PORTLAND — This year we received approximately 300 nominations from across the state. Thank you to all who nominated a teacher and to all the outstanding teachers who participated in the rigorous selection process. Check below to see who represents your County in 2016!

Knox: Beth Heidemann
School: Cushing Community School
Community: Cushing
District: RSU 13
Grade Level: K
Subject: All subjects
Years Teaching: 23
Education: B.A. in Human Ecology and K-8 Teaching Certification from College of the Atlantic (National Board Certified – Early Childhood Generalist)
Principal: Ainslee Riley
Superintendent: John McDonald
Nominated by: Margo Murphy
She is an extraordinary teacher... All her students make tremendous growth in the year they are with her. She serves a mentor for teachers around the country.

Waldo: Kristen Kelley
School: Islesboro Central School
Community: Islesboro
District: Islesboro School Department
Grade Level: 7-12
Subject: English
Years Teaching: 12
Education: M.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing from University of Hawaii at Manoa, B.A. in English from Vassar College
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.

Aroostook
Michael McCartney, Maine School of Science and Mathematics

Androscoggin
Michael Hayashida, Poland Regional High School

Cumberland
Morgan Cuthbert, Harrison Middle School, Yarmouth

Franklin
Selina Warren, Kingfield Elementary School

Hancock
Rebecca Tapley, Brooklin Elementary School

Kennebec
Andrew Forster, Messalonskee High School, Oakland

Knox
Beth Heidemann, Cushing Community School

Lincoln
Erika Atkinson, Dresden Elementary School

Oxford
Joseph Cummings, Oxford Hills Middle School

Penobscot
Cherrie MacInnes, Brewer Community School

Sagadahoc
Lawrence Kovacs, Bath Middle School

Somerset
Tamara Ranger, Skowhegan Area Middle School

Waldo
Kristen Kelley, Islesboro Central School

Washington
Jane Andrews, Princeton Elementary

York
Pamela Starkey, Marshwood Great Works School, So. Berwick