Why I Teach: "Every child deserves a safe place where they feel comfortable enough to take risks and grow academically, socially, and emotionally. It is my goal to make my classroom that safe place for students."
Education: Bachelor of Science in K-12 Education, Health and Physical Education Concentration, University of Maine at Presque Isle, Presque Isle, ME; Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, New England College, Henniker, NH
Nominated by: Mandy Kilcollins, Teaching Colleague
Why I Teach: "I teach because every student deserves a safe space and an advocate who believes in them and their unique needs on their journey to realizing their value and worth toward excellence. Each day is an opportunity to inspire and be inspired, to learn and grow together, to take action toward wellness, and to live happier, healthier lives with endless possibilities."
Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Marine Biology, University of New England; Master of Science in Zoology, University of New Hampshire
Nominated by: Parent of current/former student: Hannah Tevolini, Community Members: Devin Green, Victoria Lavine, Alex Meyers, Cathleen Wasielewski, Friends: Tess Jacquez, Olivia Testa, Laura Palagyi
Why I Teach: "I teach with the aim of inspiring students to realize their fullest potential, fostering self-belief, and nurturing the empowerment of their inner voices."
Education: Associate of Science in Business, Thomas College, Waterville, ME; Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME
Nominated by: Tracy Williams, Supervising Principal
Why I Teach: "I teach because I want every student to believe they deserve a seat at the table. I see potential in every child and it is a privilege to encourage and push them to find their voices and develop their self confidence. There is no finer work than being a part of cultivating a strong classroom community."
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, St. Michael’s College, Colchester, VT; Master of Science in Education, Teaching and Learning, University of Southern Maine, Gorham, ME
Nominated by: Dan Clifford, Supervising Principal
Why I Teach: "I want to make a difference. With lots of gratitude for the teachers in my life, I hope to empower my students with the skills, confidence, patience, empathy, and resilience they'll need to pursue their passions."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Secondary Education, English, University of Maine at Farmington; Master of Library and Information Science, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Nominated by: Heather Wilson, Supervising Principal
Why I Teach: "I teach because every day is a chance to ignite a spark of curiosity and inspire minds to flourish. It's about fostering a community of learners who embrace challenges and celebrate victories together. Teaching isn't just about imparting information; it's about empowering the next generation to change the world one lesson at a time. It's not just a job; it's a journey of discovery and growth for both students and myself."
Education: Bachelor of Arts in History, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA; Master of Education, University of Southern Maine
Nominated by: Brooke Holland, Parent of two former students
Why I Teach: "I teach because I have a passion for working with youth, whether it be in the classroom, on the track, or on the rivers and lakes in Maine during the summer. I firmly believe all children have a spark for learning, they just need an adult that believes in them and can fan that spark into a fire. I feel honored to be on the learning journey with my students and gain immeasurable energy from the process."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education, University of Maine at Farmington, Farmington, ME; Master of Education, Educational Leadership, University of Southern Maine
Nominated by: Neera Harmon, Teaching Colleague
Why I Teach: "I love to share the joy of learning with students as they find their own amazing identities."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, University of Maine at Presque Isle
Nominated by: Lacey Todd, Teaching Colleague and 2023 Oxford County Teacher of the Year
Why I Teach: "I teach to be a light in my students' lives, to love and believe in them, and to provide a safe and regulated space for the many children in our community. I teach so that my students know there's someone in their corner at all times. I teach because it's what I've been called to do."
Education: Bachelor of Arts in English Literature & Language, University of Michigan; Masters in Secondary English Education, University of Maine; Doctor of Education, University of New England
Nominated by: Kelsey Stoyanova, Teaching Colleague, 2022 Maine Teacher of the Year
Why I Teach: "I teach because I cannot think of another career that could fulfill or stretch me more as a person. I spend my days with bright, unique, and funny kids who surprise or inspire me everyday. I feel lucky if I can offer students a place to feel safe, and even luckier if I can help guide them towards finding their own path."
Education: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, SUNY Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh, NY; Master of Science in Education, General Education, University of New England, Biddeford, ME
Nominated by: John Keane, Supervising Principal
Why I Teach: "I prefer to live in a community where people can solve problems, find the information they need to live productive lives, and discover the infinite joys of learning new things every day."
Nominated by: Suzie Brawn, Teaching Colleague
Why I Teach: "I teach because I firmly believe that a robust education serves as the cornerstone for nurturing a generation of informed, empathetic, and analytical thinkers prepared to lead us into the future."
Nominated by: Kimberly Leo, Community Member
Why I Teach: "I strive to make a positive impact in the lives of my students. Every student needs someone to advocate for them, to make them feel seen, valued, and heard. When students feel that support and there's trust, that's when the best learning happens."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, University of Maine at Farmington, Farmington, ME
Nominated by: Melinda Larrabee, Teaching Colleague
Why I Teach: "I teach because being an educator is my passion and privilege as I endeavor to be of service to our children and community. Sharing knowledge and curiosity, modeling kindness, and fostering resilience and self-regulation is my great joy. It is my core belief that every child deserves an adult who will always be in their life to honor, mentor, and champion for their hopes and dreams. I get to be one of those lucky adults!"
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Pine Manor College, Chestnut Hill, MA; Master of Education in Special Education, University of Maine, Orono, ME
Nominated by: Eric Brooks, Supervising Principal
Why I Teach: "I teach because it allows me to build meaningful relationships with my students and their families. Being able to work side by side with caregivers and students to assist them as they grow and flourish is so rewarding. Without a doubt, building these long lasting relationships with students and families is the best part of my job, and I will always be cheering them on."
Nominated by: Amy Francoeur, Community Member
Why I Teach: "I teach because every day I get to go to work and make a difference. Every child needs someone who believes in them and helps them see their potential. I want to be the person who inspires students to find the power of their voice, dream big, and someday maybe even change the world."
