—Ms. Aronson makes the experience of everyone lucky enough to be near her, bigger, brighter, and better.”

Aronson also fosters a love of learning in her students, which is key to the celebration of her as an MCELA Teacher of Excellence for 2025.

Augusta and Caribou Principals Recognized with Top Maine Principals’ Association Awards in 2025

The Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) has named Sylvio J. Gilbert Elementary School Principal Christina Boursaw as Maine’s 2025 NAESP National Distinguished Principal and Caribou High School Principal Jamie Selfridge as Maine’s 2025 NASSP Principal of the Year.

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal® (NDP) program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level principals. The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle-level and high school principals who have successfully provided high-quality learning opportunities for students.

Boursaw and Selfridge were each announced recently during all-school assemblies at their respective schools. The MPA will also honor both awardees at its annual Night of Excellence on May 22, 2025, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

The recognition of Ms. Boursaw as the 2025 Maine NAESP National Distinguished Principal is a testament to her dedication and leadership in fostering a thriving school community. As the heart of Sylvio J. Gilbert Elementary School, she is deeply invested in shaping a dynamic school-wide culture and championing strong academic practices. Under her leadership, student achievement has seen remarkable growth, and a profound sense of community has flourished.

“Christina Boursaw fosters a positive and inspiring school climate through innovative and meaningful initiatives,” Executive Director of the MPA Professional Division Holly Blair said. “Whether it’s creating uplifting visual displays that celebrate her staff, conducting instructional rounds to highlight best practices, or personally visiting every sixth grader’s home on a bus alongside staff to welcome them back as leaders of the school—her commitment to students and staff is unmatched.”

Boursaw earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from California Baptist University in 2005, followed by a master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Education from National University in San Diego. She later attained a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Redlands.

Her administrative career began in 2014 as principal of Brookside Elementary School in Beaumont, California. She then served as Director of Human Resources for the Beaumont Unified School District before returning to school leadership as principal of Arroyo Verde Elementary School in Highland, California in 2018. In 2021, she transitioned to Maine, leading Edgecomb Eddy School before assuming her current role as principal of Sylvio J. Gilbert Elementary School in Augusta in 2022.

Mrs. Selfridge has earned the title of 2025 Maine NASSP Principal of the Year in recognition of her unwavering dedication to Caribou High School and its students. Committed to fostering meaningful educational opportunities, she collaborates with both the school and the broader community to ensure student success. Her approach acknowledges the unique needs of each student, striving to make learning both relevant and engaging. A strong advocate for shared leadership, Selfridge’s impact extends across the entire school. Caribou High School and the greater Caribou community are fortunate to have such a devoted and visionary leader.

“Jamie Selfridge embodies the essence of an exceptional principal,” Blair said. “She consistently goes above and beyond to advance learning—not just within her school, but also at the state and national levels. She is a tireless advocate for principalship and education, and above all, she is a champion for every student.”

Mrs. Selfridge holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. She later earned her Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Educational Administration from St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine in 2013.

Her career in education began in 2007 as a teacher at Fort Fairfield Middle High School, where she later became principal in 2017. Since 2022, she has served as principal of Caribou High School. Beyond her role as an administrator, Mrs. Selfridge has contributed to the Maine Math Collaborative and has served as a facilitator for the NASSP Rural School Leadership Network.

To learn more about the Maine Principals’ Association, click here or reach out to mpa@mpa.cc.

Nominations Open for the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism

Nominations are open for the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism. Maine’s schools, volunteer leaders, nonprofit organizations, and service programs are invited to submit nominations by Monday, March 10, 2025.

The Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism celebrate and recognize the role of citizen volunteers in the success and vitality of Maine communities. There are a variety of categories for recognition, including Youth Maine Volunteer of the Year and Youth Roll of Honor. The category of Young Maine Volunteer Roll of Honor is non-competitive, meaning that all submissions will be recognized. Nominees must be 18 years of age or younger and have volunteered at least 50 hours in the prior year.

Nominations can be made by visiting Volunteer Maine’s webpage for the Governor’s Awards for Service and Volunteerism.

Volunteer Maine, the Maine Commission for Community Service, manages this program on behalf of the Office of the Governor. For further information and questions, please reach out to Volunteer Maine at service.commission@maine.gov.

Nominations Open for Outstanding Early Childhood Professional Spotlight

Do you know an outstanding early childhood professional who works with children from birth to age 8 in a childcare program, public school, private school, or home-visiting setting? If so, consider nominating them for the 2025 Week of the Young Child (WOYC) Outstanding Early Childhood Professional Spotlight! The deadline to nominate is March 21, 2025.

This annual recognition program, presented in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Early Learning Team and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Child and Family Services Early Care and Education Division, honors dedicated professionals who make a meaningful impact on young children and families.

Established in 1971 by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Week of the Young Child® highlights the importance of early childhood education and the foundational role it plays in a child’s success. This week also serves as an opportunity to celebrate the early care and education professionals who nurture and support children and families during this critical stage of growth and development.

Recognize an outstanding early childhood professional by submitting a nomination through the 2025 WOYC Spotlight nomination form. The submission deadline is Friday, March 21, at 11:59 p.m.

Nominees will be contacted prior to the Week of the Young Child, which takes place April 5-11, 2025. All nominees will receive a certificate of recognition and will be featured on the Maine DOE Newsroom and social media platforms. They will also be entered into a raffle for a gift basket.

For more information, please contact Michelle Belanger, Maine DOE Pre-K Partnership Specialist, at michelle.belanger@maine.gov or Meg Swanson, Community and Partnership Manager, at megan.swanson@maine.gov.

Nominations Open for 2025 History Teacher of the Year

Do you know an incredible history teacher who brings the past to life with passion and creativity? If so, consider nominating them as 2025 History Teacher of the Year! Nominations will be accepted until April 30, 2025.

Each year, the Gilder Lehrman Institute honors exceptional K-12 educators who inspire students through innovative history lessons. Winners are selected from every U.S. state and territory. They earn a $1,000 prize and a chance to compete for National History Teacher of the Year. The national winner receives a $10,000 prize and is celebrated at a ceremony in New York City.

Again, nominations close on April 30. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize an outstanding educator in Maine! You may submit your nomination here.

For more information about the History Teacher of the Year award, please contact Michele Mailhot, Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist, at michele.r.mailhot@maine.gov.

Cynthia Martell Named 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year

The Maine School Counselor Association (MESCA) has announced that Cynthia Martell, school counselor at Captain Albert Stevens Elementary School in Belfast, is the 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year. This award is part of a national program that honors school counselors who run a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at the elementary, middle, or high school level.

Martell was recognized, in part, because of the data-driven, comprehensive school counseling program she runs to support students at Captain Albert Stevens Elementary School. One of her innovative approaches is a program that addresses chronic absenteeism and its impact on students’ academic progress. The initiative organizes comprehensive support plans for students that improve attendance rates, foster student success, and strengthen the overall school culture.

“It is abundantly clear to me that collaboration and a multi-tiered system of support are essential in order to best support students with the mindsets and behaviors for student success in academics, social/emotional skills, and career readiness, as set forth by the American School Counselor Association,” Martell said.

Martell earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from the University of Colorado and obtained her master’s degree in counseling and guidance from the University of Alaska. She has been the school counselor at Captain Albert Stevens Elementary School since 2007.

“Cynthia is a dedicated and transformative educator whose work has had a profound impact on our students, families, and school community,” Dr. Ashley Reynolds, principal of Captain Albert Stevens Elementary School, said. “Her unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of our students and families, her ability to cultivate strong connections, and her leadership in making our school inclusive and equitable are truly remarkable.”

In the year ahead, Martell will have several speaking engagements and event appearances. In the winter of 2026, she will be invited to a formal gala in Washington, D.C. She will also be honored at the American School Counselor Association Annual Conference in New Orleans in the summer of 2026.

The Maine School Counselor of the Year is announced as part of National School Counseling Week, celebrated annually during the first full week in February. For further questions about the MESCA School Counselor of the Year award, please view the MESCA website or reach out to MESCA Board Chair Rebecca Edelman at chair@maineschoolcounselor.org.

Julie Smyth, Maine DOE Director of the Office of School and Student Supports, Megan Walter, Maine DOE Associate Commissioner of Public Instruction; Cinthia Martell, 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year; Bear Shea, Maine DOE Coordinator of Culture, Climate, Resilience Team — Left to right: Julie Smyth, Maine DOE Director of the Office of School and Student Supports; Megan Welter, Maine DOE Associate Commissioner of Public Education; Cynthia Martell, 2025 Maine School Counselor of the Year; Bear Shea, Maine DOE Coordinator of Culture, Climate, Resilience Team.

Five Maine Teachers Honored with Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

On January 13, 2025, President Biden announced 336 teachers and mentors from across the nation as recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). These awards honor the vital role that America’s teachers and mentors play in shaping the next generation of technical leaders, including scientists, engineers, explorers, and innovators.

The recently-announced honorees were recognized from 2021 through 2023 and included five Maine educators.

Maine’s 2021-2023 PAEMST Awardees:

Nominees complete a rigorous application process to demonstrate deep content knowledge and an ability to adapt to a broad range of learners and teaching environments. A panel of distinguished mathematicians, scientists, and educators at the state and national levels assesses nominations before recommending awardees to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving STEM education.

A national selection committee assesses the nominations before recommending awardees to the National Science Foundation and OSTP. The National Science Foundation, which manages PAEMST and PAESMEM on behalf of OSTP, provides each recipient $10,000.

Established in 1983, the PAEMST is the highest award K-12 math and science teachers can receive from the U.S. government. Award recipients represent schools and organizations from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools, and the U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands).

Nominations are currently open for the 2024-2025 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science (PAEMST). Please consider nominating an excellent grade 7-12 educator or applying on the PAEMST website. The deadline to nominate/apply is Thursday, February 6, 2025.

For more information, please visit PAEMST (www.paemst.org) and PAESMEM (www.paesmem.net) online.

Mountain Valley High School Health Teacher Kristen Allen Named 2025 SHAPE America Eastern District Health Teacher of the Year

On December 16, 2024, the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) announced that Mountain Valley High School Health Education Teacher Kristen Allen was selected as the Eastern District Health Teacher of the Year. Kristen has taught health education at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford for more than 18 years.

Allen’s Eastern District Health Teacher of the Year journey began when she was named the 2022 High School Health Education Teacher of the Year by the Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AHPERD).

All of the Maine AHPERD Teacher of the Year awardees are eligible to submit application materials for Eastern District Teacher of the Year. The Eastern District, one of SHAPE America’s five districts, includes all New England states, plus Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

“I want my students to be able to navigate life in a way that enhances their health and the health of those around them,” Allen said. “I want my students to remember that the skills they learned and practiced in my classroom, like decision-making, communication, and self-management, can be applied in the real world to improve relationships, manage emotions, and know where and when to go for help.”

Allen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Health Education from the University of Maine at Farmington and her master’s degree in public health from the University of New England in Biddeford. In addition to teaching and coordinating extracurricular groups at Mountain Valley High School, Allen also teaches School Health Education courses at the University of Maine at Farmington.

“The choices students make each day eventually turn into habits and their lifestyle. Establishing healthy habits at a young age will not only lead to a longer life but a better quality of life,” Allen said.

“When one of our teachers is recognized on a national level, there is a strong sense of Falcon pride,” Thomas Danylik, the principal at Mountain Valley High School, said.

Danylik noted that Kristen builds strong relationships in her classroom, and students are drawn to her, with a desire to continue that mentorship outside of the classroom through extracurricular activities.

“This speaks volumes about the kind of teacher Allen is and how much respect our students have for her,” Danylik said.

Allen is now an official candidate for National High School Health Teacher of the Year. These awards will be announced at the SHAPE America Convention, scheduled for April 1-5, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland.

For more information about SHAPE America, you may click here.

Nominations Now Open for State and County Teachers of the Year

The Maine Teacher of the Year journey begins with your nomination! Nominate a teacher from your town, county, or region today at www.mainetoy.org/nominate. Nominations are open through January 31.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Educate Maine are excited to announce that nominations are officially open for the 2025 County Teachers of the Year and the 2026 State Teacher of the Year. Maine’s State and County Teachers of the Year serve as advocates for teachers, students, and public education in Maine.

“The Maine Teacher of the Year program is an excellent opportunity to recognize the extraordinary educators across our state who are dedicated to their schools and communities – and who are engaging, inspiring, and motivating their students every day,” Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin said. “These nominations will give 16 Maine teachers a prominent platform to share the wonderful, innovative happenings in Maine’s classrooms and advocate for public education.”

Nominations can be made now through 5 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025 through a form on the Maine Teacher of the Year website. Nominations will be accepted from students, parents, caregivers, community members, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members, and associations/organizations. Self-nominations and nominations from family members are not accepted.

Teachers who are nominated must:

Hold the appropriate professional certification for their teaching position;
Be a certified, in-good-standing, pre-K-12 teacher in a state-accredited public school – including career and technical education and adult education centers, public charter schools, or publicly-supported secondary schools (i.e. private schools that enroll 60 percent or more publicly-funded students, sometimes referred to as “town academies”);
Be actively teaching students at least 50% of the workday at the time of nomination and during their year of recognition;
Maintain their teaching position and remain in the county for which they are selected throughout the year of recognition;
Have a minimum of five years of teaching, three of which are in Maine.

Beyond serving as advocates for education, Maine’s State and County Teachers of the Year serve as advisors to the Maine DOE and state-level education stakeholders across Maine. State and County Teachers of the Year also join a cohort of teacher leaders who actively work together for the betterment of education in Maine. They receive ongoing professional learning and participate in many county and state leadership opportunities.

The 2025 County Teachers of the Year will be announced in May, and the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year will be selected from the 16 county honorees. Through a selection process designed by educators, the field will be narrowed to semi-finalists and then state finalists before the Maine Teacher of the Year is announced by the Commissioner of the Maine DOE at a school assembly in the fall. Each year, State and County Teachers of the Year are honored at the annual Teacher of the Year Gala.

On behalf of, and in partnership with, the Maine DOE, the Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine, a business-led organization with a mission of championing college, career readiness, and increased educational attainment. Funding is provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River Company, Geiger, Hannaford, the Maine State Lottery, the Silvernail family, and Unum, with support from the State Board of Education and the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association.

“Educate Maine is honored to continue our partnership with the Maine Department of Education to administer the Maine Teacher of the Year program,” Educate Maine Executive Director Dr. Jason Judd said. “Our State and County Teachers of the Year exemplify the incredible dedication, innovation, and impact of educators across Maine. This program celebrates the vital role teachers play in shaping our future, elevates their voices, and strengthens the profession through leadership and advocacy.”

The Maine Teacher of the Year program is committed to a nomination and selection process that ensures people of all backgrounds are represented. Educate Maine and the Maine DOE champion that commitment by encouraging the nomination of educators from all culturally-diverse experiences and backgrounds. Our goal is to expand and diversify our nomination pool.

Through the generous support of Maine businesses, there is no cost to the local district when the Maine Teacher of the Year is out of the classroom on their official duties, which include representing educators statewide and nationally and highlighting the important work of Maine schools, communities, and educators.

For more information about the Maine Teacher of the Year program, please visit the Maine Teacher of the Year website.

Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Announces 2024 Awardees

Five educators have been named 2024 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (Maine AHPERD) Teachers of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding health education, physical education, and adapted physical education teachers who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their students and profession.

This year’s Maine AHPERD Teachers of the Year include:

Deb Draper, Freeport High School, High School PE

Michele Crawford, Mt. Ararat Middle School (Topsham), Middle School PE

Bethany Fox, Thomas J. McMahon Elementary School (Lewiston), Elementary PE

Lizz Theriault, Ashland District School, High School Health ED

Yvonne Perry, Nokomis Regional Middle School (Newport), , Middle School Health ED

In addition to Teachers of the Year, Maine APHERD also recognizes individuals and a community partner organization who serve as strong supporters of the Maine APHERD mission. For 2024, they include:

Dr. Rose Marie Angell, Distinguished Leadership

Additionally, Maine APHERD has recognized eight students hailing from seven Maine institutes of higher education as 2024 Outstanding Future Professionals in health and physical education: