AUGUSTA — Teachers from Rangeley, Oxford and Freeport are among the eight semifinalists for 2022 Teacher of the year, the Maine Department of Education, in partnership with Educate Maine, recently announced. The semifinalists were selected from the 2021 County Teachers of the Year, who were honored in May in a virtual ceremony. The eight are their county’s Teacher of the Year and will continue in the selection process,from which three finalists will be chosen. The 2022 Maine Teacher of the Year will be announced in October. Semifinalists in the Turner Publishing circulation area are:
Michelle Laliberte, Rangeley Lakes Regional School, kindergarten teacher, Franklin County Teacher of the Year. “Michelle Laliberte truly makes learning fun for the kids, teaches teamwork and responsibility to very young kids with regular assigned classroom ‘jobs,’ and involves the students’ families to help ignite the passion for learning both in and outside of the classroom,” parent Kathryn Kay said.
Melissa Guerrette, Oxford Elementary School, grade 5, Oxford County Teacher of the Year, and a 20-year teaching veteran. “Melissa Guerrette is a teacher that creates an impact at all levels: at OES, in MSAD #17, in the greater Oxford Hills Community, and in the state of Maine. She exemplifies what it means to be a reflective practitioner and is generous with her time and knowledge of best practices,” said Heather Manchester, curriculum director, RSU 17/MSAD 17.
Paige Fournier, Freeport Middle School, special education, Cumberland County Teacher of the Year, and a 17-year teaching veteran. “Paige’s influence on our building stretches well beyond the four walls of her classroom. She truly has changed the lives of many kids. She has such a positive impact on our entire school from the life skills classroom,” said Ray Grogan, principal, Freeport Middle School.
Other semifinalists are:
Andrew Kirby, Caribou High School science teacher, Aroostook County Teacher of the Year.
Patti Forster, Camden Hills Regional School, English teacher, Knox County Teacher of the year.
Kelsey Stoyanova, Reeds Brook Middle School English teacher, Penobscot County Teacher of the Year.
Hillary Hoyt, Leroy H. Smith School grade 3 teacher, Waldo County Teacher of the Year.
Christine Goulet, Biddeford Primary School grade 2 teacher, York County Teacher of the Year.
More information about Maine’s Teacher of the Year program, the 2021 County Teachers of the Year, and the 2022 semifinalists can be found on the Maine Teacher of the Year website.
