8 Semifinalists for Maine’s Teacher of the Year Announced Include Hancock and Penobscot County Teachers

The Maine Department of Education announced on Tuesday, July 2nd the 8 semifinalists for the Maine Teacher of the Year

The 8 semifinalists include

Ryan Lowell - Ellsworth High School - Hancock County

Emilie Throckmorton - Bangor High School - Penobscot County

Kristel Anuszewski - Windsor Elementary Elementary School - Kennebec County

Shilo Burnham - East Belfast School - Waldo County

Ally Gilbert - Mt. Ararat High School - Sagahadoc County

Becky Hallowell - Wiscasett Elementary School - Lincoln County

Danielle Pelletier - CK Burns School - York County

Katie Strait - Baxter Academy for Technology and Science - Cumberland County

Maine's Teacher of the Year Semifinalists were originally nominated in January by a member of their community for their commitment to their students and exemplary service in education. They first participated in the County Selection Process where a panel of teachers, principals and business community members selected them as a County Teacher of the Year. In May, they began the Teacher of the Year process, showcasing their instructional practices through a classroom video and written reflection.

Now the Semifinalists will deliver keynote speeches, submit professional portfolios and participate in an expert panel discussion on educational equity, teacher leadership and education policy. The state finalists will be announced in September and the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year will be announced in October.

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