Teacher of the Year

Harrington Teacher Named 2007 Maine Teacher of the Year

October 13, 2006

Augusta- A Narraguagus High School English teacher, Brittany Ray, has been named the 2007 Maine Teacher of the Year. Governor John Elias Baldacci and Maine Commissioner of Education Susan A. Gendron made the announcement at a surprise assembly at Narraguagus High School, Harrington at 10:00 a.m. Friday morning. Governor Baldacci praised Ms. Ray for her “excellence as a teacher and for being an outstanding role model in her field.”

The ceremony was attended by the 1995 Teacher of the Year, Argy Nestor who spoke about her experience as a Teacher of the Year. Other attendees included School Superintendent, Deborah Stewart; Hannaford representatives, Elizabeth Dallara and Deborah Leighton; School Board Chair, Steve Pagels and other school board members; Senator Kevin Raye; Representative Edward Dugay; other town officials; and members of Ms. Ray’s Family. Ms. Ray and her family live in Milbridge.

Commissioner Gendron stated, “It is truly an honor for all of us to be in the presence of and recognize the gifts of such a talented educator, who exemplifies many of the finest qualities in this, the noblest of all professions – teaching. Maine has some of the finest, most experienced educators in America, and we honor all of Maine’s teachers by recognizing in our Teacher of the Year the qualities of excellence that exist in teachers and schools all over the State.”

Ms. Ray received her Bachelor’s degree in English and minored in Education at Colby College where she was Valedictorian. Her colleagues, including former principal Peter Doak and parents of her students, nominated her for the Maine Teacher of the Year program last January. Subsequently, she underwent scrutiny by a team of educators who spent the day at her school in April. Ms. Ray then compiled a professional portfolio that was scored by another group of educators. She also gave a demonstration, Tuesdays with Morris, that revealed her teaching technique that was also scored. Finally, she and three other State Finalists were interviewed by several former Teachers of the Year who made the final determination.

The annual selection process began with 14 nominees representing all grade levels and schools from every part of the State. The field was then narrowed down to 6 Regional Finalists and further reduced to the four State Finalists, who, in addition to Ms. Ray, are: Deborah Bradburn, an elementary teacher at Coastal Ridge Elementary School in York; Chris Inman, a world history teacher at Thornton Academy in Saco; and Luci Levesque, a Biotechnology teacher at Capital Area Technical Center in Augusta.

Ms. Ray will go on to compete in the selection of National Teacher of the year, which is announced in April 2007, at the White House.

The Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by the State Board of Education and generously funded by Hannaford Supermarkets. Ms. Ray will have many speaking engagements around the State and will represent all Maine teachers at many functions throughout the year.

For additional information, please contact Gail Mazzaro, Maine Department of Education, 624-6743.

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Teacher of the Year