Skip Crosby is a teacher of Spanish at Poland Regional High School in Poland.  He has been teaching for 23.5 year. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Gordon College, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from University of Maine, Farmington and a Masters in Spanish from Middlebury College. Skip spent two years at La Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia where he earned a certificate in Spanish. Skip graduated from Leavitt Area High School in Turner, ME.

Nominated by: Principal Cari Medd
"Gordon, known by all as “Skip” is working on single-handedly transforming the way world languages are taught."

Kara Beal teaches middle school students in the subject areas of English and Language Arts at Valley Rivers Middle School in Ft. Kent. She has held this position since 2011. Prior to that Kara spent ten years as an Educational Technician at Massabesic Middle School while completing her degree work.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ashford University and a Master’s in General and Special Education from the University of Southern Maine. She is a graduate of USM’s ETEP program.  Kara also coaches Track and Field and serves as Club Advisor for the Civil Rights Team, Student Council and Literacy Club.  

Nominated by: Cindy Gerry
"Kara has a passion for teaching that Ft. Kent has allowed her to pursue."

Sarah teaches 5th graders at Westbrook Middle School.  She has been in the profession for nine years. She teaches Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and Science. Sarah is a graduate of UNH with a Bachelor of Arts in German and she holds a Masters in Teaching and Learning from USM. She is also a graduate of the Extended Teacher Education Program at USM and is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership Program at USM. Sarah serves as a Peer Mentor in her school district.  

Nominated by: Andrea Vasquez, parent
"Apart from being an engaging, enthusiastic and very skilled teacher, Mrs. Brokofsky goes above and beyond to know and understand each child in her class so that everyone has the opportunity to not only thrive but love school and learning."

Sarah teaches 4th grade students at Cascade Brook School in Farmington. She has held this position since 2012. Prior to that she spent six years as a 5th grade teacher at Belgrade Central School and three years as a 7th grade math and science teacher at Windham Middle School. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Farmington and a Master’s in Elementary Literacy Education from the University of Maine. Sarah is a member of the District Teacher Evaluation Team. As a student, Sarah attended Cascade Brook School.

Nominated by: Matthew Reynolds
"Sarah is determined to involve real-world situations in her lessons and is a leader within her school for state initiatives." 

Andrea teaches 10th-12th graders in the subject of Science at Ellsworth High School. Her current focus is Honors Anatomy and Physiology and Advanced Placement Chemistry. She served as Co-Chair of the EHS NEASC re-accreditation committee. Andrea has been teaching for 25 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bates College. Andrea has also served as a School Board member in her hometown of Surry.  

Nominated by: Nicole Glinko, student
"Mrs. Beardsley became my favorite teacher the day I walked into her classroom."

Dan teaches middle school students in the subject area of Math at Hall Dale Middle School. He started at Hall Dale Middle School in 1999 teaching English Language Arts. In 2005, he became the Teacher Leader in Mathematics. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Colby College, a Master of Arts in Public Administration from University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Science in Middle School Mathematics from Walden University. Dan is a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching nominee this year.  

Nominated by: Principal Mark Tinkham
"Dan is one of my exemplar teachers in our standards-based and student-centered system. What I like about Dan’s classroom is that it is organized chaos. Students are working in small groups or accessing mini-lessons or direct instruction from Dan. Whatever the case may be all students are actively engaged in their learning at the appropriate rigor and content standard."

Kristi Todd is a Kindergarten teacher at Union Elementary School. She has been teaching for 14 years. She graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Science in English Education (7-12). She is currently enrolled in graduate program at UM. In her district she serves on the Positive Behavior and Interventions Support team.  

Nominated by: Principal Christina Wotton
“Kristi writes a weekly newsletter to parents that is very detailed about learning and how they can help their child at home. She is planning an "authors’ tea" with parents for students to show off their work."

Cory Chase teaches middle school students at Boothbay Region Elementary School. She serves as Yearbook Advisor and Project Citizen Advisor at the school. Cory started her teaching career in 1993.  She is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s of Science in Education. Her principal says that Cory was born to be a middle school teacher. You have to be part entertainer, part lion tamer and always on top of your game. Cory is all that and more.  

Nominated by: Sarah Sherman, parent 
"After being in Ms. Chase’s class, my son has had the profound realization that not only can I do this, but I’m good at it."

Jeff is a Technology teacher at MVHS. He teaches high school students in the areas of Video Production, Broadcasting, CAD, Architectural Design and Engineering. He serves as the Co-Advisor of the Student Improv Group. He spent ten years as an English teacher at MVHS as well. Jeff started his teaching career in 1998. Jeff holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Secondary Education from University of Maine at Farmington and a Master’s of Science in Educational Technology from the University of Maine.  

Nominated by: Micki Stetson 
"Mr. Bailey has reached out for alternative funding to accommodate a demand for creative teaching tools so that his students will be able to fully utilize their imaginations."

Vicki Grotton is the pre-K teacher at the Glenburn School. In collaboration with the University of Maine, Mrs. Grotton designed the PreK program and has served as the teacher since its start in 2011.  Prior to that she spent nine years as a 6th grade teacher at the Glenburn School. Mrs. Grotton holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from the University of Maine and is currently enrolled in the Master’s in Elementary Education program at UM. Vicki is an active volunteer in her community of Glenburn.  

Nominated by: Candi LaBree, parent
"Victoria Grotton surpasses what it means to be a teacher. She implemented a program given to us by the hospital called Monkey in My Chair to help Ellie stay connected to her classmates when she receives chemotherapy and radiation."

"Mrs. M-C" teaches 6-8th graders at SeDoMoCha Middle School in Dover-Foxcroft. She has held this position since 1987 with the exception of serving one year as a K-5 Assistant Principal in the district.  She started her teaching career in 1977 as an Industrial Arts teacher in Walpole, MA. Dyan holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maine Portland-Gorham (now USM) and a Master’s in Education Administration from the University of Maine. She has served as an Adjunct Professor at Husson University working with pre-service teachers.

Nominated by: Sue Mackey Andrews
"In Dyan’s classroom all children are valued and all children are equal. She transports her confidence and trust in children in her conversations with their parents, which is an incredible gift."  

Eric Varney teaches 9-12 grade students at Morse High School in Bath.  He has held this position since 2004.  Prior to that he spent a year at the Catalina Island Marine Institute in California where he started his teaching career. Eric is a graduate of Dickinson College with a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science. He has a Master’s of Science in Ecological Teaching and Learning from Lesley University and is currently enrolled in Education Leadership classes at USM pursuing a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. Eric holds a USCG Captain’s license and a Maine commercial fishing license.  

Nominated by: Leslie Trundy, colleague
"Eric is a trusted co-worker because of his attentiveness and insightful perspective. He is a strong leader and collaborator. Eric is the youngest recipient of the RSU1 Patricia Ames Distinguished Teacher Award."

Mrs. Dorman serves as a Special Education teacher and Reading Interventionist at Skowhegan Area Middle School. She has held this position since 2006. From 1993 to 2006, she was the K-6 Special Education teacher for the district of MSAD 54 instructing students identified with disabilities in the subject areas of Reading, Writing, Spelling and Math. Mrs. Dorman holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Farmington and a Master of Arts in Education from Lesley University. She also serves as a course instructor for the Maine Education Consortium.

Nominated by: Assistant Principal Doug McEwen
"Mrs. Dorman has a calling for teaching; she teaches her students to strive for excellence, love reading and to respect one another."

Mrs. Frkuska-Heeren is the Title I Literacy teacher at Drinkwater School. She provides direct instruction to students and is the Literacy Coach to classroom teachers. She also serves as the Head Teacher at the school.  She has held this position since 2001. Prior to that she worked as an Early Childhood Special Education Consultant. Ms. Frkuska-Heeren holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Disorders from Bowling Green State University, a Master’s degree in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Reading from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions.  

Nominated by: Sharon Jones, former colleague
"Phyllis goes above and beyond to reach every student. Her reputation as an educator is well documented in the community, but teaching is her heart."  

"Mrs. L” teaches 6, 7, and 8th graders at Charlotte Elementary School in all academic subject areas.  She has been in this position since 2013. Prior to that she spent over ten years as the Resource Room teacher at the school. She also serves as the school’s Technology Coordinator and Robotics Club Advisor. Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College and a Master of Arts in Education from George Washington University. Ann spent two years in Sierra Leone as a Peace Corp volunteer. 

Nominated by: Ann Sluzenski 
"Mrs. L" started a very successful after-school Robotics Club ten years ago and she organizes a regional robotics competition and helps train other teachers in the area to implement robotics programs in their schools."

Kate is an elementary music teacher at Central Elementary School in So. Berwick.  She has held this position since 2003. She has also served as a Sylvan Learning Center Instructor and Music Director at the Presentation of Mary Academy in Massachusetts. Kate worked with the Maine Alliance for Arts Education as a Visual and Performing Arts Teacher Researcher and at the Department of Education as a VPA Teacher Leader. She is the Outdoor Classroom Coordinator and is currently writing a book about how other schools can start an outdoor classroom. 

Nominated by: Kathy Gunst
"Kate is an advocate of teaching kids through music and healthy food. She is passionate about teaching and watching children open their eyes to new things."