The State of Maine is celebrating its newest cohort of County Teachers of the Year. On Friday, May 15, 2026, at the Hall of Flags in the Maine State House, the Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with Educate Maine, announced the 16 teachers, representing every county in the state, who were selected for this honor.

In 2026, hundreds of people from school communities across the state—including students, parents, colleagues, and administrators—nominated more than 500 educators for the Maine Teacher of the Year program. Local panels of teachers, principals, business leaders, and community members then chose these 16 educators from that pool.

According to Maine DOE, in a news release, the members of the 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year cohort represent a wide range of expertise. They work in pre-K through high school classrooms, have been teaching for between seven and 31 years, and specialize in areas such as chemistry, math, English, alternative education, Spanish, visual arts, digital media, and more.

"The Maine County Teachers of the Year act as ambassadors for the teaching profession, advocating for the quality education of all Maine students and elevating the thousands of outstanding educators statewide," said MDOE.

For example, Maine’s 2025 County Teacher of the Year cohort termed the phrase, “Great schools make great communities; great communities make great schools,” to help encourage the reciprocity of community and public education. The 2024 cohort established a survey to assess the mentorship needs of teachers across the state, and the 2023 cohort created the “Love Maine Schools” campaign. 

On Friday, Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin joined Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd, 2026 Maine State Teacher of the Year Julia Edwards, Maine State Board of Education representatives, and others to announce and honor the 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year. Governor Janet Mills also extended her congratulations to the new cohort.

“As the daughter of a long-time public school teacher, and as someone who raised five children who attended public schools in Maine, I know the profound impact that a teacher can have on a child’s life,” said Governor Mills. “These 16 outstanding teachers, one from each county, represent the very best of Maine educators working to prepare students for bright futures here in our state.”

“The Maine Teacher of the Year program provides an important opportunity to recognize the thousands of outstanding teachers statewide, whose dedication, hard work, and selflessness often go unnoticed,” said Commissioner Makin. "The Maine Department of Education looks forward to supporting the 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year throughout their year of recognition and service.”

“We are so proud to announce the 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year,” said Jason Judd, Ed.D., Executive Director of Educate Maine. “These talented educators have an exciting year ahead, during which they will serve as advocates for learners and educators across the state. We look forward to supporting and collaborating with them.”

This summer, the 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year will embark on the intensive Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process. The 2027 Maine State Teacher of the Year will be announced in the fall.

2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year

Androscoggin:
Abigail Reuscher
Chemistry and Forensic Science Teacher
Lewiston High School, Lewiston Public Schools

Aroostook:
Kathy Theriault
Mathematics Teacher
Wisdom Middle/High School, MSAD 33

Cumberland:
Adrianne Shetenhelm
English and Alternative Education Teacher
Windham High School, RSU 14

Franklin:
Casey McMullen
4th Grade Teacher
Phillips Elementary School, MSAD 58

Hancock:
Michael Brzezowski
Technology Integration Teacher
Pemetic Elementary School, MDIRSS – AOS 91

Kennebec:
Gretchen Livingston
Spanish Teacher
Cony Middle and High School, Augusta Schools

Knox:
Judith Masseur
English, Global Studies, and AP Research Teacher
Camden Hills Regional High School, Five Town CSD

Lincoln:
Katherine Race
5th Grade Teacher
Edgecomb Eddy School, AOS 98

Oxford:
Gina Welch
Pre-K Teacher

Crescent Park Elementary School, MSAD 44

Penobscot:
Marcy Soucy
4th and 5th Grade Math and Reading Teacher
Fairmount School, Bangor School Department

Piscataquis:
Martha Ladd
Visual Arts Teacher

Foxcroft Academy, RSU 68

Sagadahoc:
Hilary Martin
English Teacher
Mt. Ararat High School, MSAD 75

Somerset:
Jeremy Bourque
Digital Media Instructor
Somerset Career and Technical Center, MSAD/RSU 54

Waldo:
Rachel Norgang
2nd and 3rd Grade Teacher
Monroe Elementary School, RSU 3

Washington:
Josie James
4th-8th Grade ELA and Social Studies Teacher
Alexander Elementary School, AOS 77

York:
Allison Mundee
Pre-K Teacher
H. B. Emery Jr. Memorial School, MSAD 6

The Maine DOE administers the Maine Teacher of the Year program in collaboration with Educate Maine. To learn more about the Maine Teacher of the Year program, click here.