The Week of the Young Child® highlights the importance of early childhood education and the foundational role it plays in a child’s success. This week also serves as an opportunity to celebrate the early care and education professionals who nurture and support children and families during this critical stage of growth and development.

This year, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is teaming up with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child and Family Services – Early Care and Education Division to honor dedicated professionals who make a meaningful impact on young children and families.

Each day of the week during the Week of the Young Child, the Maine DOE will highlight early childhood professionals who have been nominated by their colleagues and the communities they serve.

Here are the Friday Early Childhood Professional Spotlights:

• Renee Lancaster, Moose Alley Daycare – “I love working in early childhood because I get to make meaningful, memorable experiences for the families we serve,” Lancaster said.
• Resa Jones, The Children’s Nursery School – “Resa’s calm presence and creative approach is evident as soon as you walk in the classroom,” Jones’ nominator said.
• Sadie Burleigh, Millinocket KidsPeace – “Sadie is naturally calm and patient with our high-needs students,” Burleigh’s nominator said.
• Sarah Croce, East End Community School – “I love being a part of the amazing growth and development that happens within a school year,” Croce said.
• Sarah Martin, Sarah’s Busy Bees – “Watching the kids start as tiny kindergartners until they leave as middle schoolers has been a gift,” Martin said.
• Shari Edgecomb – “She knows how to meet students where they are developmentally, celebrating students’ achievements and fostering a safe space where they feel compelled to learn,” Edgecomb’s nominator said.
• Shelby Palmer – “Shelby goes above and beyond in every aspect of her day,” Palmer’s nominator said.
• Shelby Riley, The Little Schoolhouse on Maine – “I have been in this field for 11 years and there isn’t a day that goes by that I question if I love my job,” Riley said.
• Stacie Gray – “She’s been dedicated to her career for over 20 years and her level of nurturing, enthusiasm, and professionalism is unmatched in my opinion,” Gray’s nominator said.  
• Stella Duhaime – “I am nominating Stella Duhaime for her unwavering dedication and commitment to children and families,” Dauhaime’s nominator said.
• Sue Blankenship – “She works closely with students and their teachers, building trusting relationships that allow for growth and continued development,” Blankenship’s nominator said.
• Summer Lamprey, Windham Raymond School Aged Childcare – “I love getting to know each one of my kids on a personal level, and they do the same with me,” Lamprey said.
• Susan Bell – “She has a heart of gold, welcoming everyone with open arms. She truly makes every child feel loved like they are her own, ” Bell’s nominator said.
• Susan Hougaz McCormic, Children’s Odyssey – “Having the opportunity to provide meaningful learning experiences for my young students to help them develop the skills they will need to be successful in their education is what nourishes my love of teaching,” Hougaz McCormic said.
• Tammy Osborne – “Her interactions with children, staff, and families all speak to her commitment to best practice, to the importance of relationships, and of the true joy she finds in teaching young children,” Osborne’s nominator said.
• Terri Gerrish – “Her extensive experience at Head Start and now in the public pre-K classroom truly enriches this community’s educational environment,” Gerrish’s nominator said.
• Tess Glanville, Ledgemere Preschool – “The environment that Tess has curated at Ledgemere Preschool is fantastic – Spanish, music, yoga, cooking, and visits from Audubon are all a part of their usual curriculum,” Glanville’s nominator said.
• Theresa Fisk, Maine Roads to Quality Professional Development Network – “I have the privilege of witnessing the extraordinary work of our early care and education professionals throughout Maine,” Fisk said.
• Tiffany Shaw, Buxton Center Elementary School – “There’s magic in watching young minds discover the world,” Shaw said.
• Tyisha Longus – “Ms. Ty is a hardworking mother and has made all the difference in my experience with my daughter in a childcare setting,” Longus’ nominator said.
• Wendy Cooper – “She sees what a child is interested in and grows that with the toys she puts out and the opportunities she creates and conversations she has with a child,” Cooper’s nominator said. 

The Week of the Young Child® highlights the importance of early childhood education and the foundational role it plays in a child’s success. This week also serves as an opportunity to celebrate the early care and education professionals who nurture and support children and families during this critical stage of growth and development.

This year, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is teaming up with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child and Family Services – Early Care and Education Division to honor dedicated professionals who make a meaningful impact on young children and families.

Each day of the week during the Week of the Young Child, the Maine DOE will highlight early childhood professionals who have been nominated by their colleagues and the communities they serve.

Here are the Thursday Early Childhood Professional Spotlights:

• Kim Olsen, Ella P. Burr Elementary School – “My greatest joy teaching is seeing the kids’ smiles/joy when they master a skill or are working on a science experiment,” Olsen said.
• Laura Dyer – “She provides young students with both structure and kindness, creating a supportive environment where they can thrive,” Dyer’s nominator said.
• Laurene Randal, Brilliant Bloomers Nursery School – “I love my job because teaching young children is my true passion, and I appreciate it even more because it took me a long time to make my dream of being a teacher come true!” Randal said.
• Linda Levesque, Washington County Community College – “I love my job because of the people I have been working with over the past 35 years – early childhood students, teachers, caregivers, professionals,” Levesque said.
• Lindsae Kish – “Lindsae has demonstrated unwavering commitment to creating a nurturing, high-quality learning environment for young children,” Kish’s nominator said.
• Lisa Grant – “Lisa is an incredible co-lead teacher. Her ideas, strength, love, and commitment to her families and co-teachers are how every early childhood educator should strive to be,” Grant’s nominator said.
• Loyann Worster, Veazie Community School – “I love what I do because I love to see little faces light up and hear them say, ‘This is the best day ever.'” Worster said.
• Mackenzie Fittswood – “Mackenzie always puts her students’ best interests first. She not only helps them to grow academically but also socially,” Fittswood’s nominator said.
• Madeleine Mazur, Roselyn North Academy -“I believe Early Childhood Education to be one of the most important professions, as it goes beyond academic education,” Mazur said.
• Maggie York, St. John’s Catholic School – “She is the heartbeat of our school, often also serving as the emcee for school events with her infectious wit and kind approach,” York’s nominator said.
• Mandi Nook – “I have heard her refer to the children as her ‘customers;’ she is here to provide them with the best ‘service,’ a fun-filled early learning experience,” Nook’s nominator said. 
• Margaret (Meg) Blake, Region 10 Technical High School – “As an Early Childhood Educator at Region 10 Technical High School, Meg has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering young children’s learning, development, and well-being,” Blake’s nominator said.
• Margot Entwisle, The Bay School – “The space she creates can only be described as magical. It is a warm space where children feel safe to be their whole authentic best selves,” Entwisle’s nominator said.
• Mary Berry, The Berry Patch – “Mary is patient, kind, and extremely caring for all her daycare children. She continues to keep our children stimulated, learning, and exploring,” Berry’s nominator said.
• Mary Melanson – “Mary fosters a warm and inclusive classroom where every child feels valued and supported,” Melanson’s nominator said. 
• Mary White, Indian Township Daycare – “Mary is a very creative person and can usually engage most children in an activity,” White’s nominator said.
• Megan Pelletier, Serendipity Creek Childcare Center – “I love supporting all young learners and guiding them through their milestones, and I love teaching,” Pelletier said.
• Melanie McGrath, ABC Preschool – “I am blessed each day to work with amazing families, students, and co-workers!” McGrath said.
• Mela Shaw – “Mela has been a dedicated, caring, and compassionate preschool teacher for 22 years!” Shaw’s nominator said.
• Melanie Taylor, Roselyn North Academy – “I’ve always loved seeing each child grow and develop their skills and meet their milestones,” Taylor said.
• Michelle Blanchette, Little Buddies Learning Center & Childcare – “Glitter, glue, painted snow, recycled anything projects, a dance party for all ages, and a huge smile is what Ms. Micki has brought to Little Buddies for 10 years,” Blanchette’s nominator said.
• Miranda Dostie – “I nominate Miranda because she is a teacher and an employee who gives her heart and soul to her children and classroom day after day,” Dostie’s nominator said.
• Noah Bragdon – “Noah has been working with children for just a few years, but in the last several months, he has really come out of his shell and has emerged as a quality childhood educator,” Bragdon’s nominator said.