Eight exceptional Maine educators are state semifinalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year. As members of the 2025 Maine County Teacher of the Year cohort, they embody the dedication, innovation, and leadership in the classroom synonymous with this recognition. These educators serve as ambassadors for their students, colleagues, and school communities, celebrating and elevating the entire teaching profession.
The semifinalists for 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year are:
Julia Edwards
2025 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year
Choral Music Teacher
Poland Regional High School, RSU 16
Monica Malcomson
2025 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year
Second Grade Teacher
Frank I. Brown Elementary School, South Portland School Department
Annie Goodwin
2026 Hancock County Teacher of the Year
Kindergarten Teacher
Dedham Elementary School, AOS 47
Melissa Goeke
2025 Knox County Teacher of the Year
Fifth Grade Teacher
Hope Elementary School, School Union 69
Bridget Wright
2025 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year
English Teacher
Lincoln Academy
Benjamin Johnson
2025 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year
Latin Teacher
Hampden Academy, RSU 22
Dawn Lee
2025 Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year
School Library/Media, Unified Literacy Teacher
Morse High School, RSU 1
Amanda Blunda
2025 York County Teacher of the Year
Fourth/Fifth Grade Experiential Classroom Teacher
Buxton Center Elementary School, MSAD 6
The selection process for the Maine Teacher of the Year Program is rigorous and designed by educators to offer candidates an opportunity to reflect on their teaching practice. In the next phase of the process, the semifinalists will deliver keynote speeches, submit professional portfolios, and participate in an expert panel discussion about educational equity, teacher leadership, and education policy.
“The Maine Teacher of the Year Program provides an essential opportunity to highlight the hard, and often under-recognized, work that Maine educators put into their classrooms every single day,” Pender Makin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, said. “Congratulations to the eight 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year semifinalists on this esteemed and well-earned recognition. Your commitment to your students, communities, and the teaching profession in Maine is commendable.”
“It is an honor to recognize these exemplary educators, whose passion and commitment truly represent the best of Maine’s education community,” Jason Judd, Ed.D., Executive Director of Educate Maine, said. “Their dedication to student success, to innovation in the classroom, and to preparing the next generation of Maine leaders is truly an inspiration. We are excited to work with this cohort in the next phase of the selection process for the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year.”
The state finalists will be announced in September, and the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year will be revealed in October. The 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year will represent Maine in the National Teacher of the Year Program.
The Maine Teacher of the Year Program is administered by Educate Maine through a unique partnership with the Maine Department of Education, with support from the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association (MCSTOYA) and the Maine State Board of Education. Funding for this program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Unum, Geiger, Hannaford Supermarkets, Maine State Lottery, and the Silvernail Family.
