2026 County Teacher of the Year Nominations NOW OPEN!
Nominations open from December 17th until January 30th, 2026 at 5 PM EST
To honor and celebrate excellence in teaching and elevate the importance and impact of the teaching profession.
At Educate Maine, we believe the classroom teacher is the backbone of the American educational system. That is why we partner with the Maine Department of Education to administer and manage the Maine Teacher of the Year. The program honors the contributions and elevates the voice of Maine’s classroom teachers. The County and State Teachers of the Year serve as ambassadors of the teaching profession and advocate for quality education of Maine students.
Since 2014, Maine selects 16 County Teachers of the Year, one of whom will be selected as the State Teacher of the Year. The State Teacher of the Year is Maine's nominee for National Teacher of the Year.
Recognizing teachers in Maine is meant to celebrate the thousands of outstanding professional educators in Maine schools and elevate the teaching profession, not to single out any individual as the "best teacher" in Maine.
Julia Edwards is a choral music educator at Bruce Whittier Middle School and Poland Regional High School.
“Music is at the root of some of the best learning in history...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. 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.
Becky Hallowell teaches fourth grade at Wiscasset Elementary School. Committed to place-based or outdoor education, Becky leads her learners outdoors in all kinds of weather for lessons from math to social studies.
"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."
"This recognition is about my amazing students as much as it is about me. How lucky am I to get to be inspired by these hilarious, insightful, motivated, and empathetic humans every day? They make me want to be the best teacher I can be because they deserve it, and they demand it of me."
Joshua Chard teaches 2nd and 3rd grade students at East End Community School in Portland, ME.
“I’m extremely humbled and grateful for this recognition and, even more so, for the opportunity to work with inspiring colleagues, families, and students and for the guidance I’ve received throughout my career from so many in my community. The recognition I am receiving currently is only possible because of how much others have done, and continue to do, to support me and because I have the gift of working with incredible students.”
Matt Bernstein is a 9th grade humanities social studies teacher at Casco Bay High School in Portland, Maine.
"I am passionate about books. One of my favorite things to do is to match students with the right books for them. Books that offer them mirrors -- glimpses of themselves so that they feel seen, or windows -- a view of identities and experiences they might not live but can learn and grow from. Sharing these stories fosters empathy. Sharing stories opens doors. Sharing stories changes perspectives. Sharing stories affirms identities. Sharing stories shows us that we are never alone."
Kelsey Stoyanova teaches 8th grade students Language Arts and Writing at Reeds Brook Middle School in Hampden (RSU 22).
“I’m really overwhelmed with a myriad of emotions, but what I feel most is a deep sense of pride – pride in our school, pride in the learning community we have created together and pride in the fact that the reason I was selected as Maine Teacher of the Year stems from the work we have collectively accomplished across Portland schools together"
Cindy Soule is a 4th grade teacher at the Gerald E. Talbot Community School in Portland, Maine.
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Nominations open from December 17th, 2025 to January 30, 2026 at 5 PM EST.
Whether you’re a student who’s learned from a great teacher, a colleague, administrator, parent or an interested member of the community, here’s your chance to recognize one of Maine’s classroom stars.
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