Why I Teach: "I teach because every student needs a safe place to learn, a consistent adult to inspire them, someone to believe in them and love them despite their challenges and to push them to their full potential. I feel blessed that my passion is to make a difference everyday."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, University of Maine at Presque Isle; Master of Science in Education, Reading Specialist, University of New England
Nominated by: Meghan Russell, Teaching Colleague and Parent
Why I Teach: "I teach because every child needs a fresh start, a person to believe in them, and an environment that supports and pushes them to grow to be the best they can be."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education: Concentration in Theater and Music Performance, University of Southern Maine; ESOL K-12 Endorsement, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, University of Southern Maine; Master of Science, K-6 Literacy, University of New England; Post Graduate Certificate, K-6 Standards Based Mathematics, American College of Education, Indianapolis, IN
Nominated by: Boyd Marley, Supervising Principal and Kelly Thornhill, Assistant Principal
Why I Teach: "I teach because I stand tall on the shoulders of the teachers who lifted me up and saw my potential even when I couldn’t see it myself. I strive to be the teacher who lifts his students up in the same way, so that those students look back and say, “I stand tall on Mr. Chard’s shoulders.” I can think of no better legacy than that."
Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Asian Studies and Religion, University of Vermont, Burlington; Master of Science of Education, University of Maine at Farmington; Administrative Certificate, University of Maine at Farmington
Nominated by: Timothy Straub, Teaching Colleague, Parent, and Community Member
Why I Teach: "I teach because it is so much fun and extremely fulfilling. I absolutely love it. With constant encouragement, a lot of elbow grease on everybody's part, and many pep talks, I witness, every year, young adults become excited and enthusiastic about their future, full of dreams and big ideas."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education: Visual and Performing Arts Concentration, University of Maine Farmington; Master of Education, Literacy, University of Maine
Nominated by: Elizabeth Stanley, Parent/School Board Member, and Paige Osgood, Teaching Colleague
Why I Teach: "I teach because every child deserves someone that believes in them and all that they will achieve! They inspire me each and every day and how very lucky we are to have each other in this ever-changing world!"
Education: Bachelor of Science, Management, Thomas College; Master of Science, Geosciences, Mississippi State, Starkville, MS
Nominated by: Debra Butterfield, Teaching Colleague
Why I Teach: "I teach because my passion is to inspire a love of learning. In today's ever-changing world, inspiring curiosity, creativity, and problem solving influences my students to create positive change."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, Johnson State College, Bachelor of Arts, Human Ecology, College of the Atlantic; Master of Arts, Religious Education, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
Nominated by: Cheryl Morin, Teaching Colleague
Why I Teach: "I teach because it matters. I’m in love with imparting curiosity and wonder, empathy and action, understanding and knowledge for the world in which they live. I long to captivate students’ imaginations for their future selves! I’m the lucky one to witness their growth!"
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Concentration in Art and Architectural History and Psychology, Ithaca College; Master of Education, Literacy, Writing and the Teaching of Writing, University of Maine; Graduate Certificate in Teacher Consultant in Writing, University of Maine
Nominated by: Julia Levensaler, Supervising Principal
Why I Teach: "I teach because my colleagues and our students overwhelm me with inspiration, and I want those children to be inspired and cherished as well. I’m on their side and they need to know it every day."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education: Music Concentration, University of Maine at Farmington; Master of Science in Education, Inclusion Education, University of New England; Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, Literacy K-12, University of New England; Education Specialist, Teacher Leadership, Walden University
National Board Certified Teacher
Nominated by: Jessica Curato, Teaching Colleague
Why I Teach: "I teach because my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Steele, noticed me, loved me, and believed in me. This enabled me to see, firsthand, how one connection can make a lasting difference. I teach because I want to be that difference maker."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, University of Maine; Master of Education, Special Education, University of Maine; Certificate of Advanced Study: Special Education and Literacy, University of Maine
National Board Certified Teacher
Nominated by: Aiden Dawicki, Former Student
Why I Teach: "I teach to encourage and empower students to become their unique stories. The stories they tell and those they listen to are both part of their journey. It is a tremendous privilege to be a part of that journey."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Health and Physical Education, University of Maine at Presque Isle; Master of Education, University of New England
Nominated by: Jessica Atkinson, Teaching Colleague, Former Student, and Community Member
Why I Teach: "I teach because I I want to make the world a better place one student at a time."
École de Gestion et de Commerce, Saint-Nazaire, France; Bachelor of Science, Education: Mathematics and Computer Information Systems, Thomas College
Nominated by: Christine Del Rossi and Lianna Fenimore, Teaching Colleagues
Why I Teach: "I teach because I strive to culture skilled problem solvers who are able to understand others' points of view."
Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education: Visual and Performing Arts, University of Maine at Farmington, Master of Education, Inclusion Education, University of New England, Certificate of Advanced Study, Literacy K12, University of New England, Certificate of Advanced Study, Reading Specialist – Literacy Coach, University of New England
Nominated by: Deidre Mitchel, Director of Title One, Literacy Coach
Why I Teach: "I teach to be an advocate for students and families, to share the kindness and empathy that has been shared with me, and to show students that learning can be challenging and fun all at the same time."
Education: Bachelor of Science, Youth/Child Development, Husson University, 081 Early Childhood teaching endorsement, University of Maine, 029 K-3rd teaching endorsement, University of Maine
Nominated by: Carrie Robinson and Mallory Tonner, Parents of Former Students
Why I Teach: "I teach because teaching is the profession where I was fully able to shift my thinking from “I need to go to work everyday” to “I GET to go to work and do this everyday.” I teach because every student needs a positive, supportive individual at school; someone who forms real relationships with them, lifts them up, sees their full potential and I always want to be that person. I love being a part of each student's growth in all areas and observing the ‘light bulb’ moments never gets old!"
Education: Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, University of Maine at Machias
Nominated by: Gabrielle Brodek, Community Member
Why I Teach: "I teach because it is my passion. Creating engaging learning experiences and finding ways to spark student interest is challenging and fulfilling. It’s exciting to unearth misconceptions and explain concepts in new ways. I love being a teacher who brings energy and a love of learning to the classroom every day."
Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education: Liberal Arts, University of Maine
Nominated by: Melissa Fries, Parent of Former Student
Why I Teach: "I teach because the future of the world is in my classroom today! I get to help connect my students to their community and beyond as they find ways to make it a better place for all!"
