AUGUSTA — Nominations are now open for the 2016 Maine Teacher of the Year.
Members of the public may nominate teachers who demonstrate a commitment to excellence and nurturing the achievement of all students. Nominations may be made through Friday, Feb. 20 at mainetoy.org. To be considered, a teacher must hold at least a four-year degree and be employed by a Maine public school, or a public charter school or publicly supported secondary school.
The eventual winner of the state’s highest teaching honor, awarded by the Maine Department of Education through a program administered by Educate Maine, 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 2016 Maine Teacher of the Year will be selected from the 16 county honorees, who will be whittled down 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 Teacher of the Year program has no cost to taxpayers. Bangor Savings Bank reimburses the winning teacher’s school district for the cost of substitute teachers while the Teacher of the Year is out of the classroom on official duties, which includes travel throughout the state, a week at NASA Space Camp and a visit to the White House.
For information about the Maine Teacher of the Year program, visit maine.gov/doe/toy/. For information about Educate Maine, visit educatemaine.org.