AUGUSTA, Maine — Sixteen outstanding teachers from across Maine were announced as the 2023 County Teachers of the Year at a ceremony in Augusta on Thursday.
Gov. Janet Mills and several others, including 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year Matthew Bernstein of Casco Bay High School, gathered to honor the new class of teachers of the year during a ceremony held in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State Capitol, according to a news release from the Maine Department of Education.
The 16 teachers were selected from a pool of more than 500 statewide nominees by a panel of "teachers, principals, and business community members within their community," the release said.
This year's selected County Teachers of the Year reportedly include elementary, middle, high school, and adult education professionals who have taught for as long as six to 30 years. Subjects range from "science, reading, and social studies to graphic communications, health, and physical education."
Teachers were selected based on objectives and criteria that focused on professional excellence and community impact.
Maine's 2023 County Teachers of the Year are as follows:
- Androscoggin: Tanya Perreault, Kindergarten Teacher, Spruce Mountain Primary School, Livermore
- Aroostook: Emily Rosser, 1st Grade Teacher, Caribou Community School
- Cumberland: Joshua Chard, 2nd Grade Teacher, East End Community School, Portland
- Franklin: Maryam Emami, High School Digital Learning and Social Studies, Rangeley Lakes Regional School
- Hancock: Miranda Engstrom, Elementary Reading Recovery and Gifted and Talented Teacher, Lamoine Consolidated School
- Kennebec: Sharon Gallant, High School Science and Engineering Teacher, Gardiner Area High School
- Knox: Donna Munro, 4th Grade Teacher, Union Elementary
- Lincoln: Edith Berger, 6th Grade Writing and Social Studies Teacher, Miller School, Waldoboro
- Oxford: Lacey Todd, Middle School Special Education Teacher, Mountain Valley Middle School, Mexico
- Penobscot: Jessica Archer, Middle School Special Education and Adult Education Teacher, Orono Middle School
- Piscataquis: Dawn McLaughlin, Elementary Physical Education and Health Education Teacher, Milo Elementary School
- Sagadahoc: Rob Messier, High School Math Teacher, Mt. Ararat High School, Topsham
- Somerset: Katie Flannery, 3rd Grade Teacher, Bloomfield Elementary School, Skowhegan
- Waldo: Catie Ray, Kindergarten Teacher, Gladys Weymouth Elementary School, Morrill
- Washington: Colleen Maker, High School Science and Engineering Teacher, Washington Academy, East Machias
- York: Lisa Tripp, 6th Grade Science Teacher, Bonny Eagle Middle School, Buxton
Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin commended the selected teachers for their hard work, skill, and heartfelt community focus.
"These 16 extraordinary teachers were nominated by colleagues, parents, and students for their passion, leadership, dedication, and the difference they make in the lives of their students and school community," Makin said in the release. "They make each student feel seen and valued, inspire everyone around them, and engage their students in rich, meaningful learning. I want to offer my sincere appreciation for everything that you do and it’s such an honor to celebrate you as Maine’s County Teachers of the Year."
The 2023 teacher cohort will continue to participate in the Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process for the selection to be made this fall, the release stated.
You can learn more about this year's County Teacher of the Year winners by visiting the Maine Department of Education's website here.
