AUGUSTA — Nominations are now open for the 2022 County Teachers of the Year and 2023 Teacher of the Year. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and who inspire the achievement of all students.

"Our educators have continued to inspire, educate and care for their students during dynamic and difficult times," said Commissioner of Education Pender Makin. "We encourage education colleagues, students, and community members to nominate an educator who exemplifies the committed heroes in our classrooms and schools."

Nominations can be made through a nomination form on the Maine Teacher of the Year Website now through Feb. 4 at 5 p.m.

Nominations will be accepted from students, parents, caregivers, community members, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members, and associations/organizations (self-nominations, and nominations from family members are not accepted).

To be considered for the County and Maine Teacher of the Year award, a person must:

Be employed by a Maine public school including PK-12, Career and Technical Education sites and centers, and/or Adult Education Programs

Hold the appropriate professional certification for their position

Be actively teaching students at least 50% of full-time at the time of nomination and during the year of recognition

Have been teaching for a minimum of five years – three of which are in Maine

Remain teaching in the County for which they are selected during year of recognition

Maine’s County and State Teachers of the Year serve as advocates for teachers, students, and public education in Maine. They serve as advisors to the Department of Education and state-level education stakeholders across Maine. Additionally, County and State Teachers of the Year join a cohort of teacher leaders that actively work together for the betterment of education in Maine. They also receive on-going professional learning and participate in many state and county leadership opportunities.

The 2022 County Teachers of the Year will be announced in May. The 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year will be selected from the 16 county honorees. The field will be narrowed to eight semi-finalists, and then three state finalists before the Maine Teacher of the Year is announced by Maine’s Education Commissioner at a school assembly in the fall. Each year, State and County Teachers of the Year are honored at the annual Teacher of the Year Gala also held in the fall.