Get to know the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, Becky Hallowell, who teaches fourth-grade students at Wiscasset Elementary School on the bank of the Sheepscot River. Becky shares more about herself in this Q&A, as she begins her year of service.

What or who inspired you to become a teacher, and how long have you been in the role?

I grew up in a family of teachers. At one point, my mother, aunt, cousin, and I were all teaching first grade. Family gatherings often included talk of our favorite children’s book authors and sharing great ideas for math and science lessons. This is my 30th year teaching, and now I love to chat about education with my sister, who teaches high school math in New Hampshire.

With decades of experience teaching under your belt, what do you love most about it? 

I love the kids best. It is so energizing to greet them in the morning and watch them hustle over to the day’s agenda to find out what we get to do that day. Teaching is a great outlet for creativity, and I love planning lessons that help nurture my students’ enthusiasm for learning. The hearts of fourth graders are so pure, and it is gratifying to see their confidence grow, as they find ways to impact the world based on their individual strengths and interests.

A major part of your platform as 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year is your passion for nature-based learning. How did your journey to creating an outdoor learning space for your students begin?

Taking students outside to learn has always come naturally to me. When I taught kindergarten, we used dandelions and “ten frames” teaching tools to learn about place value. My second-grade students would measure leaves and diagram plants.   

Our school is located on the Sheepscot River, and my partner teacher and I discovered an open area in the woods on the riverbank. We worked with our classes to clear the area of invasive species, so that we could start using the space. The fourth-grade class made bookmarks to sell, so they could purchase buckets to use as seating, and I wrote a Donor’s Choose grant for materials to use in our outdoor space that we lovingly call OWLS (Outdoor Wonderful Learning Space). The students report feeling “safe” and “calm” in OWLS, and we use that space for many lessons.

The same year we created OWLS, I attended a teacher institute at The Ecology School, and my practice of nature-based learning grew much deeper. I found ways to integrate nature into all of our content areas, including reading, writing, social studies, math, and science.

Students now learn about the branches of government by developing rules for our riverfront outdoor classroom. They make maps of their space and learn about converting units of measure, as we explore our outdoor classroom. Our novel studies include books set in our town, as well as ones with themes of protecting biodiversity. We conduct our class meetings in a garden, so students can see outdoor spaces as a place to connect and build community.

I have been fortunate to take part in several professional development opportunities to learn more about how other teachers across our state and country incorporate outdoor learning into their teaching practice. There is always more to learn, and I look forward to each new opportunity.

What makes your school and its students special?

Our school is special because the students, families, and staff take care of one another. We recite a school pledge daily, and the last line is, “We take care of each other at WES.” This sentence defines our core belief: that we are stronger when we support one another. We celebrate the smallest wins of individuals and share the biggest loads when one of us is facing a difficult challenge. I can’t imagine working in a more caring school.

What is one of the best lessons you have learned during your time as a teacher?

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that we all make mistakes, and that is how we learn. It is the number one lesson I impart to each of my classes. When we allow ourselves to take a risk and make a mistake, we grow. I happily share the mistakes I make with my class and explain how my mistakes help me learn something new. My goal is to create a space that is safe for my students to face challenges, celebrate their mistakes, and grow from those experiences. 

You have spent one year as a 2024 County Teacher of the Year. How have you worked to represent the community of Lincoln County?

I have worked to understand more about the mentoring needs of new teachers. I learned how to connect with our state representative and senator to elevate the educational needs of our students and staff.

As 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, what are the platforms you plan to represent? 

My goal is to bring to light the importance of nature-based learning and how it can positively impact academic, physical, and social-emotional growth. I also want to advocate for teachers to have access to great professional development tailored to their interests and needs throughout the state.

Why is public education important to the state of Maine and the nation?

Public education is crucial so that all children can learn the skills necessary to be successful local and global community members as adults. Our students must learn how to collaborate, think critically, and act with empathy to have a future world that is healthy and high-functioning.

For anyone who is thinking about becoming a teacher, why would you encourage them to do so? 

Teaching is the most gratifying occupation because it allows us to nurture our future lawmakers, caregivers, and builders. The work of teachers is an invaluable service, as the support they give their students also supports the community. The connections to students and families that I have made as a teacher last far beyond our year together. I love seeing my former students 10 and 20 years after teaching them and am so proud of all they accomplish. 

What else would you like to share with folks who are reading this Q&A? 

I am honored to represent Maine educators and have so much respect for all the teachers who pour their heart and soul into helping our children grow into amazing adults. 

Elementary students from Portland Public Schools recently created original ornaments that are now on the national stage, decorating Maine’s tree as part of the 2024 National Christmas Tree display at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Led by their teacher, 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard, third graders from East End Community School designed ornaments for the Maine tree this year as part of the “America Celebrates” ornament program, an annual collaboration of the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Park Foundation. Through this program, ordinary Americans create ornaments to symbolize the history, heritage, and culture of their homelands.

“In third grade, my students explore the history of the Presumpscot River, which flows into the bay visible from our classroom windows,” explained Chard. “We learn how the Wabanaki tribes have served as water protectors of these rivers, both in the past and today, and we take action to support rivers and the diverse life they sustain. Our ornaments showcase the flora and fauna found along the banks of the Presumpscot, symbolizing what we strive to protect, as we join the Wabanaki in being water protectors.”

Chard recently represented the state of Maine and his students at the 102nd National Christmas Tree Lighting event in Washington, D.C. During the event, President Joe Biden lit the National Christmas Tree, which is surrounded by 58 smaller trees representing states, territories, and schools managed by the Bureau of Indian Education and the Department of Defense Education Activity.

Vice President Kamala Harris, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, and other special guests from across the nation attended, and musical artists Trisha Yearwood and James Taylor performed. The tree-lighting event will air on CBS on Friday, December 20.

While in Washington, D.C, Chard also visited with Maine Senator Angus King, toured the U.S. Capitol and the White House to view holiday decor, and connected with fellow State Teachers of the Year from Illinois and Maryland.

Learn more about the America Celebrates ornament program here.

Walking into Dr. Emilie Throckmorton’s classroom, one is immediately transported to another world. The tall, almost floor to ceiling window frames a small forest of trees, while the marked absence of fluorescent lighting creates a coffee shop ambiance in the room. Art and artifacts line the walls from evidence of travel to student created masterpieces, making it clear that students are always first in this educator’s realm. Students are working collaboratively and obviously have established norms that make such a task equally rewarding for each teenager. Every learning style and preference has been considered, with students expressing themselves with answers shared via everything from dry erase boards to a simple thumbs up. Everyone has a voice, and no one seems afraid to use theirs. When giving instructions to the class on one assignment, Dr. Throckmorton exclaims, “Be creative! Be outlandish!”  

Penobscot County’s 2024 Teacher of the Year Emilie Throckmorton is also one of four Maine Teacher of the Year Finalists. During a recent visit, Dr. Throckmorton showcased her passion for English education, and four different panels of stakeholders gathered to share their personal experiences with the educator. It was a day full of literature, writing, laughter, and even tears. Everyone present was left with the feeling of gratitude for Dr. Throckmorton’s presence at Bangor High School. Her influence is easy to see across teams and grade levels, showing she is an integral part of Bangor High School’s culture. 

Dr. Throckmorton’s colleagues highlighted the many ways she inspires and supports them. They used adjectives like phenomenal, humble, and kind to describe her, with multiple teachers emphasizing the confidence she gives them by how she shows up for them. One of her English department colleagues called her “the penultimate problem solver”, with many of her colleagues nodding in support of the label.  

While her many accolades speak for themselves, what stands out the most is that she is a support system for many. One student describes, “It feels like we are more than just a number in the gradebook. She really has the heart of an amazing teacher.”  

Many parents and students expressed deep gratitude for the impact Dr. Throckmorton has had on their lives. Countless students have been inspired to finish school when it seemed too hard. She meets students where they were while having high expectations and inspiring them to rise to those expectations.  

One student said, “She helped me realize I’m a lot smarter than I think I am.”  

Her tireless work as a mentor and graduation coach has given more students access to the magic of Dr. Throckmorton who may not have had the opportunity to have her as a teacher, showcasing the impact a consistent and caring role model can have on students.  

Parents and community members came together to share her impact on them as well. From school board members to grandparents, it became quickly apparent that students aren’t her only admirers.

One school board member and parent exclaimed, “She is a life changer.” Another parent shared, “The amount of belonging and connectedness she brings is unsurpassed.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as parent after parent shared how her impact on their families extended beyond academics, ensuring they felt valued and always seen. Her former students have gone on to become educators because of her, and many graduated when others told them it was impossible. 

Kindness and inspiration were concepts that swirled around every observation and discussion about Dr. Throckmorton’s craft as an educator.  The legacy of success and inclusivity that shines from everything Dr. Throckmorton does is sure to reach far beyond any one family or school year. They described her as a humble, quiet cheerleader for all Bangor High School students, cheering them on to reach their highest potential.   

This year’s Maine Teacher of the Year selection process began with more than 500 nominations. Sixteen County Teachers of the Year were announced in May and there are currently four finalists. Learn more about the Maine Teacher of the Year program here. 

On the banks of the Sheepscot River sits the OWLS (Outdoor Wonderful Learning Space) community.

This outdoor learning space at Wiscasset Elementary School was the brainchild of 4^th grade teacher Becky Hallowell, and each year she and her students transform this space into a vibrant community to build, learn from, and explore through the seasons.

Ms. Hallowell and her students began by developing a map of their space with different boundaries and landmarks, such as the river and their school. On a recent visit, she and her students were deciding what was important for their community to have. They started with a list of everything from a freshwater source to a museum and then worked in teams to identify the top five things their community needed. Students shared what they came up with and they developed a collective class list that included a food source, a water source, and a market. Everyone loved a library and a museum, but thought those things could be built after their community was up and running.

OWLS doesn’t feature expensive materials or infrastructure. The outdoor classroom is fashioned from orange buckets for seats, a folding table, and a whiteboard, demonstrating that this type of hands-on learning is doable and accessible for all.

It’s not the only way that Ms. Hallowell incorporates the community and nature into her teaching. She takes students on weekly visits to a nearby sunken garden to journal and monthly visits to the Hidden Valley Nature Center.

“Ms. Hallowell is a really fun person,” said one of her students. “She doesn’t like sitting inside at all, so we go to OWLS to learn about things we want to know about in nature.”

Parents said that Ms. Hallowell has a remarkable ability to connect with students and has a gift to naturally meet children where they’re at.

“She’s one in a million,” said one parent.

Another parent said, “She knows everything about every one of [her students] and makes each one feel special.”

When a parent asked her son what she should share about Ms. Hallowell, the student said, “She always follows through with what she promises.”

Ms. Hallowell’s teaching colleagues shared similar sentiments, calling her an anchor and the epitome of a teacher leader.

“She doesn’t solve the problems for you, but gives you the tools to do it,” said one teaching colleague. Another teacher recalled how Ms. Hallowell supported her as a first-year teacher in developing behavioral and classroom management strategies that she felt overwhelmed by. They also described her as their one dependable constant through several years of changing district and school leadership.

“Becky gives 100 percent to her colleagues,” said one teacher.

They also highlighted how her enthusiasm and passion are infectious.

“Her enthusiasm for outdoor learning prompted me to start doing outside lessons,” said one colleague, adding that she would have never had the confidence to incorporate the outdoors into her teaching if it were not for Ms. Hallowell modeling how it could be done.

She constantly seeks new and interesting learning opportunities for the school community. Wiscasset Elementary began a composting program, and Ms. Hallowell figured out a way to turn the program into an engaging math lesson. And everyone brought up her passion for mushrooms that she shares with students and the school.

Ms. Hallowell is one of four finalists for Maine Teacher of the Year and was named the 2024 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year last May. She was nominated by a teaching colleague who wrote, “Becky is that rare gem who cares about the teaching craft and continues to grow her practice; contributes to her profession through presenting and mentoring; and adds to her school by being a leader with solutions and ideas to carry us all forward.”

Later in the day in Ms. Hallowell’s classroom, she was reading aloud to her students while students drew different scenes and objects from the book, including a green car described as a pickle with wheels. To add movement, students did a gallery walk to view what their peers drew and gain inspiration for their own work. Together, she and the class identified the main character of the book and the supporting characters. Then, students worked in teams to write down evidence to support which supporting characters were the most important in the book. Ms. Hallowell’s class was as engaging and dynamic inside their classroom as it was down by the riverbank.

When asked to describe Ms. Hallowell, some words teaching colleagues and parents said were vibrant, compassionate, engaged, loving, self-aware, fun, mentor, comforting, and inspiring.

“She’ll do anything for us,” said one student. “If we need something, she is going to make it happen.”

This year’s Maine Teacher of the Year selection process began with more than 500 nominations. Sixteen County Teachers of the Year were announced in May and there are currently four finalists. Learn more about the Maine Teacher of the Year program here.

Adventurous, vibrant, caring, fierce, authentic, inclusive, and passionate.

Those were some of the words Baxter Academy for Technology and Science teacher Katie Strait’s students and colleagues used to describe her.

You can feel that passion for science and care for her students the moment you step into her classroom. One a recent visit, Ms. Strait and her students were immersing themselves in the inner workings of the immune system. She and the students discussed what happens when you are sitting in class and the person next to you coughs in your direction and the next day you don’t feel well. What are the symptoms? What is the immune system doing to fight illness? What parts of the immune system are triggered?

Following an engaging discussion, students formed groups to begin creating multimedia presentations to demonstrate their knowledge of the innate immune system with the urging to be creative. Students could create an ad, perform a skit, make a video, write an article, or do something else completely outside of the box.

Near the entrance of her classroom hang a row of waders that students wear as they regularly venture beyond the four walls of her classroom for hands-on, real-world learning experiences. Above the waders hangs a mural capturing a vibrant marine environment. It was a gift from one of Ms. Strait’s students for the difference she made in her life.

“She has completely changed my life,” said one of her former students.

Another student said, “She’s so empowering. I look forward to being like her.”

Multiple students highlighted how Ms. Strait connects what she teaches to the real world and makes learning engaging and fun. They also elevated her kindness, how she sees every student as an individual, and how she supports their unique needs.

Her colleagues shared the same sentiments.

“Katie has a vision for science outside the four walls of her classroom. She is constantly looking for opportunities to go out into the community,” said a colleague.

Another colleague said, “She believes everyone should be able to bring their entire self to everything they do in her classroom. The way she shares of herself makes students comfortable to share themselves. You’re a scientist but you’re also a surfer or an artist. Bring your artistic nature to your science. Bring your athletic nature to your science.”

Her hands-on, real-world teaching style and her focus on relationship building has also inspired her colleagues.

“She does stuff and I think, wow, I should try that. She’s changed how I think about teaching,” said a colleague.

Katie Strait is one of four finalists for Maine Teacher of the Year and was named the 2024 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year last May. She was nominated by parents and community members, with one parent writing in her nomination that “Katie’s ability to inspire not only her students but also her colleagues and friends is a testament to her exceptional character and passion. Her relentless pursuit of fostering a generation that cares deeply about our planet sets her apart as an outstanding educator and role model.”

Ms. Strait regularly organizes beach clean-ups and students often make art work and installations with what they find. She also hosts regular trips to allow students to explore tide pools and marine ecosystems in their backyard.

“Everything she teaches is applicable to stuff we experience in real life,” said one student.

Another said, “She inspires her students to want to learn more about what she is teaching.”

Some additional words Ms. Strait’s students and colleagues used to describe her included persevering, creative, nurturing, incredible, unshakable, experimenter, and invigorating.

This year’s Maine Teacher of the Year selection process began with more than 500 nominations. Sixteen County Teachers of the Year were announced in May and there are currently four finalists. Learn more about the Maine Teacher of the Year program here.

Allyson Gilbert is the sun.

That’s how several of Ms. Gilbert’s students and colleagues at Mt. Ararat High School described her.

Yes, it’s because she dresses up in a big inflatable sun costume for one of her science lessons, bringing students outside and arranging them at different distances from her like the planets in the solar system.

But it’s also because of the warmth and joy she brings to her teaching and to building relationships with her students, colleagues, and community.

Her sunshine was on full display during a recent visit to her school. In fact, students and educators all wore sunshine stickers to show their support for Ms. Gilbert as a finalist for 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Gilbert is one of four finalists for Maine Teacher of the Year and was named the 2024 Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year last May. She was nominated by a teaching colleague who wrote, “Ally sees each student as an individual and meets them where they are. She understands that each student has a unique potential, and she is dedicated to helping them meet it.”

She does so by engaging her students through hands-on learning opportunities, making science accessible to every student, and bringing joy and fun to learning. Every student recalls her sun costume or when she dresses as a tree for Arbor Week, and they also recall what they learned with Ms. Gilbert through those experiences.

In one of her 9th-grade physical science classes, students were learning about the metric system, building a foundation on how it differs from the U.S. customary measurement system and how it is used in science. Students explored the different units of the metric system and measured classroom windows, doors, and desks to apply what they were learning in groups.

In a later class, students went outside to measure the amount of time it takes to walk, run, and crabwalk between cones.

Later in the year, Ms. Gilbert will ask students to interview scientists or people working in the science field to learn more about the real-life applications and opportunities connected to her teaching. And everyone knows her tortoise who regularly makes an appearance at school.

Her colleagues said that she “makes science come alive for her students” and that “it’s like she has a crystal ball and can see how students will interact with an assignment.”

Ms. Gilbert extends learning beyond her classroom, the Mt. Ararat campus, and even the Topsham community. She organized and led an educational trip to Belize last April for 30 students. She even brought in a suitcase to demonstrate how and what students should pack for an adventurous trip abroad. And when the group got stuck in Florida for several days coming home due to weather, Ms. Gilbert made sure they had food, housing, and activities to do, and got everyone booked on new flights home.

One parent said that Ms. Gilbert is the “only other person [besides my husband] that I would send my child across the world with.”

Students said that Ms. Gilbert makes them believe that anything is possible, gives them the confidence to explore, and that she is like a real life Ms. Frizzle.

Ms. Gilbert is a passionate science teacher. However her impact on the school goes well beyond the lessons and activities in her classroom.

As a student put it, “Ms. Gilbert is the embodiment of the best parts of this school community.”

Many students, colleagues, and parents at Mt. Ararat raised Ms. Gilbert’s focus and talent on building relationships, referencing her ability to connect with a wide range of students, how she sees students as individuals and notices kids who might not otherwise be noticed, that she makes students feel special inside and that they can be themselves, and how she draws in students who don’t love school.

Ms. Gilbert serves on the attendance committee, building connections with students who are not engaging with school and helping them find ways to reengage and spark an interest in learning.

“She makes connections with kids very quietly but very effectively,” said one of her colleagues.

That relationship-building and engagement extends to her colleagues. Ms. Gilbert’s fellow science teachers elevated how she has helped strengthen the science curriculum at the school and how her enthusiasm is contagious. They are also a close-knit team that supports one another at school and beyond. Ms. Gilbert has even officiated several weddings of her colleagues.

“Whenever I need a boost, I pop my head into Ally’s room and that reenergizes me,” said one of her colleagues.

“I’m struck by how generous Ally is,” said another colleague.

After hearing someone speak powerfully about ways to counter teacher burnout at a conference she had access to, Ms. Gilbert worked to bring that speaker back to her district so all of her colleagues could also benefit. She is constantly seeking ways to empower, support, and be there for the other educators and staff at Mt. Ararat.

When asked for a single word to describe Ms. Gilbert, students, parents, and colleagues, some of the responses included effervescent, fierce, enthusiastic, kind, dynamic, passionate, sparkly, welcoming, and present.

“She’s done so much for us, and this is what we can give her back,” said one student describing what it would mean to them and the school community for Ms. Gilbert to be Maine Teacher of the Year.

Another student said, “I don’t think our teachers get the recognition they deserve. What makes our school really great is our teachers and it would really help our school.”

This year’s Maine Teacher of the Year selection process began with more than 500 nominations. Sixteen County Teachers of the Year were announced in May and there are currently four finalists. Learn more about the Maine Teacher of the Year program here.