Welcome, 2026 County Teachers of the Year!

May 15, 2026

  Welcome to the newest class of Maine County Teachers of the Year!  The 16 honorees – who teach in grades pre-K through high school and in subject areas ranging from chemistry to Spanish -- were celebrated in the Hall of Flags at Maine’s State House on Friday, May 15. Educate Maine, in partnership with the state Department of Education, introduced the new cohort to a crowd of family, friends, colleagues and past honorees.In 2026, hundreds of people from school communities across the… READ MORE

2023 County Teachers of the Year Honored in Augusta

May 12, 2023

Sixteen Maine teachers were announced as 2023 County Teachers of the Year today at a ceremony in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State Capitol during Teacher Appreciation Week. Governor Janet Mills joined Maine Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Dan Chuhta, Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd, State Board of Education Chair Fern Desjardins, 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year Matthew Bernstein, and Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association Co-President Heather Whitaker… READ MORE

End of School Year Message from the 2021 County Teachers of the Year

June 08, 2021

“The theme of being stronger together really came about when we started talking about how much we ALL have done, much of which isn't as visible to people living outside of our schools. The actions of the groups mentioned in the video really proved that we truly are stronger together. We think this video highlights that truth," the group said in a joint statement.  The 2021 County Teachers of the Year - #StrongerTogether4ME READ MORE

The 2021 County Teacher of the Year announcement

May 12, 2021

Watch the ceremony here! READ MORE

Cindy Soule interview with George Hale and Ric Tyler - GHRT Show

December 31, 2020

Cindy Soule on the WVOM GHRT Morning Show READ MORE

Portland 4th Grade Teacher Named 2021 Maine Teacher of the Year

October 08, 2020

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County Teachers of the Year - Remote Teaching and Distance Learning - Lessons learned

August 18, 2020 - Maine State Board of Education asked the teachers to share their experience.

Voices from the classroom!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wa3wtU4LO8&feature=youtu.be READ MORE

2021 Maine Teacher of the Year State Finalists Announced

August 18, 2020 - State Review Panel will conduct 'site visits"

Educate Maine, Maine Department of Education, Maine State Board of Education and the Maine State Teacher of the Year Association are pleased to announce that Cindy Soule (Cumberland), Alison Babb-Brott (Knox) and Heather Webster (Lincoln) are moving on as 2021 State Finalists.   The State Review Panel will conduct school site visits as the next step in the process.   Cindy Soule, 2020 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year; Gerald A. Talbot Community School in Portland Cindy Soule creates a… READ MORE

Maine's 2020 County Teachers of the Years Announced Today

May 14, 2020

2020 County Teachers of the Year Announced in Virtual Ceremony   Teachers from all 16 of Maine’s counties were honored today in a virtual announcement that was broadcast live on the Maine Department of Education Facebook Page.   The Maine County Teacher of the Year announcement is held annually in the spring to honor the teachers selected from nominations for Maine Teacher of the Year from each county. The County Teachers of the Year are the finalists for Maine Teacher of the… READ MORE

Joe Hennessey, 2019 Maine Teacher of the Year

December 17, 2019 - A year in review..An open letter written by Maine’s 2019 Teacher of the Year Joe Hennessey.

  To my fellow colleagues, educators of all levels, and community members throughout the state: What follows is an open letter to you which originates from a place of profound gratitude. It has been my sincere pleasure and honor to represent our profession and its schools as the 2019 Maine Teacher of the Year, and I hope that I have fulfilled that charge acceptably. Eighteen months ago, my principal nominated me for a recognition which many of our colleagues would have been unable to accept for… READ MORE