Governor, Deputy Commissioner of Education Honor Teachers

Teacher of the Year Nominees honored at State House ceremony

March 13, 2009

AUGUSTA - Governor John Baldacci, Deputy Commissioner of Education Angela Faherty, and Ann Weisleder, chair of the State Board of Education honored 14 teachers nominated for 2010 Maine Teacher of the Year at a ceremony Friday, March 13, in the State House Hall of Flags. Nominating committees from their local school administrative units selected the teachers.

"Second only to parents, teachers have the most influence on the achievement of students everywhere," Faherty said. "In Maine we take the opportunity to recognize the exemplary work of teachers and celebrate collectively their dedication, commitment and contributions to our communities through the Teacher of the Year Program."

Faherty noted that she recently attended a session at the Council of Chief State School Officers in Washington, D.C., where Michael Geisen, 2008 National Teacher of the Year gave a teacher's point of view of what all educators should be working toward in our education system.

"Maine's 2009 Teacher of the Year, Gloria Noyes, would make all of us proud by adding her voice on behalf of Maine teachers," Faherty said.

“Maine is lucky to have such wonderful people dedicated to the teaching profession and to our young people,” said Governor Baldacci. “I recognize that you spend vast amounts of time outside of the classroom preparing for the one-on-one time you have with your students. As a parent I thank you for your commitment to Maine youth. You make a difference in the lives of the children and families you work with, and that has a great impact on our State’s future.”

Faherty noted that nominations for Teacher of the Year increased from last year, and called on superintendents, principals, parents and others to do everything they can to recognize the outstanding work of those who inspire, enlighten and change the lives of our children.

Hannaford Supermarkets generously underwrites the cost of the Maine Teacher of the Year program.

The 2010 Maine Teacher of the Year will be the 44th educator to receive the honor. Madeline Linscott of Winthrop, a retired Elementary School teacher and principal, was the first to be named Maine Teacher of the Year in 1966. Gloria Noyes, a fifth-grade teacher at Congin Elementary School in Westbrook, is the 2009 Maine Teacher of the Year.

The nominees will undergo an intensive selection process consisting of a school visit, a professional portfolio review, an oral presentation, and a final interview before the 2010 Maine Teacher of the Year is selected. The selection committee includes past Teachers of the Year, principals, Department of Education staff, members of the Maine Education Association and the business community. The 2010 Maine Teacher of the Year will be announced at a surprise all-school assembly in September.

The 2010 nominees are:

Michele Cochran-Barnes, Princeton Elementary School, Princeton
Thomas Fournier, Lincoln Middle School, Portland
Kevin Grover, D.W. Lunt School, Falmouth
Donetta “Dee” Leighton, Glenburn Elementary School, Glenburn
Kristen Lemay, Congin Elementary School, Westbrook
Rich Meserve, The REAL School, Falmouth/Windham
Greg Scot Mihalik, Nokomis Regional High School, Newport
April Noble, Waterboro Elementary School, East Waterboro
Barbara Noone, Willard School, Sanford
Stewart Palmer, Mt. Ararat High School, Topsham
Jayne Quinn Sawtelle, Fred P. Hall Elementary School, Portland
Barbara Sullivan, Biddeford Middle School, Biddeford
William Thompson, Piscataquis Community High School, Guilford
David Wilkins, Stearns High School, Millinocket

View photos and bios of the nominees

Jennifer Pooler, 624-6638 | David Connerty-Marin, 624-6880

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Governor, Deputy Commissioner of Education Honor Teachers