Nominations are now open for the 2020 County Teachers of the Year award presented to the top teacher in each county across the state of Maine. 

Teachers can be nominated by a student, parent of a student, co-worker, administrator, school or district committee, friend or community member.

Teachers eligible for nomination must have a minimum of five years of teaching experience with three years of those years spent in Maine.

Teachers from public schools or public charter schools, career and technical center, or a publicly supported secondary school (a private school that enrolls 60 percent or more publicly funded students, sometimes referred to as "town academies") are eligible to be nominated. 

To be considered, teachers must hold the appropriate professional certification for their position and be actively teaching students at least 50 percent of full-time. 

The eventual winner serves as an advocate for teachers, students, and the efforts underway in Maine’s public schools to prepare students for success in college, career and civic life.

The 2021 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 ultimate winner is announced by Maine’s Education Commissioner at a surprise school assembly in the fall.

The Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine, a business-led organization whose mission is to champion college, career readiness, and increased education attainment. 

Traits of the Ideal Candidate

• Be exceptionally skilled, dedicated, and knowledgeable

• Inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn

• Have the respect of students, parents, and colleagues

• Play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school

• Be an articulate spokesperson who can communicate the issues and concerns of the classroom teacher to a wide variety of audiences, especially to other teachers

• Possess the energy to withstand a taxing schedule

• Be aware and informed of current educational reform issues

• Be committed to quality education for all students

Criteria for Teacher of the Year

• The teacher has the respect and admiration of their colleagues.

• The teacher is an expert in their field who guides students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence.

• The teacher collaborates with colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture of respect and success.

• The teacher deliberately connects the classroom and key stakeholders to foster a strong community at large.

• The teacher demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom walls that embodies lifelong learning.

• The State Teacher of the Year must be willing and prepared to spend up to 40 days away from the classroom in public speaking and other commitments. (County TOYs may have to spend 3-5 days away.)