Maine's Department of Education, in partnership with the nonprofit Educate Maine, announced the 16 County Teachers of the Year for 2025 on May 14, at the Hall of Flags in the State Capitol.

Melissa Goeke, fifth grade teacher at Hope Elementary School, was named for Knox County, while Bridget Wright, English teacher
at Lincoln Academy in Wiscasset represented Lincoln County, and Margaret Campbell, fifth grade teacher at Ames Elementary School, in Belfast, represented Waldo County.

More than 550 teachers across Maine were nominated this year for the Maine Teacher of the Year Program by a member(s) of their school community. A local panel of teachers, principals, and business community members then chose 16 outstanding educators from that pool. These teachers span elementary to high school, range from having taught for seven to 37 years, and specialize in subjects including Choral Music, Robotics, Special Education, German, English, Latin, Global Studies, and Unified Literacy.

Throughout their year of service, the Maine County Teachers of the Year act as ambassadors for teachers, students, and schools. For example, Maine’s 2024 County Teachers of the Year cohort established a survey to assess the mentorship needs of teachers across the state. The 2023 cohort created the "Love Maine Schools" campaign. 

Governor Janet Mills joined Maine DOE Commissioner Pender Makin, Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd, Chair Fern Desjardins of the Maine State Board of Education, and 2025 Maine State Teacher of the Year Becky Hallowell on Wednesday to announce and honor the 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year.

“As the daughter of a long-time public-school teacher, and as someone who raised five children who attended public schools in Maine, I am deeply grateful to the educators throughout our state who make learning a meaningful, engaging experience,” Governor Janet Mills said, in a news release. “These 16 teachers represent every county from Aroostook to York and are paving the way for a well-educated, healthy, and productive citizenry in the State of Maine.”

“Far too often, the hard work of educators in classrooms across our state goes unrecognized and is underappreciated,” Commissioner Pender Makin said. “The Maine Teacher of the Year Program provides an excellent opportunity to elevate the voices of 16 of these dedicated teachers, who will spend their year championing their students, their colleagues, and the education profession as a whole.”

"It is with great pride that we announce the 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year," Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd said. "During their year of recognition, they will serve as advocates for learners and educators across the state, and we look forward to supporting and collaborating with them."

Throughout the summer, the 2025 Maine County Teachers of the Year will continue to participate in the intensive Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process. The 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year will be announced in the fall.

	Androscoggin: Julia Edwards Choral Music Teacher Poland Regional High School, RSU 16
	Aroostook: Laurie Spooner Robotics/Math/Biology/Human Anatomy/Chemistry Teacher Van Buren District School, MSAD 24/RSU 88
	Cumberland: Monica Malcomson Second Grade Teacher Frank I. Brown Elementary School, South Portland School Department
	Franklin: Kylee Alton Special Education Teacher Phillips Elementary School, MSAD 58
	Hancock: Annie Goodwin Kindergarten Teacher Dedham Elementary School, AOS 47
	Kennebec: Deborah Backman German Teacher Cony Middle/High School, Augusta School Department
	Knox: Melissa Goeke Fifth Grade Teacher Hope Elementary School, School Union 69
	Lincoln: Bridget Wright English Teacher Lincoln Academy
	Oxford: Sarah Marshall First Grade Teacher Rumford Elementary School, RSU 10
	Penobscot: Benjamin Johnson Latin Teacher Hampden Academy, RSU 22
	Piscataquis: Brett Almasi Global Studies, American Studies, IB Psychology Teacher Foxcroft Academy, RSU 68
	Sagadahoc: Dawn Lee School Library/Media, Unified Literacy Teacher Morse High School, RSU 1
	Somerset: Karyn Bigelow Second Grade Teacher Bloomfield Elementary School, RSU/MSAD 54
	Waldo: Margaret Campbell Fifth Grade Teacher Ames Elementary School, RSU 71
	Washington: Janis Poulin Whitney Second Grade Teacher Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School, AOS 96
	York: Amanda Blunda Fourth/Fifth Grade Experiential Classroom Teacher Buxton Center Elementary School, MSAD 6

The Maine DOE’s Teacher of the Year Program is administered through a collaborative partnership with Educate Maine. To learn more about the Maine Teacher of the Year Program, click here.