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.
New plans to teach essential skills for Maine students will emphasize evidence-based instruction, educator training, and academic partnerships.
Augusta, MAINE—At the direction of Governor Janet Mills, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) today announced major new approaches to strengthen back-to-basics reading and math skills in Maine students.
For the 2025-2026 school year, the Maine DOE has launched the Maine State Reading and Math Action Plans, twin initiatives to bring more evidence-based instruction, educator training, and academic partnerships into Maine classrooms to improve student skills in these core academic areas.
“Improving reading and math skills is vital to ensuring that all Maine students reach their full potential,” said Governor Mills. “That is why I have directed the Maine Department of Education to take concrete steps to support teachers across Maine and improve instruction and skills in these critical areas. Our goal must be to see that all Maine students do the best they can in reading, math, and basic skills.”
“These plans are designed to help every student become a confident reader and mathematical thinker,” said Pender Makin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education. “Professional learning for Maine’s teachers will focus on evidence-based instruction, including ‘Science of Reading’ for literacy and research-based math practices. Direct instruction using real-life examples will ensure that Maine’s youngest students acquire the building blocks for all future learning.”
As part of the action plans, the Maine DOE will establish reading and math advisory councils to oversee statewide implementation of the plans, review feedback from the field, monitor statewide progress, and recommend changes. The Maine DOE has appointed former math teacher Victoria Cohen to lead the math council and Peter Lancia, superintendent of the Westbrook School Department, to lead the reading council.
The action plans include evidence-based strategies and updated guidance for schools and districts, as well as commitment from the Maine DOE to provide necessary support and resources. Strategies in the plans include:
Preparing future elementary and early childhood educators to use evidence-based reading and math instruction;
Providing teachers and school leaders access to high-quality instructional resources, as well as participation in annual teacher summits and workshops;
Helping local schools and districts to set literacy attainment goals using universal literacy screeners in early education and elementary grades;
Enabling schools and districts to utilize best practices in early math instruction, incorporating real-world applications in mathematics;
Creating further recommendations for teacher preparation programs through the advisory councils.
Educational leaders in Maine have underscored the potential of the action plans to drive real improvement, noting their strong support for professional learning and evidence-based practices to benefit teachers and students.
“High-impact professional learning for current educators and equipping future teachers with research-based skills resonated with me,” said Kim Fadrigon, K-8 instructional leader at Narragansett Elementary School in Gorham.
“I think the vision is just so exciting to see coming from a state agency. Sending the message that numeracy is important is a critical message for our Maine students,” said Lora Levenseler, head of the mathematics department at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport.
The Maine DOE developed the action plans with input from experts in the field. The plans were also informed by data, including the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which sampled 1,700 4th and 8th grade Maine students in reading and math in 2024. Over the past decade, NAEP scores have shown concerning declines in Maine and other states.
Additionally, the action plans incorporated testing data from the Maine Through Year Assessment, which is administered to approximately 85,000 students in grades 3-8 and 10 at least twice a year to measure progress from fall to spring. The Maine DOE used input from schools that administer local assessments that gauge student progress, as well.
The Maine DOE looks forward to continuing to work with district leaders, educators, families, and community members in the coming months in this ongoing effort to provide the best education possible to all Maine students.
On a warm August evening, Maine teachers gathered around a campfire, as Chris Sockalexis, Panawahpskek (Penobscot) Nation Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, played drums, sang, and shared the importance of music in Wabanaki culture. His words offered a powerful close to the first day of the “Celebrating Rural Maine” summer colloquium, hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Interdisciplinary Instruction Team and the National Council for History Education (NCHE).
The colloquium marked the capstone of a yearlong professional development program supported by the Library of Congress’ Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Partner Program. Over the past year, participating educators have explored the use of primary sources, the Question Formulation Technique, and Maine’s geographical history—from the Wabanaki origin stories to the present day.
Held at the Schoodic Institute in Winter Harbor, this two-day event brought teachers, presenters, and community partners together in a retreat-like setting. Educators immersed themselves in Maine-based primary sources—documents, maps, photographs, and artifacts—and practiced strategies for helping students to analyze and question them.
“It was wonderful to be immersed, away from other distractions,” Jaime Beal, the district librarian in MSAD 40, reflected.
The goal of “Celebrating Rural Maine” is to provide teachers with professional learning, planning time, and community support to design place-based projects that connect students with their local history and environment. This fall, teachers will implement these projects in their classrooms and communities. The resulting work will be shared both on the Maine DOE’s Interdisciplinary Instruction website and the NCHE website, broadening the impact of these local stories.
Some of the highlights of the colloquium included:
A keynote by NCHE director Jessica Ellison, who highlighted the “superpowers” of primary sources by reconstructing the life of an ordinary farmer during the Great Depression.
A session with Dr. Debra Reid of The Henry Ford, who guided teachers through a historical mystery involving Rachel Carson’s eating habits, illustrating how primary sources can answer unexpected questions.
A session with Javaha Ross and Trey Smith of the Philadelphia Writing Project, who engaged participants in civically focused argument writing using child labor sources, encouraging teachers to explore the nuances of debate.
The “It Takes a Community” panel, which featured land trusts, museums, and other cultural and educational partners who support place-based inquiry.
Support from Acadia National Park rangers and volunteers, who showcased the region’s landscapes, wildlife, and local World War II history.
This fall, teachers and their community partners will bring these place-based projects to life, helping students across Maine to deepen their connection to the history, culture, and environment of the places they call home.
The Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Team is part of the Office of Teaching and Learning. To find more interdisciplinary resources and opportunities, please click here or contact Erik Wade, Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist, at erik.wade@maine.gov.
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.
You are invited to join the Maine Engagement and Attendance Center (MEAC) in a new series of monthly virtual office hours. These sessions will focus on exploring Tier 1 evidence-based strategies to support increased attendance. Sessions will be held on the third Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., beginning September 18, 2025, and running through May 21, 2026.
Each practice assists in establishing the conditions under which regular attendance can flourish. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, instructional coach, family member, administrator, or community partner, monthly MEAC moments are designed to offer practical insights, the research behind them, and actionable steps for increasing attendance.
Session topics are as follows:
September 18 – Create emotionally and physically safe environments
October 16 – Build routine, relationships, and relevance
November 20 – Establish early warning systems and a team-based response
December 18 – Strengthen school-home partnerships
January 15 – Use consistent, growth-focused attendance messaging
February 26 – Implement positive recognition and motivation strategies
March 19 – Engage families through proactive, supportive outreach
April 16 – Steps to refocus on increased attendance
The Maine Engagement and Attendance Center is part of the Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports. With questions, please contact Maine DOE Student Engagement Specialist Sarah Nelson at Sarah.Nelson@maine.gov.
Eight of the 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year continue to be in the running for 2026 Maine State Teacher of the Year.
Augusta, MAINE — Eight exceptional Maine educators are state semifinalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year. As members of the 2025 Maine County Teacher of the Year cohort, they embody the dedication, innovation, and leadership in the classroom synonymous with this recognition. These educators serve as ambassadors for their students, colleagues, and school communities, celebrating and elevating the entire teaching profession.
The semifinalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year are:
Julia Edwards 2025 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year Choral Music Teacher Poland Regional High School, RSU 16
Monica Malcomson 2025 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year Second Grade Teacher Frank I. Brown Elementary School, South Portland School Department
Annie Goodwin 2026 Hancock County Teacher of the Year Kindergarten Teacher Dedham Elementary School, AOS 47
Melissa Goeke 2025 Knox County Teacher of the Year Fifth Grade Teacher Hope Elementary School, School Union 69
Bridget Wright 2025 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year English Teacher Lincoln Academy
Benjamin Johnson 2025 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year Latin Teacher Hampden Academy, RSU 22
Dawn Lee 2025 Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year School Library/Media, Unified Literacy Teacher Morse High School, RSU 1
Amanda Blunda 2025 York County Teacher of the Year Fourth/Fifth Grade Experiential Classroom Teacher Buxton Center Elementary School, MSAD 6
The selection process for the Maine Teacher of the Year Program is rigorous and designed by educators to offer candidates an opportunity to reflect on their instructional practice. In January, each candidate was nominated for this recognition by a member of their community, as a result of their exemplary service in education and commitment to their students. Candidates first participated in the county selection process, where a distinguished panel of teachers, principals, business leaders, and community members chose them as 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year from among hundreds of nominees. In May, the members of this cohort embarked on the Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process, showcasing their instructional practices through a classroom video and written reflection.
In the next phase of the selection process, the eight semifinalists will deliver keynote speeches, submit professional portfolios, and participate in an expert panel discussion about educational equity, teacher leadership, and education policy.
“The Maine Teacher of the Year Program provides an essential opportunity to highlight the hard, and often underrecognized, work that Maine educators put into their classrooms every single day,” Pender Makin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, said. “Congratulations to the eight 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year semifinalists on this esteemed and well-earned recognition. Your commitment to your students, communities, and the teaching profession in Maine is commendable.”
“It is an honor to recognize these exemplary educators, whose passion and commitment truly represent the best of Maine’s education community,” Jason Judd, Ed.D., Executive Director of Educate Maine, said. “Their dedication to student success, to innovation in the classroom, and to preparing the next generation of Maine leaders is truly an inspiration. We are excited to work with this cohort in the next phase of the selection process for the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year.”
The state finalists will be announced in September, and the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year will be revealed in October. The 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year will represent Maine in the National Teacher of the Year Program.
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, please click here.
These interns span high school to college and are working across a variety of Maine DOE offices and teams in the spring and summer of 2025.
AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to recognize its nine student interns, working across a variety of Maine DOE offices and teams in the spring and summer of 2025. Many of these interns were selected through the Maine Government Summer Internship Program by the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Institute at the University of Maine. These interns contribute to daily operations and projects at the Maine DOE, gaining valuable professional experience, expanding their knowledge base and skillsets, and building meaningful connections.
Brooklynne Blockler of Dexter, Maine is a rising junior at Thomas College. She is majoring in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and Marketing. As the summer Maine DOE Communications Intern, Blockler will create content for the Maine DOE Newsroom and assist with updates to the Maine DOE website. Blocker says she is excited to expand her knowledge in the communications field and gain experience working at the government level. In her free time, Blockler enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and being with her family.
Brooklynne Blockler
Ellyson Bourgoine of York, Maine is a rising senior at the University of Maine. She is studying Management and Finance with a minor in Legal Studies. As the summer Maine DOE Operations and Events Intern, Bourgoine will support a variety of tasks, including assisting with the hiring process, performance management reporting, and coordinating events. Bourgoine says she is looking forward to learning more about the field of human resources and gaining a deeper understanding of how organizations function. In her free time, Bourgoine enjoys staying active, going on walks, and taking yoga classes.
Ellyson Bourgoine
Vagni Das is a rising senior at Yarmouth High School. She is working as a Maine DOE Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Intern through the end of June. Das was born in India and has lived in Maine for seven years and in America for 15 years. Das says in school, she especially likes learning about history and science. Apart from her regular courses, she also likes doing theater, Model UN, and debate. In her free time, Das enjoys watching movies and singing.
Vagni Das
Olivia Haralson is a graduating senior at Brunswick High School. She is working as a Maine DOE Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Intern through the end of June. Haralson will be attending New York University in the fall to major in Film and Television. Haralson says she has enjoyed writing articles through the Maine DOE about ELO programs at high schools statewide. In her free time, Haralson likes filmmaking, thrifting, and writing.
Olivia Haralson
Adam Hendrix of Mercer, Maine is a rising senior at the University of Maine at Farmington. He is studying Mathematics and Computer Science. As the summer Maine DOE Assistant Financial Analyst Intern, Hendrix will work to automate and optimize the computer-based tasks that those in Education in the Unorganized Territory (EUT) have been performing manually. Hendrix says he is excited to apply his skills to real-world systems that are actively used. In his free time, Hendrix enjoys playing competitive fighting games.
Adam Hendrix
Naomi Lopez of Los Angeles, California is a rising senior at Bowdoin College. She is majoring in Environmental Studies and Psychology. As the summer Maine DOE Green Schools and Climate Literacy Intern, Lopez will support efforts to advance Maine’s Climate Literacy Plan and Green Schools Initiative. Her work will include planning the Green Schools Symposium, creating a professional learning credential for climate education, and more. Lopez says she is particularly excited to help organize the Green Schools Symposium and connect with Maine’s vibrant community of environmental advocates, educators, and students. In her free time, Lopez enjoys watching baseball, trying new ice cream flavors, and exploring scenic spots along Maine’s coast.
Naomi Lopez
Bobin Park of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania is a rising sophomore at Bowdoin College. She is a prospective Government and Legal Studies major. As the Maine DOE Bowdoin Public Service Intern, Park will work on outreach for the Seal of Biliteracy. Park says she looks forward to collaborating with students, educators, parents, and administrators to increase awareness about and adoption of the Seal throughout the State of Maine. She says she is excited to see how much she can accomplish over the next few months. In her free time, Park enjoys exploring downtown Portland for cozy bookstores and vintage shops.
Bobin Park
Emma Sirois of Farmingdale, Maine is a rising junior at the University of Maine. She is studying Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. As a summer Learning Through Technology—Data and Media Assistant Intern, Sirois will work with the Maine Learning Technology Initiative team and help to organize information about how schools are using technology. Sirois says she is excited for the opportunity to step into state work, learn about impactful projects, and gain experience that she can take into her future career. She says she is also looking forward to meeting new people on the Maine DOE team. In her free time, Sirois enjoys traveling to beautiful places in Maine and capturing moments with her digital and film cameras.
Emma Sirois
Molly Taub of Brunswick, Maine is a rising senior at the University of Pittsburgh. She is studying Political Science. As a summer Learning Through Technology—Data and Media Assistant Intern, Taub will work on various projects aimed at assisting schools with technology use and implementation. Taub says she is excited about the opportunity to learn how new forms of technology, such as artificial intelligence, are changing the curriculum in Maine. In her free time, Taub enjoys taking her two golden retrievers swimming in Maquoit Bay.
Molly Taub
The Maine DOE is proud to support and mentor the next generation of leaders through these internship experiences. With their diverse backgrounds, strong work ethic, and dedication to education, these interns are already making valuable contributions that will continue throughout the summer and beyond.
From left to right: Glenn Cummings, Director of Green Schools, Maine DOE; Abigail Hayne, Maine Youth Climate Engagement Coordinator, GOPIF; Robin Sidman, Executive Director, Project Green Schools; Dan Chuhta, Deputy Commissioner, Maine DOE; Michael Isenberg, Board Co-Chair, Project Green Schools
This award from Project Green Schools recognizes the collaboration between the Maine DOE and GOPIF on the Green Schools Initiative.
Washington, D.C. – The Maine Department of Education (DOE) and the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) were recognized nationally today with the 2025 Difference Makers Award for their groundbreaking collaboration on the Green Schools Initiative, an ambitious statewide effort to support Maine schools in improving energy efficiency, saving public funds, and reducing pollution in the state’s pre-K through grade 12 schools.
Presented in Washington, D.C. by Project Green Schools, a nonprofit developing the next generation of environmental leaders, this award celebrates Maine’s visionary leadership in aligning education and environmental policy to improve math, science, and social studies results, reduce pollution emissions, and build climate-resilient school communities.
“Maine educators, students, and school leaders are already making climate-smart choices every day,” Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin said. “This award belongs to them. They are not only embracing clean energy and sustainability; they are preparing for the future by leading with purpose and urgency.”
“This honor is a credit to the students and educators leading the charge on climate action in Maine, helping their schools and communities to build a healthier environment and economy for the future,” GOPIF Director Hannah Pingree said. “I thank the Maine Department of Education for their partnership in this important initiative, which is fostering the next generation of climate leaders to meet our ambitious climate goals.”
“We applaud the State of Maine for setting high standards when it comes to engaging students, schools, citizens, and industry leaders in environmental solutions for a healthier future,” Robin Sidman, Founder and Executive Director of Project Green Schools, said. “Maine is among our nation’s most innovative and impactful Green Schools Leaders honored today at the 2025 Green Difference Awards Ceremony.”
Launched in 2022, the Green Schools Initiative is a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Maine DOE and GOPIF. It focuses on practical and strategic investments—such as energy technical assistance, curriculum development, and student-engaged sustainability planning—that support Maine schools and communities across the state.
Key accomplishments of the initiative include Maine’s first statewide Climate & Me Youth Leadership statewide convening, new tools for tracking school-level environmental data, and ongoing planning for a Green Schools gathering to be held in November of 2025. Bipartisan legislative support has also played a crucial role though supporting energy efficiency, community resilience, outdoor learning for all Maine students, and air quality improvements throughout the state’s public schools.
The Maine DOE and GOPIF also acknowledge national and state partners, including the Maine Environmental Educator Association, Maine Outdoor School for All, Slipstream, Ten Strands, and the U.S. Green Building Council, whose research and policy guidance have helped to accelerate Maine’s climate education efforts.
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.
The two-day event, themed, “Plowing New Paths, Harvesting Dreams,” celebrated youth leadership in agriculture and natural resources.
The Maine FFA Association proudly concluded its 95th annual State Convention on May 9, 2025, following two vibrant days of student-led events, competitions, and career development activities held in the Greater Bangor/Orono region. Hosted primarily at the University of Maine campus in Orono, the convention welcomed more than 300 FFA members, advisors, guests, and supporters from across the state.
This year’s convention theme, “Plowing New Paths, Harvesting Dreams,” guided a full schedule of programming that highlighted youth leadership, innovation in agriculture, and meaningful community engagement. The event featured career and leadership development opportunities in 19 unique areas, including, but not limited to, environmental science, veterinary science, public speaking, floriculture, and tractor driving. Students also participated in community service projects with Maine Harvest for Hunger, the Bangor Humane Society, and Good Shepherd Food Bank.
“This year’s convention theme couldn’t be more fitting, as these words capture both the hard work that defines agricultural life but also the hopeful vision that drives us forward,” Megan Welter, Maine DOE Associate Commissioner of Public Education, said to students during the convention’s opening ceremony. “Since last May, Maine proudly welcomed three new FFA chapters: Poland, Dexter, and Sanford. That expansion brings the State of Maine to 14 chapters, which is a 15% growth in one year. That’s not just a number; that is a testament to the enduring relevance and growing importance of agriculture education in our state.”
Also in attendance during the convention’s opening and closing ceremonies were Deputy Commissioner Nancy McBrady of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry; Dean Diane Rowland of the University of Maine College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences; and National FFA Secretary Luke Jennings, along with State Officers from FFA chapters across Maine. The convention celebrated the achievements of these FFA chapters and installed the 2025-2026 State Officer Team.
“FFA has been the best thing that has happened to me individually, but I also get to watch a lot of other students grow, as well,” Maine FFA State Vice President Haley Mayne said. “I am so proud of everyone, and I think that being in FFA will not only prepare you for things in agriculture but also for real-world experience. It’s such an awesome organization to be a part of.”
Additional highlights from the two-day event included livestock evaluation, an ag mechanics competition, the National FFA Officer workshop, and hands-on activities in aquaculture, horse evaluation, and floriculture.
Maine DOE Newsroom 