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Androscoggin: Michael Hayashida

Androscoggin: Michael Hayashida

Androscoggin: Michael Hayashida
School: Poland Regional High School
Grade Levels: 9-12
Subject: Math
School District: RSU 16
Principal: Cari Medd
Superintendent: Tina Meserve

Nominated by: William Hiss
"A lot of his students seem to say, 'Best math teacher I have ever had' ... Michael also has a gentle and humorous personality, helpful in math, which often scares kids. He has a droll sense of humor, so the students don't feel he is abrupt or over their heads, even when they are struggling with the materials."

Aroostook: Michael McCartney

Aroostook: Michael McCartney

Aroostook: Michael McCartney
School: The Maine School of Science and Mathematics
Grade Levels: 9-12
Subject: English, History, First-Year Seminar, Fitness
School District: Statewide Public Magnet School
Principal: Luke Shorty

Nominated by: Alice Bolstridge
"From conversations with him, with colleagues, and with his students, I know Mike as passionately devoted to students’ over-all well-being as well as to their learning. They get an incredibly rich learning experience from his service, one that enriches character as well as knowledge and skills. He is beloved by his students and respected by colleagues.”

Cumberland: Morgan Cuthbert

Cumberland: Morgan Cuthbert

Cumberland: Morgan Cuthbert
School: Frank H Harrison Middle School
Grade Level: 7
Subject: Math, Science
School District: Yarmouth Schools
Principal: Bruce Brann
Superintendent: Andrew Dolloff

Nominated by: Rhonda and Duncan Birkbeck
"From the first day of 7th Grade our child's life was changed. Morgan soon became more than a teacher. He became a mentor, a guide, an ever constant presence in the shifting tides of learning and social challenges that come with Middle School. He led each child, at his own pace, as they challenged the boundaries of their learning. At the same time that he encouraged their academic growth, he was also a steadfast support as they also faced personal growth and challenges. He encouraged them to be individuals-working together.”

Franklin: Selina Warren

Franklin: Selina Warren

Franklin: Selina Warren
School: Kingfield Elementary School
Grade Level: 2
Subject: All subjects
School District: RSU 58/MSAD 58
Principal: Kim Ramharter
Superintendent: Susan Pratt

Nominated by: Kim Ramharter
"The work that Selina Warren does, not only for the students, but for the school and the community is extremely noteworthy. As an educator, Selina has strived to utilize best teaching practices. The planning and preparation that goes into setting up these systems, teaching them to her young learners, and following through on using the taught routines is no easy feat. Selina ensures that all her learners will be successful and that behaviors will not interfere with learning by explicitly teaching expected routines."

Hancock: Rebecca Tapley

Hancock: Rebecca Tapley

Hancock: Rebecca Tapley
School: Brooklin School
Grade Levels: 4-8
Subject: Math grades 4-8, writing grades 6-8
School District: Union 76
Principal: Halina Nawrot
Superintendent: Robert Webster

Nominated by: Sharon Thoner
"Mrs. Tapley has inspired all of the students in Grades 4-8 to strive beyond what they felt was possible and to truly conceptualize math concepts and procedures…Her total dedication is toward the students and their understanding of math."

Kennebec: Andrew Forster

Kennebec: Andrew Forster

Kennebec: Andrew Forster
School: Messalonskee High School
Grade Levels: 6-12
Subject: Band, Music Production, Independent Study, Jazz Band
School District: RSU 18
Principal: Jonathan Moody
Superintendent: Gary Smith

Nominated by: Jonathan Moody
"When I first met Andy as a colleague in 2001, it was immediately apparent to me that he is a one of a kind human being. Andy cares deeply for his students and puts in the time necessary to ensure that all of them (including those not enrolled in his classes) are touched by music and given the chance to shine at Messalonskee."

Knox: Beth Heidemann

Knox: Beth Heidemann

Knox: Beth Heidemann
School: Cushing Community School
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Subject: All subjects
School District: RSU 13
Principal: Ainslee Riley
Superintendent: John McDonald

Nominated by: Margo Murphy
"She is an extra-ordinary teacher… All her students make tremendous growth in the year they are with her. She serves a mentor for teachers around the country."

Lincoln: Erica Atkinson

Lincoln: Erica Atkinson

Lincoln: Erica Atkinson
School: Dresden Elementary School
Grade Level: 3
Subject: All subjects
School District: RSU 02
Principal: Mary Helen Williams
Superintendent: Bill Zima

Nominated by: Lisa Wells
"Erika puts lots of time into prepping, teaching, and evaluating her lessons - far more than required. Teaches kids to love learning by giving them ownership of much of their school experience and shares her own contagious enthusiasm for subjects like poetry. She helps them see subjects (and life!) creatively through exposure to different instructional methods."

Oxford: Joe Cummings

Oxford: Joe Cummings

Oxford: Joe Cummings
School: Oxford Hills Middle School
Grade Levels: 7-8
Subject: Social Studies
School District: RSU 17/MSAD 17
Principal: Troy Eastman
Superintendent: Richard Colpitts

Nominated by: Troy Eastman
"Joe has a true passion for teaching and mentoring students. This passion requires him to spend hours reflecting and refining his pedagogy to actively engage his students in their learning. The results of his efforts are clear, students enjoy his classroom and experience success academically and socially."

Penobscot: Cherrie MacInnes

Penobscot: Cherrie MacInnes

Penobscot: Cherrie MacInnes
School: Brewer Community School
Grade Level: 3
Subject: All subjects
School District: Brewer School Department
Principal: William Leithiser
Superintendent: Cheri Towle

Nominated by: Megan McBurnie, Elizabeth Hanz, Jessica Hall, Sharon Nickerson, Rosa Thompson and Makala Skinner
"Mrs. MacInnes has a deep commitment to her students that spans across the years. I was her student back in the '90s, and she continues to be a source of support. Over the years, her lesson plans have evolved with the changing world and advances in technology. She brings the world to her students. I am about to finish up my graduate degree in medicine, and she remains the best teacher I ever had."

Sagadahoc: Lawrence Kovacs

Sagadahoc: Lawrence Kovacs

Sagadahoc: Lawrence Kovacs
School: Bath Middle School
Grade Levels: 6-8
Subject: All subjects
School District: RSU 01 - LKRSU
Principal: Brandon Ward
Superintendent: Patrick Manuel

Nominated by: Karen Curley
"Lawrence enjoys an easy rapport with his students and encourages them to be independent learners. As a colleague, he fully supports other staff’s efforts and never hesitates to lend expertise and energy. Lawrence has a wonderful sense of humor which is appreciated by students and staff alike. The quality of the education our students receive in this district has been enhanced because of his dedication."

Somerset: Tamara Ranger

Somerset: Tamara Ranger

Somerset: Tamara Ranger
School: Skowhegan Area Middle School
Grade Levels: 7-8
Subject: English Language Arts
School District: RSU 54/MSAD 54
Principal: Zachary Longyear
Superintendent: Brent Colbry

Nominated by: Zachary Longyear
"She encompasses the entire construct of education serving her students, parents, colleagues, community, and herself as a professional. Be it through her ability, drive, or compassion, Ms. Ranger is an educator who defines what the Teacher of the Year title and philosophy stands for."

Waldo: Kristen Kelley

Waldo: Kristen Kelley

Waldo: Kristen Kelley
School: Islesboro Central School
Grade Levels: 7-12
Subject: English
School District: Islesboro School Department
Principal: Heather Knight
Superintendent: Patrick Phillips

Nominated by: Jane Cady
"Ms. Kelley is amazingly connected to her students and their individual needs. She goes above and beyond her job description in making sure that each of her students is achieving his/her full potential. She teaches with humor and grace, and makes her subject material fun and interesting for her students, while keeping her expectations of their progress and learning high. My children aren't just learning how to write well, they are also learning to be highly critical thinkers."

Washington: Jane Andrews

Washington: Jane Andrews

Washington: Jane Andrews
School: Princeton Elementary School
Grade Level: 4
Subject: All subjects
School District: Princeton School Department
Principal: Charity Williams
Superintendent: William Braun

Nominated by: Mary Hitchings
"Jane can be found front and center at both school and community fundraisers. She glows when she talks about her job and her students! Jane is also a life-long resident of Princeton, giving back to a community that has seen her through both the good times and the bad. She is a wonderful woman who truly loves her profession and gives her students her best--always!"

York: Pamela Starkey

York: Pamela Starkey

York: Pamela Starkey
School: Marshwood Great Works School
Grade Level: 5
Subject: All subjects
School District: RSU 35/MSAD 35
Principal: Jerry Burnell
Superintendent: Mary Nash

Nominated by: Kate Smith
"Pam Starkey is an exceptional educator and colleague who exemplifies best practice. She is a dedicated life-long learner whose energy and passion fuel students, parents and colleagues. She consistently goes above and beyond to meet the emerging needs of her students. Her influence goes beyond her building to the entire district."