Teachers of the Year for each of Maine’s counties were announced in a formal State House Hall of Flags ceremony on Friday. From Kingfield to Princeton, from Limestone to South Berwick, from a field of 300 nominees, an outstanding Teacher of the Year has been announced for 15 of Maine’s counties.

Dr. William Beardsley, deputy commissioner of education led the ceremony saying, “Each of us remembers a teacher who changed our lives, a special teacher who instructed us in formal education, yet who also mentored us in becoming who we are. These County Teachers of the Year we honor today are individuals with exceptional yet different gifts. They personify the best in their profession. Their past and present students are a testament to their careers.”

The 2016 County Teachers of the Year are:

  • Aroostook: Michael McCartney, Maine School of Science and Mathematics, Limestone
  • Androscoggin: Michael Hayashida, Poland Regional High School
  • Cumberland: Morgan Cuthbert, Harrison Middle School, Yarmouth
  • Franklin: Selina Warren, Kingfield Elementary School
  • Hancock: Rebecca Tapley, Brooklin Elementary School
  • Kennebec: Andrew Forster, Messalonskee High School, Oakland
  • Knox: Beth Heidemann, Cushing Community School
  • Lincoln: Erika Atkinson, Dresden Elementary School
  • Oxford: Joseph Cummings, Oxford Hills Middle School
  • Penobscot: Cherrie MacInnes, Brewer Community School
  • Sagadahoc: Lawrence Kovacs, Bath Middle School
  • Somerset: Tamara Ranger, Skowhegan Area Middle School
  • Waldo: Kristen Kelley, Islesboro Central School
  • Washington: Jane Andrews, Princeton Elementary School
  • York: Pamela Starkey, Marshwood Great Works School, So. Berwick

Those honored today will move forward in an intensive selection process that will include the creation of a video showcasing their classroom instructional practices, portfolio development and review, school visits and an interview with a state review panel. At the end of this review, three state finalists will be chosen, and ultimately the 2017 Maine Teacher of the Year will be selected and named by Maine’s top education officials at a surprise all-school assembly this fall.

Piscataquis County is not represented this year. State Teacher of the Year Coordinator, Dolly Sullivan said, “Of the four Piscataquis County teachers nominated, none chose to move forward in the process. It is our hope to have all counties represented next year.”

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