Teacher Of The Year Named For Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo & Counties

The Maine Department of Education released the names of each "Teacher Of The Year" for the state's 16 counties this month.

2024 Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard and the State Teachers of the Year Association Co-President, Hillary Bellefeur joined Governor Mills and top-ranking state education officials in Augusta to make the announcement.

Read More: Ellsworth High School’s Ryan Lowell Named Hancock County Teacher of the Year

The Maine DOE says over 600 teachers from elementary, middle, and high schools across the state, were suggested by fellow educators, students, parents, and administrators. The teachers spanned all subject matters. Some nominees had under a decade of experience, and others have spent several decades teaching.

Those several hundred nominees were then narrowed down and ultimately one teacher per county was chosen by a panel of fellow educators, community members, business leaders, and principals.

“It’s an honor to celebrate these 16 teachers who were nominated by colleagues, parents, and students for their passion, leadership, dedication, and the tremendous difference they make in the lives of their students and at their schools,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.

Among the recipients this year are:

Bangor High School English/Language Arts Teacher Emilie Throckmorton who represents Penobscot County.

7th and 8th Grade English Language Arts Teacher from RSU 80/MSAD 4, Robyn Rich for Piscataquis County.

And East Belfast Kindergarten teacher Shilo Burnham for Waldo County.

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According to the ME Department of Education:

"Maine County Teachers of the Year serve as ambassadors for teachers, students, and schools throughout their year of service. For example, Maine’s 2023 County Teachers of the Year created the #LoveMaineSchools campaign to celebrate the great things that are happening in schools across the state and lift up educator voices."

The teachers chosen for each county face an intensive "Maine State Teacher of the Year" selection process, the Maine DOE says. Of the 16, one teacher will be given the honor of Teacher of the Year for the State of Maine this fall.

For a full list of each teacher named for each county, you can click here.