Eight exceptional Maine educators are state semifinalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year. As members of the 2025 Maine County Teacher of the Year cohort, they embody the dedication, innovation, and leadership in the classroom synonymous with this recognition. These educators serve as ambassadors for their students, colleagues, and school communities, celebrating and elevating the entire teaching profession.  

The selection process for the Maine Teacher of the Year Program is rigorous and designed by educators to offer candidates an opportunity to reflect on their instructional practice. In January, each candidate was nominated for this recognition by a member of their community, as a result of their exemplary service in education and commitment to their students. Candidates first participated in the county selection process, where a distinguished panel of teachers, principals, business leaders, and community members chose them as 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year from among hundreds of nominees. In May, the members of this cohort embarked on the Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process, showcasing their instructional practices through a classroom video and written reflection. 

In the next phase of the selection process, the eight semifinalists will deliver keynote speeches, submit professional portfolios, and participate in an expert panel discussion about educational equity, teacher leadership, and education policy. 

“The Maine Teacher of the Year Program provides an essential opportunity to highlight the hard, and often underrecognized, work that Maine educators put into their classrooms every single day,” said Pender Makin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education. “Congratulations to the eight 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year semifinalists on this esteemed and well-earned recognition. Your commitment to your students, communities, and the teaching profession in Maine is commendable.” 

“It is an honor to recognize these exemplary educators, whose passion and commitment truly represent the best of Maine's education community," said Jason Judd, Ed.D., Executive Director of Educate Maine. "Their dedication to student success, to innovation in the classroom, and to preparing the next generation of Maine leaders is truly an inspiration. We are excited to work with this cohort in the next phase of the selection process for the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year." 

The state finalists will be announced in September of 2025, and the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year will be revealed in October of 2025. The 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year will represent Maine in the National Teacher of the Year Program. 

The Maine Teacher of the Year Program is administered by Educate Maine through a unique partnership with the Maine Department of Education, with support from the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association (MCSTOYA) and the Maine State Board of Education. Funding for this program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Unum, Geiger, Hannaford Supermarkets, Maine State Lottery, and the Silvernail Family. 

For more information about the Maine Teacher of the Year Program, and to see a list of Maine County Teachers of the Year and Maine State Teachers of the Year, please click here. 

The semifinalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year are: 

Julia Edwards 
2025 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year 
Choral Music Teacher 
Poland Regional High School, RSU 16  

Monica Malcomson 
2025 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year 
Second Grade Teacher 
Frank I. Brown Elementary School, South Portland School Department 

Annie Goodwin 
2026 Hancock County Teacher of the Year 
Kindergarten Teacher 
Dedham Elementary School, AOS 47 

Melissa Goeke 
2025 Knox County Teacher of the Year 
Fifth Grade Teacher 
Hope Elementary School, School Union 69 

Bridget Wright 
2025 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year 
English Teacher 
Lincoln Academy 

Benjamin Johnson 
2025 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year 
Latin Teacher 
Hampden Academy, RSU 22 

Dawn Lee 
2025 Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year 
School Library/Media, Unified Literacy Teacher 
Morse High School, RSU 1 

Amanda Blunda 
2025 York County Teacher of the Year 
Fourth/Fifth Grade Experiential Classroom Teacher 
Buxton Center Elementary School, MSAD 6