Nominate a Teacher

Recognizing outstanding educators who inspire students and strengthen Maine’s schools.

Thank you to the students, colleagues, families, community members, and Mainers across the state who took the time to recognize an inspiring educator in their community. Your nominations make this program possible.

WHO CAN NOMINATE?

Nominations are accepted from students, parents and guardians, school administrators, colleagues, college faculty members, business leaders, community members, local associations, and others. Self-nominations and nominations from family members are not accepted.

ELIGIBILITY

To be considered for a County or Maine Teacher of the Year award, a nominee must:

• Have a minimum of five years of teaching experience, at least three of which are in Maine.
• Hold the appropriate professional certification for their teaching position.
• Be a certified, in-good-standing PK-12 teacher in a state-accredited public school, including career and technical education centers, adult education centers, public charter schools, or publicly supported secondary schools (private schools enrolling 60% or more publicly funded students, sometimes referred to as “town academies”).
• Be actively teaching students for at least 50% of the workday at the time of nomination and throughout their year of recognition.
• Maintain their teaching position and remain in the county for which they are selected throughout the year of recognition.

CRITERIA FOR TEACHER OF THE YEAR

The Maine Teacher of the Year has the respect and admiration of their colleagues and demonstrates the following:

• Expertise in their field and a commitment to advancing the growth of students of all backgrounds and abilities.
• Collaborative relationships with colleagues, students, and families that create a culture of equity and success.
• A deliberate effort to connect the classroom to the community in ways that deepen student growth and learning.
• A lifelong commitment to learning and leadership, using innovation to create meaningful experiences within and beyond the classroom.
• The ability to communicate in an engaging and clear way, conveying the lived classroom experience to a wide range of audiences.