Nominations for the Maine Teacher of the Year program are open through Friday, January 30, 2026.
STATEWIDE, Maine—Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program, which celebrates excellence in teaching and elevates the importance of the teaching profession. Traditionally, Maine selects a County Teacher of the Year from each of Maine’s 16 counties. One of those educators is later named State Teacher of the Year and also becomes Maine’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year.
Maine’s State and County Teachers of the Year serve as ambassadors of the teaching profession and advocate for the quality education of Maine students. Throughout their year of service, these teachers have the opportunity to create a greater public awareness about the inspiring work happening in Maine schools, amplify the voices of fellow educators, and assist in ongoing efforts to strengthen Maine’s educator workforce. They receive ongoing professional learning and participate in county-, state-, and nation-wide leadership opportunities.
Anyone—from students, to parents, to school administrators and colleagues, to community members—is encouraged to nominate an educator for the Maine Teacher of the Year program! Nominations are open now through Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. To nominate, please fill out this form. Self-nominations and nominations from family members will not be accepted.
Becky Hallowell, 2025 Maine State Teacher of the Year, said her journey began with a nomination for 2024 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year. She shared the impact that the past year has had on her life:
“The experiences I have had as Maine Teacher of the Year have been transformative. I made connections throughout our state and nation with astounding educators, supportive community members, and cutting-edge business leaders. I encourage everyone to nominate an influential teacher for Maine County Teacher of the Year recognition. The nomination itself tells teachers that they are seen and appreciated. Additionally, every County Teacher of the Year joins a collaborative cohort that works to bring out the best in all teachers across the state.”
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Educate Maine, a business-led organization with a mission of championing college and career readiness, work collaboratively to manage and administer the Maine Teacher of the Year program. Funding is provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Geiger, Maine State Lottery, and Unum, with support from the Maine State Board of Education and the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association. Through the generous support of these businesses, there is no cost to the local school district when the Maine Teacher of the Year is out of the classroom on their official duties.
“The Maine Department of Education proudly supports the Maine Teacher of the Year program, an excellent opportunity every year to celebrate the dedicated, talented educators in our state whose hard work often goes unrecognized,” Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin said. “We encourage all Mainers to consider nominating a teacher who has made a positive impact on their local community.”
“We are thrilled that nominations are now open for 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year,” Jason Judd, Ed.D, Executive Director of Educate Maine, said. “Maine has wonderful educators across all 16 counties, and we hope you will consider nominating an educator in your community for this important recognition.”
Teachers who are nominated for the Maine Teacher of the Year program must:
Hold the appropriate professional certification for their teaching position;
Be a certified, in-good-standing, pre-K—grade 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 percent 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 their year of recognition;
Have a minimum of five years of teaching, three of which are in Maine.
The 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year will be announced in May. Through a selection process designed by educators, that pool will then be narrowed to semi-finalists and state finalists before the 2027 Maine State Teacher of the Year is announced in the fall.
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 culturally diverse experiences and backgrounds.
2026 Maine Teacher of the Year Julia Edwards is a choral music teacher at Bruce Whittier Middle School and Poland Regional High School.
Poland, MAINE—The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Educate Maine are excited to announce Bruce Whittier Middle School/Poland Regional High School choral music teacher Julia Edwards as the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year. On Thursday, October 16, 2025, Edwards celebrated this award with fellow RSU 16 educators and students during a surprise ceremony in the Poland Regional High School gymnasium.
“Congratulations to Julia Edwards on earning this well-deserved recognition as 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year!” Pender Makin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, said. “Her enthusiasm for music and its ability to serve as a connector across cultures and differences is remarkable, and her gift for extending that love of the arts to her students is admirable. Maine is lucky to have Julia representing and advocating for educators statewide throughout the next year.”
Hundreds of educators across the state were nominated for the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year process. In May, Edwards was selected as the 2025 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year, alongside 15 other County Teachers of the Year. In August, Edwards became one of four state finalists before she was ultimately named 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year.
“Music is at the root of some of the best learning in history. Try to summon up the elementary lessons that have stuck with you, and you’ll often find them attached to rhythm or song. As a community, we find our shared humanity through music. It builds bridges; it spans generations and cultures; and it holds power for positive change,” said Julia Edwards, 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year. “We are fortunate that, in addition to living in a state filled with stellar educators, we can also celebrate Maine’s music programs that serve both their students and communities.”
Edwards is the choral music teacher at RSU 16’s Bruce Whittier Middle School and Poland Regional High School in Poland. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, where she studied oboe and served as a teaching fellow for the Children’s Chorus of Springfield. She returned home to Bridgton after graduating college to teach elementary music in North Conway, New Hampshire for two years before accepting her current position in the fall of 2012.
Edwards’ leadership experience at Poland Regional High School includes coordinating the “Roundtable” grade-level advisory program and serving as coordinator for the all-virtual learning program during the hybrid school year. As an advocate for professional collaboration, she served on the District Professional Learning Committee, where she proposed and co-created RSU 16’s annual district-wide conference. She finds the most joy, however, in working with her students. Edwards believes that all students deserve access to an excellent music education, regardless of their background, identity, or geographical location. Cultural curiosity and musicianship are at the core of her teaching philosophy, and she has worked to create many intercultural and intergenerational experiences for her students and community.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Edwards has served as a guest clinician and manager for district and state festivals in Maine and has presented on pedagogical topics for state, regional, and national conferences. She recently moved into the role of president for the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, where she is working to expand community singing opportunities throughout the state. As an advocate for cultural curiosity, Edwards has designed a Cultural Context Curriculum, which helps students to develop tools for ethically and enthusiastically exploring the world around them, as well as skills to be better world citizens. She believes music and community are synonymous, and she loves participating in the music community as a listener and performer.
Outside of teaching, Edwards enjoys skiing, cross-stitching, playing concerts with her folk band, “Bold Riley,” and exploring the Maine outdoors with her husband, two children, and rowdy dog, Baxter.
The Maine Teacher of the Year Program is a year-long process that involves educator portfolio and resume submissions, interviews, oral presentations, and classroom visits made by a selection panel comprised of Maine State Board of Education members, school administrators, Maine DOE staff, legacy Maine Teachers of the Year, and Maine business partners.
“I want to offer a huge congratulations to Julia Edwards for being named the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year,” said Jason Judd, Ed. D., executive director of Educate Maine. “This recognition honors Julia’s innovative practice, her enthusiasm for the work, and her unique connection to her students. In her classroom, Julia demonstrates every day what it truly means to be a teacher of impact.”
As 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year, Edwards will spend her year of service advocating for students and teachers and speaking about the importance of education in preparing Maine’s next generation of leaders for the future. She will also represent Maine in the National Teacher of the Year program.
“Julia is about to have one of the most meaningful years of her life,” said Becky Hallowell, the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year. “Mainers are fortunate to have Julia representing them. She has a gift for reaching out to all to celebrate the joy that music brings to us all. Julia’s natural generosity of spirit indicates that the entire community will be lifted and celebrated while she serves as the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year.”
“Anyone who has seen Julia in action knows that her classroom is a place filled with laughter, learning, and genuine connection. She is the teacher who every student remembers—the one who believes in them, challenges them, and helps them discover their confidence,” said Amy Hediger, superintendent of RSU 16. “We could not be more proud that Maine has recognized what our community has long known: Julia Edwards is extraordinary.”
The Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine, a business-led advocacy organization, in partnership with the Maine DOE, 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, Unum, Hannaford Supermarket, Geiger, Maine State Lottery, and the Silvernail family.
For more information about the Maine Teacher of the Year program, visit mainetoy.org.
Benjamin Johnson commands the room during his Latin I class at Hampden Academy.
Walk into Benjamin Johnson’s classroom at Hampden Academy, and you will find teenagers who are enthusiastic, laughing, and engaged. Placed on a desk in the corner of the room is a bottle of olive oil, sprigs of thyme, and an open bag of almonds. This isn’t a cooking class, though; it’s Latin I.
Johnson has worked at Hampden Academy as a Latin teacher for more than 20 years. When he first joined the school in the early 2000s, the Latin program was very small and lacked student interest. Ruey Yehle, former Hampden Academy principal who hired Johnson, said she remembers when that dynamic began to change.
“Within a few years [of Johnson’s hiring], the [Latin] program just exploded—and it was because of Ben’s reaching out to kids,” Yehle explained. “He welcomed everybody, and he made it so that they were successful.”
A running joke among Hampden Academy administrators past and present is how Johnson has turned an antiquated language into a subject that many students end up pursuing for all four years of high school—even pushing through the challenging AP Seminar with Johnson’s help.
“The enthusiasm that he brings to others and that dead language just speaks to him as a person,” Reg Ruhlin, former RSU 22 principal, said.
“What I’ve noticed about Ben is that he talks to the kids like they’re young adults,” Ryan Crane, RSU 22 assistant principal, said. “I can see students going to him and having authentic conversations with him about meaningful stuff.”
Benjamin Johnson conducts a sensory activity in Latin I that amuses students and gets them to think about ancient Rome.
In May, Johnson was announced as 2025 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year, and he is now one of four state finalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year. During the week of September 22, as part of the final stage for the Teacher of the Year selection process, a panel of state leaders visited RSU 22 to see Johnson in his classroom—and to hear from the students, colleagues, administrators, and community members who know him best.
One of those colleagues—who Johnson met through his deep involvement with the National Junior Classical League (NJCL) Convention—flew all the way to Maine from Texas to share his thoughts.
“Ben is one of the few educators who truly inspired me to be better,” Lee said. “What truly sets Ben apart is that he is an advocate and a champion of all children.”
Lee recalled an instance at a recent NJCL Convention when a student from a school without a lot of resources in Louisiana decided to run for the position of secretary of the organization. Johnson felt that there was a moment of injustice, as other students were acting unkindly to her, and he spoke up on this student’s behalf—despite the fact that they did not know one another.
“He truly believes that Latin is for all,” Lee expressed.
A poster at Hampden Academy recruits students for the Junior Classical League club.
A board in Benajmin Johnson’s classroom shows the wide impact that the Junior Classical League club has had on Hampden Academy.
That sense of welcoming has made a major impact on school culture. At Hampden Academy to-date, there are more than 70 students involved in the Junior Classical League (JCL) club, making it one of the most popular groups at the school. Johnson leads Hampden’s and Maine’s JCLs, organizing trips for students to the NJCL Convention and to Greece/Italy. Johnson took the initiative to create scholarships for students in need, ensuring that no one misses out on a learning opportunity for reasons beyond their control.
“Latin continues to have the largest numbers [at Hampden Academy]—for a language that is no longer in use! People want to take Latin,” Nick Raymond, RSU 22 superintendent, said.
“My son signed up for Latin to do two years of a language and be done. The next thing I knew, he had joined JCL. The next thing I knew, I was sewing togas,” school nurse Barb Parent recounted. “When I said to [my son], ‘Why are you signing up for Latin III?’ He said, ‘Because I can’t not have Mr. Johnson again.’”
Benjamin Johnson’s Latin I class is filled to the brim with dedicated students.
The Hampden Academy Junior Classical League club has won so many trophies that they don’t all fit into the school’s display case!
Other parents shared similar stories about their kids’ experiences with Johnson. One mother testified that her son told her that learning Latin with Johnson was helping him to improve in other classes, like Spanish and English Language Arts. Another mother expressed her gratitude for Johnson’s reliable communication with families. A third said that Johnson’s students not only like him; they respect him.
“Part of what makes Ben so great is that he expresses to the kids a sincere belief that they can do it—and he doesn’t let the bar down,” mother Cindy Isenhour expressed.
With Johnson’s humble disposition, you would never guess that he has made a name for himself on the national and international levels, as well, for his use of technology in the Latin classroom. Johnson runs the LatinTutorial YouTube channel with more than 125,000 subscribers. He has also created digital tools like Latintutorial.com and Hexameter.co that are used by tens of thousands of learners worldwide.
“My daughter came home [from an NJCL Conference] and said, ‘Everybody knows who Mr. Johnson is!’” Cora Swalec, parent of five former Hampden Academy students who all took Johnson’s Latin classes, said. “She was amazed even being from little old Hampden, Maine how famous Ben was.”
Benjamin Johnson is known for integrating modern-day technology into his Latin program.
When observing Johnson lead his students during class—with a cheerful disposition yet persistent encouragement to have them try their best and step outside of their comfort zones—it is clear why he is beloved.
“I don’t really believe in myself sometimes, and I doubt myself. Every year, I have doubted my ability in Latin to succeed, and Mr. Johnson has told me that I can do it. And, I’m still in it!” Coleman Chase said.
“He is like Superman. He does so many things for our school and our community,” Katie Dysart added.
“He speaks to the principle that you should learn to learn and not learn for the grades,” Leif Isenhour noted.
Students in Latin I work diligently to translate and solve a riddle.
Johnson said that no matter the result of the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year selection process, he is excited to continue the work that he cares so deeply about—keeping the lure of Latin alive in public schools.
“Latin has a problem with elitism, and we need to break that down,” Johnson said.
Bridget Wright, the 2025 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year and a finalist for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year, welcomed a panel of selection committee members to Lincoln Academy this week to see her teaching in action and hear from those who know her best.
An English teacher at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, Wright is known for fostering curiosity, encouraging academic risk-taking, and creating classrooms where students grow as writers, readers, researchers, and critical thinkers. Her teaching blends creativity with rigorous academic practice, using outside-of-the-box approaches to meet students where they are.
While visiting the school, the panel met with administrators, faculty members, students, and community members who shared stories and insight into what makes Wright such an exceptional educator and human being. Panelists also toured the school and visited Wright’s classroom to see her innovative teaching in action.
A student shared that they had previously disliked Shakespeare and felt anxious about studying his work until they took Ms. Wright’s class. Wright made the “Romeo and Juliet” unit engaging and fun by adapting a popular online format into an activity called “Am I the Arse?” Students wrote posts from the perspective of characters, blending humor with deep character analysis. The activity kept the class entertained while also helping them to gain a richer understanding of the play, which the student described as a genius idea. Students also regularly act out Shakespeare scenes, including light saber duels, to explore character development and descriptive writing.
Wright goes above and beyond to emphasize reflective learning. Lincoln County Executive Assistant Trish Jonason, who is also a parent and community member, shared that during a challenging sophomore research project, Wright supported her son and other students by pausing the work and introducing a reflective “Books that Raised You” assignment, which reignited her son’s creativity and joy in writing. The project became deeply meaningful for not only her son but the entire family, connecting them to childhood reading experiences and highlighting the lasting impact of those moments.
Wright’s focus on writing development has transformed student learning at Lincoln Academy. She founded a student-staffed Writing Center, giving students leadership experience and peer mentoring opportunities. Located in the library’s annex, the Writing Center is a space where students can get peer input and review on writing assignments. A student involved in the center explained, “It’s not about telling someone what a good paper is. It’s about listening to their ideas and helping them get closer to what they want.”
Lincoln Academy senior Eleri Jordan sits in the Writing Center ready to help students who stop by for help with their writing assignments.
Colleagues also praised Wright’s collaboration and innovation with the school’s “I-Search Project.” This capstone assignment challenges students to choose a research topic and write an in-depth paper—a major undertaking for students.
“She pushed the I-Search Project forward in ways that made it relevant to more students and elevated their critical thinking,” Director of Library Services Laura Phelps said. “Her impact on students has been profound.”
A student described Wright’s approach to helping with the I-Search Project, which felt overwhelming at first: “She made it very personal. It could be about any topic you wanted, as long as it interested you. She mapped out the process in baby steps, so it wasn’t overwhelming. That was something I needed to learn, and it applies to all my writing now.”
“She really works with kids to help them simultaneously understand what their areas of interest are and how to learn more about something that they care about,” Kelley Duffy, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and one of Wright’s nominators for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year, added. “The work that she’s doing there, the practice she’s having in her classes with that, is really informing how we now design some of the capstone work.”
Lincoln Academy Head of Schools Jeffrey Burroughs further highlighted Wright’s influence beyond the classroom: “She has a voice here because of the work that she has done that’s affecting what we’re doing from a policy standpoint. There’s a lot to her that is beyond just what you see in the class.”
The entire school community has a wealth of stories of connection, generosity, and personal growth to share about Wright. Her dedication to students and the community extends beyond academics. She is known not only as a safe space for students to share struggles but also as someone who celebrates birthdays with a specially baked treat, keeps chocolate on hand for students who are having a bad day, and ensures that kids have essentials like glasses wipes.
“She takes individual relationships with students really seriously,” a student shared. “She’ll write a letter at the end of the year or leave a sticky note appreciating something you did. She makes sure people feel appreciated.”
“She is fantastic with students and is also just a fantastic coworker,” colleague Prema Long said. Long shared a story of watching Wright’s class for 20 minutes one time and being thanked the next day with a pumpkin-spice latte and a thank-you Post-it note.
“We shared an adjoining door for three years. She was the best person to work next to,” fellow English teacher Jack DeAngelis added. “We never taught the same classes, but having her voice right there was so important to me—to talk with her about big picture things but also exactly what I was going to ask my students to do in the next 10 minutes.”
Parents also celebrate Wright’s compassion and innovation. A Lincoln Academy parent shared how his daughter struggled academically from an early age due to a learning disability. When she entered high school, she continued to fail most of her classes except English. Wright recognized that while the student had difficulty writing, she was highly verbal and articulate. By allowing her to express her thoughts out-loud, and then helping to translate them into written form, Wright revealed the student’s brilliance and gave her a way to succeed.
Holly Arbuckle, a parent and local business leader, emphasized that while all teachers are caring and hardworking, what sets Wright apart is her innovation. She has transformed how writing is taught by focusing on process over product—helping students to measure growth against themselves rather than others. By allowing rewrites with clear feedback, she creates space for all students, regardless of background or starting point, to develop as writers. Her approach encourages vulnerability, restores confidence, and makes writing meaningful rather than punitive.
“She is really good at seeing the big picture and then instituting systems and processes that will get both herself and her students where they need to be,” English Academic Lead Brenda Sawyer said.
As the Maine Teacher of the Year selection process enters its final stages, Wright’s innovative teaching, compassion, and collaborative spirit exemplify the qualities that make Maine educators exceptional.
“It’d be great if she got the award, but I don’t think it’s going to stop anything,” parent and community member Sara MacCorkle said. “She’s not doing this to get an award. This is just who she is and how she moves.”
Dawn Lee connects with a student over artwork during a Unified Literacy class.
In the hallways of Morse High School, the sense of school pride is palpable. On a regular Tuesday in September, cerulean attire—representing the Shipbuilders’ school spirit color—dots the sea of students transitioning from class to class. Teenagers smile at one another, occasionally shouting a name to wave a greeting excitedly from a distance. One word comes to mind in this cheerful, bustling morning moment: inclusivity.
For Morse High School librarian Dawn Lee, inclusion has been a focal point of her career. She is a founding leader of the school’s Unified Literacy program, which has been recognized at the national level for bringing students with and without intellectual disabilities together through reading, writing, and art. Lee is also the 2025 Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year and one of four state finalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year.
Dawn Lee is dedicated to capturing moments of inclusivity among her students through photography.
During the week of September 22, as part of the final stage for the Teacher of the Year selection process, a panel of state leaders visited RSU 1 to see Lee in her classroom—and to hear from the students, colleagues, administrators, and community members who know her. The feelings expressed and memories shared by all were warm, thoughtful, and telling.
“She is the perennial advocate, the positivity, the cheerleader, and the doer,” Eric Varney, Morse High School principal, gushed about Lee. “She is the person who is constantly thinking about the way that things could be better.”
Dawn Lee’s Honors English 10 class provides students with an opportunity to explore a meticulously curated book selection in the library.
Administrators and colleagues expressed that Lee has forever been on a mission to create an environment in which inclusion is the standard. When students returned to an in-person educational model following the pandemic, Lee and other educators noticed that the kids were not talking to one another. That separation ignited the spark that fueled Lee’s push to create the Unified Literacy program, based on the school’s Unified Athletics program—led by physical education teacher Charlie Bingham.
“She’s looking out for the best interest of all kids,” Bingham said.
“In working with Charlie to create Unified Academics, Dawn has changed the culture of this school,” Julia LaRosa, Morse High School Unified Science teacher, expressed. “Everyone is a learner, and everyone deserves to be everywhere.”
Even before Unified Academics existed at the school, Lee was cultivating that kind of an environment. In her decades of teaching at Morse High School, Lee has seen many students graduate, some of which are now her present-day colleagues. Angelique Tamburo, an instructor at Bath Regional Career and Technical Center, said she remembers the library—and Lee and library assistant Brenda Fagan—being her safe space as a student when she was experiencing a challenging home life.
“One of the things that Ms. Lee and Ms. Fagan taught me is that I mattered. My birthday never went by without them celebrating me,” Tamburo expressed. “Now, I get to help kids and tell them, ‘You’re not alone.’ I get to be that person now, and that’s thanks to Ms. Lee.”
Dawn Lee’s Unified Literacy class allows students of all abilities to connect over reading, writing, and art.
Tucked into the back corner of the library is a closet, replete with boxes of dry goods, canned food, and hygiene products. Lee has been running this food pantry for more than 15 years, recognizing that in order to successfully learn, students must first have their basic needs met. The pantry is open to all, no questions asked—leaving no room for stigma. On “Produce Tuesdays,” at Morse High School, Lee and Fagan also set up tables at the front of the building with fresh produce for kids to take home.
“She is a gentle warrior for our kids. She fights for them every day behind the scenes,” John Dever, a Morse High School educator and 2017 Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year—who nominated Lee for the title in 2025—said.
Dawn Lee has run the Morse High School food pantry for more than 15 years.
Lee’s generosity is also not lost on her students.
“It’s really refreshing to see someone who cares so much about her community,” student Grace Kirk said.
“She’s very patient, and she’s very loving,” Avery Steenstra, another student, added. “It’s really important to see that a teacher cares about you and that she’s going to do anything to help you.”
Students likened Lee to a flattering variety of fictional characters including Miss Honey from “Matilda,” Mary Poppins, Molly Weasley from “Harry Potter,” Joy from Inside Out, Maria from “The Sound of Music,” Ms. Frizzle, and Inspector Gadget. Whether they have connected with her through class, the library, study hall, or receiving help with projects like citations or AP research—students agree that “selfless” is a word that could be used to describe Lee.
“I didn’t have much positivity when I was in middle school, but when I met Ms. Lee, she was really eye-opening. She brought back a lot of my self-confidence that I lost when I was in middle school,” student Hunter Johnson said.
More than a dozen Morse High School students gathered to testify about their experiences with Ms. Lee for the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year selection process.
Lee is a lifelong learner, taking advantage of various professional development opportunities and fellowship programs throughout the summer. Her prioritization of inclusion in education—made possible with help from her teaching partner, special education teacher Jonathan Fisk—has made an impact on what many of her students are choosing to pursue post-high school. A handful of local parents testified that their children are now studying education or special education in college because they had Lee as a teacher. One parent even mentioned that a previous exchange student her family hosted from Egypt expressed interest in bringing Unified Literacy to schools in her country.
“She’s the ground zero,” Peter Kent, the parent of a Morse High School student with special needs, said of Lee. “The program that she and Mr. Fisk put together—this is what it created. She’s not at the center of it promoting herself, but she’s there in the background. I’ve heard from talking to some of the kids that this program made a huge difference to them.”
In expressing her gratitude for the esteemed recognition as a 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year finalist, Lee emotionally mentioned her beloved late grandmother, who was illiterate—and a driving force for Lee’s passion about making literacy accessible to all.
“I believe in what we do here,” Lee said of Morse High School. “I believe in our students. I believe that when you hold students to a high standard, they will rise to the occasion.”
Julia Edwards, choral music teacher at Poland Regional High School and Bruce Whittier Middle School, is the 2025 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year. This week, as part of the final round for the Teacher of the Year selection process, a panel of state leaders visited RSU 16 to see Edwards in action and hear from the students, colleagues, administrators, and community members who know her best.
For more than a decade, Edwards has led the choral and other music programs in Poland with equal parts passion and joy. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, she has dedicated her career to ensuring that all students have access to excellent music education while fostering cultural curiosity and community connection.
At school, Edwards is seen as much more than a music teacher. To her students, she is a mentor, role model, and trusted adult who brings opportunities and encouragement every day.
“She is who I can go to if I have any problems with pretty much anything, whether it’s musical-related or not,” chorus student Blake Brown said.
Walking through the halls of Poland Regional High School and Bruce Whittier Middle School, you will find many students who are quick to share a memorable moment or a personal story about Ms. Edwards, who is a constant positive presence in their lives.
Colleagues describe Edwards as being both a leader and a bright presence who lifts up others.
“Julia brings joy to her work; it emanates with the students, colleagues, and through the school,” one teacher said.
Stories shared during the visit painted a clear picture of Edwards’ creativity and care, from building a “choose-your-own-adventure” unit in chorus that wowed her peers who have been working on adding differentiation to the curriculum, to writing substitute plans that empower students to lead in her absence, to gently guiding struggling students back into a place of success through music. It is evident that Edwards’ colleagues see her as both innovative and deeply human. As one said, “She has this warmth about her that makes everyone feel important—whether it’s a colleague, a student, or anyone who crosses her path.”
Even in the lunchroom, Edwards’ impact on students stands out through their kindness and manners. Veteran kitchen manager Cecile Martin noted Edwards’ dedication to instilling respect that extends beyond the classroom.
“I can always tell when students are in chorus,” Martin said, explaining that Edwards makes it a priority to teach them to say thank you.
During her lessons, Edwards also models kindness and respect by weaving positive language into her teaching. She gives students the tools and practice to communicate constructively—even when they feel frustrated.
“It’s about figuring out what kids are passionate about, helping them find their joy, and then building the structures to support them in doing those things,” Poland Regional High School principal Erik Anderson added. “That’s what Julia does day in and day out.”
Edwards’ impact extends beyond the school walls. She brings students into the community to sing, organizes joyful holiday caroling outings complete with hot cocoa, and helps staff to connect through music on opening day each year.
“She puts so much of her own personal time, energy, and passion into bringing the students out into the community,” RSU 16 school board member and parent Jess Smith said. “It’s one of our core values, and she’s just such a good example of that.”
When Edwards was named the 2025 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year, her school community celebrated with a cherished “clap-in,” a tradition typically reserved for the first day of school when teachers line the entrance to cheer students into the building. This time, it was Edwards’ turn to be celebrated as she arrived, surrounded by applause from colleagues, students, and alumni.
“She has a depth of support from her colleagues,” Anderson added.
Students Max and Brady gave the selection panel a tour of the school as part of the visit:
Pride in Edwards’ nomination is felt deeply throughout RSU 16, as the community reflects on whether Edwards will be named the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year in the weeks ahead.
“It would be a really wonderful thing,” community member and parent Carrie Mastrogiacomo said. “Not just because of the teacher that she is but also because music so often gets overlooked. This would spotlight how important it is for kids to have a place to shine and find their voices.”
Whether teaching in the classroom, building community through song, or helping others to see their own strengths, Edwards embodies the spirit of Maine’s educators. Her school family and the larger community she continues to touch with her work are celebrating her well-deserved recognition as a finalist for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year.
This summer, Maine’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, fourth-grade educator Becky Hallowell of Wiscasset Elementary School, embarked on a stellar journey at NASA’s Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, from Wednesday, July 16, to Monday, July 21. The experience was an “out-of-this-world” professional development opportunity as part of her journey as a 2025 State Teacher of the Year.
Throughout the intense six-day program, Becky and other award-winning teachers from the National Teacher of the Year Program navigated immersive simulations—from walking on the moon and executing mock missions to designing lunar rovers and heat shields.
“One of the most incredible moments was training on the multi-axis trainer,” Becky explained. “We were spun in all directions in an apparatus that resembled a yo-yo. Some of my teammates were nervous about climbing in and experiencing it, but the entire group lifted them up, encouraging them the whole time and congratulating them when they were off the equipment.”
Another great moment was the simulated moonwalk, where “just a tiny little hop turned into a 20-foot leap,” inspiring creative leaps from Becky’s teammates, too.
Becky also had the opportunity to meet Hayley Arceneaux, the youngest astronaut, who went from being a pediatric cancer survivor to a physician’s assistant at St. Jude’s to then a role aboard SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission.
For Becky, Space Camp underscored that NASA’s mission extends well beyond scientists and engineers; it embraces roles for nutritionists, artists, writers, and even farmers. She said she sees this as a metaphor for her own classroom:
“I think of my class this way: We must honor and develop everyone’s strengths and interests. Space Camp gave me a basket of lessons to support all types of learners, and I can’t wait to ‘launch the learning.’”
A particularly powerful moment came during a low-ropes course challenge, during which 16 participants balanced on a wobbly platform. Forward motion came only when everyone lowered themselves, slowed down, and made “micro-moves” collaboratively. Becky calls this the group’s big “aha” moment.
“Instead of rushing through pedagogy, we can make impactful, intentional small moves,” Becky said.
Becky said the most valuable takeaway was the immersive, learner-centered nature of Space Camp: “Every activity caused part of my brain to participate—and another part to think: ‘How will I bring this back to my class?’”
She said she found camaraderie and inspiration in her fellow State Teachers of the Year cohort, sharing stories of classroom triumphs and challenges from across the U.S. and returning with creativity-rich ideas to enrich Maine instruction.
Becky’s year ahead brims with possibility. She said she plans to stretch her practice by cultivating curiosity about the world beyond—and here at home.
“Space Camp left me with the desire to include more time for students to think about what exists beyond their backyards—helping them to learn about Earth and the stars. It inspires me to help them to forever ask questions and seek answers.”
Becky Hallowell is a 30-year classroom veteran. At Wiscasset Elementary School, she is known for her place-based and project-based learning, evidenced by her Outdoor Wonderful Learning Space (OWLS), an open area located at the school in the woods along the Sheepscot River. This space allows her to integrate nature into every lesson. Read more about Becky here.
To learn more about Maine’s Teacher of the Year program, visit: https://mainetoy.org/. To learn more about the National Teacher of the Year program, visit: https://ntoy.ccsso.org/.
Congratulations to Julia Edwards from Androscoggin County, Bridget Wright from Lincoln County, Benjamin Johnson from Penobscot County, and Dawn Lee from Sagadahoc County.
Augusta, MAINE—Four Maine educators representing counties from the coast to the highlands are state finalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year. Julia Edwards, a choral music teacher at Poland Regional High School; Bridget Wright, an English teacher at Lincoln Academy; Benjamin Johnson, a Latin teacher at Hampden Academy; and Dawn Lee, a school library/media and unified literacy teacher at Morse High School, were selected from the 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year cohort to move forward in the Teacher of the Year process.
“Congratulations to the four 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year state finalists,” Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Pender Makin said. “Your dedication to your students, innovation in your teaching, and contributions to your communities have all led up to this well-deserved moment of recognition. Thank you for your commitment to public education in Maine, helping to raise our state’s next generation of leaders and thinkers.”
One of the four state finalists will be named 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year, an honor bestowed annually upon one educator in Maine. This announcement will occur 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 teacher was nominated for this recognition by a member of their community because of their exemplary service in education and dedication to their students. A distinguished panel of teachers, principals, and business community members 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.
“These four state finalists embody the exemplary teaching we see in classrooms across Maine,” Jason Judd, Ed.D., Executive Director of Educate Maine, said. “There are so many inspiring and innovative teachers across Maine, and we look forward to working with and supporting the finalists and all of the 2025 County Teachers of the Year. They are amazing teacher-leaders and ambassadors for their profession, and most importantly, they make a difference in students’ lives every day.”
“The Maine Teacher of the Year state finalists represent the very best of our profession: educators who inspire curiosity, foster a love of learning, and make a lasting difference in the lives of students every day,” Paulette Bonneau, Chair of the Maine State Board of Education, said. “Their dedication and innovation embody the strength of Maine’s schools and the promise of our future.”
“These finalists are all exciting educators, committed to the growth of their students beyond academics,” Becky Hallowell, 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, said. “They each honor the whole student and find ways to deepen the connection of their students to the community. I have already learned so much from all the finalists and look forward to learning even more about their practice. Maine is fortunate to have these four teachers representing the great work of educators happening across our state.”
“We are excited to celebrate and learn alongside these remarkable finalists, whose voices and leadership continue to strengthen education in Maine,” MCSTOYA co-presidents Hillary Bellefleur and Heather Whitaker said. “They reflect the creativity, commitment, and heart that define our profession. The difference they make in their classrooms and communities is inspiring, and we look forward to championing their work, as they highlight the many strengths and ongoing growth of Maine’s public schools.”
More about the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year state finalists:
Julia Edwards Choral Music Teacher, Poland Regional High School 2025 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year
“What a joy it is to collaborate with stellar peers through the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year program! I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my students, colleagues, teachers, mentors, and family in advocating for Maine schools and music education. Above all, it is inspiring to learn from peers and to witness the work that Educate Maine and the Maine DOE do to amplify the good that is happening in our state’s schools.”
Julia Edwards is the choral music teacher at RSU 16’s Poland Regional High School and Bruce Whittier Middle School in Poland, Maine. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, where she studied oboe and served as a teaching fellow for the Children’s Chorus of Springfield. She returned home to Bridgton, Maine after graduating college to teach elementary music in North Conway, New Hampshire for two years before accepting her current position in the fall of 2012.
Edwards’ leadership experience at Poland Regional High School includes coordinating the “Roundtable” grade-level advisory program and serving as coordinator for the all-virtual learning program during the hybrid school year. As an advocate for professional collaboration, she served on the District Professional Learning Committee, where she proposed and co-created RSU 16’s annual district-wide conference. She finds the most joy, however, in working with her students. Edwards believes that all students deserve access to an excellent music education, regardless of their background, identity, or geographical location. Cultural curiosity and musicianship are at the core of her teaching philosophy, and she has worked to create many intercultural and intergenerational experiences for her students and community.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Edwards has served as a guest clinician and manager for district and state festivals in Maine and has presented on pedagogical topics for state, regional, and national conferences. She recently moved into the role of president for the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, where she is working to expand community singing opportunities throughout the state. As an advocate for cultural curiosity, Edwards has designed a Cultural Context Curriculum, which helps students to develop tools for ethically and enthusiastically exploring the world around them, as well as skills to be better world citizens. She believes music and community are synonymous, and she loves participating in the music community as a listener and performer.
Outside of teaching, Edwards enjoys skiing; cross-stitching; playing concerts with her folk band, Bold Riley; and exploring the Maine outdoors with her husband, two children, and rowdy dog, Baxter.
Bridget Wright English Teacher, Lincoln Academy 2025 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year
“I am honored to be a Maine Teacher of the Year state finalist and am grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve received from my family and school community. As an English teacher, I know that good teaching, just like good writing, is a process that can’t happen in isolation; I look forward to engaging with educators from around the state to continue building a community rooted in collaboration, celebration, and support.”
Bridget Wright is a high school English teacher at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, Maine. Wright attended the University of Maine at Farmington for both her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, English and her master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She is the 2025 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year.
Wright believes that curiosity is essential to lifelong learning and is committed to providing her students space and support to engage in healthy academic risk-taking. She knows that no one becomes a stronger learner by using the same formulaic strategies. Given time and encouragement to explore, especially when it leads to roadblocks and revisions, students end up becoming confident writers, readers, researchers, and critical thinkers.
Teaching writing is one of Wright’s favorite parts of English, and she founded student-staffed writing centers at two schools, including Lincoln Academy. She has developed programming to help others establish writing centers of their own and was featured in Dr. Rich Kent’s second edition of “A Guide to Creating Student-Staffed Writing Centers.” A presenter at multiple conferences across Maine and New England, including the Maine Council for English Language Arts conference, Wright loves collaborating with and learning from other educators. She has been a Civil Rights Team advisor for a decade and is deeply devoted to ensuring students of all identities and backgrounds feel welcome and safe in their school communities. In addition to teaching English, her school’s Flexible Learning Block model allows her to engage students in everything from weaving and knitting to Dungeons & Dragons.
Wright served as a dorm parent for more than seven years, and this experience greatly shaped how she helps students to build community both in and out of school. She has previously served as a leadership team member and department head, as well as Maine Council for English Language Arts board member and secretary. She currently sits on Lincoln Academy’s Governance Committee and runs the Writing Center program in addition to supporting the development of Lincoln’s senior project curriculum.
When not teaching, Wright can usually be found crafting while listening to audiobooks. She loves knitting, spinning, and weaving and is also a sewist who makes her own clothes. She resides in a little house in the woods with her husband, Andrew, and her beloved cat and dog.
Benjamin Johnson Latin Teacher, Hampden Academy 2025 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year
“Being named a state finalist for Maine Teacher of the Year is a great honor, but I wouldn’t be here without my students. Their curiosity, passion, and voices inspire me daily, reminding me why teaching is a worthwhile profession, and I am honored to represent them and all the great educators across Maine as we celebrate the power of learning that connects classrooms to the wider world.”
Benjamin Johnson teaches Latin and AP Seminar to 9th through 12th graders at Hampden Academy in Hampden, Maine. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classics, with a concentration in Latin, and Biology, with a concentration in Microbiology, from Cornell University and a master’s in Latin from the University of Florida. He is the 2025 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year.
Johnson is a strong advocate for giving students an active role in their education. As a Latin teacher, he believes that studying the origins of our modern practices helps students to better understand the world they live in. He emphasizes inquiry, curiosity, and student voice in every lesson. His classroom blends traditional language study with innovative technology, ensuring that tools support the essential relationships between students and teachers. He oversees both Hampden’s and Maine’s Junior Classical Leagues, organizations that provide engaging opportunities for students of the classics, and he regularly leads trips to Italy and Greece for his students.
Johnson is also an innovator in the Latin classroom, and he advocates for the use of technology to supplement and support, rather than replace, the student-teacher relationship. He runs the LatinTutorial YouTube channel with more than 125,000 subscribers, and he has created digital tools such as Latintutorial.com and Hexameter.co, resources used by tens of thousands of learners worldwide. Johnson serves as Instructional Team Leader for World Languages at Hampden Academy and is a leader in his local education association. He recently served on the AP Latin Development Committee and helped to revise the national curriculum and assessment for AP Latin. Johnson also teaches classics and Latin courses at the University of Maine.
When he isn’t teaching, Johnson can be found spending time with his family, biking around Bangor, drinking good coffee, or happily wrangling unruly prepositions to end sentences with.
Dawn Lee School Library/Media and Unified Literacy Teacher, Morse High School 2025 Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year
“Growing up, I witnessed the transformative power of education through a family member who learned to read at the age of 76, shaping my belief that education changes lives and strengthens communities. Today, I celebrate how educators across Maine nurture collaboration, curiosity, creativity, community, and innovation, sustaining families for generations. As a Maine Teacher of the Year state finalist, I am grateful for the platform to honor and share these stories and for the steadfast support of my students, colleagues, community, and family, who remind me daily of the inspiring learning unfolding in our schools.”
Dawn Lee is a school library media specialist and teacher at Morse High School in Bath, Maine. She holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from Miami University and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. A passionate advocate for inclusion, Lee is a founding leader of her school’s nationally recognized Unified Literacy program, where students with and without intellectual disabilities connect through the power of reading, writing, and art. Lee’s pioneering spirit led her to create Maine’s first Unified Academics Conference, a statewide platform celebrating inclusive education. Presenting at numerous state and regional conferences, Lee, her co-teacher, and their students have inspired educators and administrators to establish similar inclusive academic programs.
In her role as a school librarian, Lee champions equity through diverse book collections and community programs, including partnerships with the Maine Humanities Council, creating a safe space where all students can learn and thrive. Recognizing the silent struggles that many of her students face, she established the Morse High School Food Pantry in 2008, which has supported students and families experiencing food insecurity for 18 years. What began as a small, staff-supported initiative has grown into a student-led program distributing more than 1,000 pounds of food each month, offering free daily snacks, sponsoring a community fresh produce table, and providing personal hygiene products and school supplies.
Lee serves on her school district’s Community, Connections, and Belonging Committee, contributing to districtwide efforts that foster inclusion and strengthen community engagement. She is a board member of her local public library and the Bath Area Backpack Program, which provides food for Midcoast Maine families, and advises the Can We? Project, supporting high school students in developing communication skills to engage as active citizens. Deeply committed to helping students discover the joy of learning, Lee strives to create student-centered spaces that spark curiosity and encourage exploration. She embraces a pedagogy that centers student voice in the learning design process, ensuring curriculum is meaningful and relevant. Through this approach, her students actively engage in projects that connect them to their community and the wider world, including participation in Wreaths Across America and the Smithsonian Virtual Exchange Program.
Lee’s innovative teaching and leadership have earned her multiple fellowships and grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum to support projects that promote inclusive programming, community engagement, and curriculum innovation. In recognition of her dedication to students and community, Lee has received the Dr. Patricia Ames Distinguished Teacher Award, been named the 2025 Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year, and been honored as a Midcoast Maine Outstanding Woman Community Member.
Outside of the classroom, Lee enjoys absorbing the quiet beauty of an art museum, curling up with a good book, exploring new corners of the world for fresh inspiration, and spending time with her daughter and son-in-law.
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.
On May 14 at the Hall of Flags, teachers representing all of the state’s 16 counties were announced as the 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year.
AUGUSTA, Maine—The State of Maine is celebrating its newest cohort of County Teachers of the Year. On Wednesday, May 14, at the Hall of Flags in the State Capitol, the Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with Educate Maine, announced the 16 teachers, representing every county in the state, who were selected for this honor in 2025.
More than 550 teachers across Maine were nominated this year for the Maine Teacher of the Year Program by a member(s) of their school community. A local panel of teachers, principals, and business community members then chose 16 outstanding educators from that pool. These teachers span elementary to high school, range from having taught for seven to 37 years, and specialize in subjects including Choral Music, Robotics, Special Education, German, English, Latin, Global Studies, and Unified Literacy.
Throughout their year of service, the Maine County Teachers of the Year act as ambassadors for teachers, students, and schools. For example, Maine’s 2024 County Teachers of the Year cohort established a survey to assess the mentorship needs of teachers across the state. The 2023 cohort created the “Love Maine Schools” campaign.
Governor Janet Mills joined Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin, Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd, Chair Fern Desjardins of the Maine State Board of Education, and 2025 Maine State Teacher of the Year Becky Hallowell on Wednesday to announce and honor the 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year.
“As the daughter of a long-time public-school teacher, and as someone who raised five children who attended public schools in Maine, I am deeply grateful to the educators throughout our state who make learning a meaningful, engaging experience,” Governor Janet Mills said. “These 16 teachers represent every county from Aroostook to York and are paving the way for a well-educated, healthy and productive citizenry in the state of Maine.”
“Far too often, the hard work of educators in classrooms across our state goes unrecognized and is underappreciated,” Commissioner Pender Makin said. “The Maine Teacher of the Year Program provides an excellent opportunity to elevate the voices of 16 of these dedicated teachers, who will spend their year championing their students, their colleagues, and the education profession as a whole.”
“It is with great pride that we announce the 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year,” Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd said. “During their year of recognition, they will serve as advocates for learners and educators across the state, and we look forward to supporting and collaborating with them.”
Throughout the summer, the 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year will continue to participate in the intensive Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process. The 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year will be announced in the fall.
2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year:
Androscoggin: Julia Edwards Choral Music Teacher Poland Regional High School, RSU 16
Aroostook: Laurie Spooner Robotics/Math/Biology/Human Anatomy/Chemistry Teacher Van Buren District School, MSAD 24/RSU 88
Cumberland: Monica Malcomson Second Grade Teacher Frank I. Brown Elementary School, South Portland School Department
The Maine DOE’s Teacher of the Year Program is administered through a collaborative partnership with Educate Maine. To learn more about the Maine Teacher of the Year Program, click here.
On the evening of March 8, leaders in Maine’s educational community gathered at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor to celebrate the hard work and dedication of exceptional educators from across the state. The 11th annual Education Gala brought together Maine’s 2024 County Teachers of the Year, their family, friends, and colleagues, school and district administrators, community and state leaders, and corporate sponsors to recognize the outstanding contributions of these educators to the state of Maine and their exceptional achievements within education.
Dr. Jason Judd, executive director of Educate Maine, kicked off the event with opening remarks, highlighting the role of collaboration among educators, organizations, and the community in shaping the future for Maine’s students. Afterwards, Cary Olson Cartwright, representing the gala’s lead sponsor Unum, emphasized the crucial role of business and industry in supporting educational initiatives.
Attendees were then treated to a delicious dinner, enjoyed among the company of colleagues, mentors, and friends. The evening felt both celebratory and purposeful.
Joshua Chard, the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year, later took to the stage to reflect on his year in review. With a heartfelt message, Chard shared his experiences and the insights he gained during his tenure as Maine’s Teacher of the Year.
Next, attendees heard from Maine Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Pender Makin, who emphasized that although it is oftentimes difficult for educators to step into the spotlight and accept praise, it is vital that they be recognized for the crucial role they play in the lives of their students and in the community.
Long-time education champion and advocate Peter Geiger of Geiger, a sponsor of the Maine Teacher of the Year Program, also addressed the audience. A recurring theme throughout the night was the importance of sponsorship and support from local businesses. Without them, the event, along with the many opportunities provided to Maine State and County Teachers of the Year throughout the year, would not be possible.
A highlight of the evening included a presentation recognizing the 2024 Maine County Teachers of the Year, as well as the semifinalists and finalists for 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year. The support among honorees for one another was apparent, as they accepted these prestigious awards, which acknowledge the tireless efforts of these educators to foster growth and achievement in their students.
Then, the time came to honor Becky Hallowell, the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year. She received an iPad from the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM), presented by Amanda Nguyen and Alice Barr of ACTEM. Additionally, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows honored a long-time tradition by presenting Hallowell with a Maine Teacher of the Year vanity license plate. Afterwards, Hallowell addressed the crowd with a keynote address, focused on her passion for teaching, as well as her admiration for her fellow2024 County Teachers of the Year.
Toward the end of the evening, one person in attendance at the gala was presented with the Karen MacDonald Service to Teaching Award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the teaching profession. This year’s award went to Melissa Garrette, the 2021 Oxford County Teacher of the Year.
As the gala came to a close, Educate Maine board member and Bangor Savings Bank representative David Pease took to the stage for final remarks. Pease reflected on the importance of celebrating Maine’s educators and the transformative role that teaching plays in shaping the future of the state and its students. His words served as an important reminder of the vital work that teachers do every day and the need to continue supporting them.
Overall, the gala was a resounding success, filled with celebration, inspiration, and a shared commitment to education.
The Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine, a business-led advocacy organization, in partnership with the Maine DOE, the Maine State Board of Education, and the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association (MCSTOYA). Funding for the program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River, Geiger, Hannaford, Maine Lottery, the Silvernail Family, and Unum.
Thank you to the 2025 Education Gala sponsors:
Lead Sponsor: Unum
Presenting Sponsor: Silvernail Foundation
Golden Apple: Maine Savings Federal Credit Union, Energy Efficiency Investments (EEI)
County Sponsors: Moody’s, University of New England Online, EEI, S.W. Collins Co., MMG Insurance, University of Maine College of Education and Human Development, Wiscasset School Department, Machias Savings Bank
Supporters: Cumberland County Federal Credit Union, Maine Health, Franklin Savings Bank, First National Bank, Martin’s Point Health Care
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