The Maine Department of Education on Thursday named 16 county teachers of the year.
The announcement during a ceremony in the Hall of Flags at the State House was timed to coincide with Teacher Appreciation Week. Governor Janet Mills, Maine Department of Education Commissioner Pender Makin and other education officials attended.
The 16 teachers — one from each county — were chosen from more than 600 teachers nominated by members of their school community chosen by a panel of teachers, principals, and business community members in each county.
They have taught from six years to 39, at elementary, middle, and high schools, in subjects including English Language Arts, science, social studies, library and technology, health, and physical education, according to the Department of Education.
A statewide teacher of the year will be announced in the fall.
Maine 2024 County Teachers of the Year
Androscoggin: Leah Boucher of Farwell Elementary School
Aroostook: Kelly Morin of Fort Fairfield Middle/High School
Cumberland: Katie Strait of Baxter Academy for Technology and Science
Franklin: Vickie Lailer of W.G. Mallett School, Farmington
Hancock: Ryan Lowell of Ellsworth High School
Kennebec: Kristel Anuszewski of Windsor Elementary School
Knox: Jim Morse of Camden-Rockport Middle School
Lincoln: Becky Hallowell of Wiscasset Elementary School
Oxford: Elizabeth Ledesma of Mountain Valley Middle School, Mexico
Penobscot: Emilie Throckmorton of Bangor High School
Piscataquis: Robyn Rich of Piscataquis Community Secondary School
Sagadahoc: Allyson Gilbert of Mt. Ararat High School, Topsham
Somerset: Kaley Brown of Skowhegan Area High School
Waldo: Shilo Burnham of East Belfast School
Washington: Ashley Cirone of Harrington Elementary School
York: Danielle Pelletier of CK Burns School