Use the following link to nominate a teacher: https://educatemaine.wufoo.com/forms/r1j4ry7j09it0gv/

A. Teacher Profile Information - Resume that includes: education, work history, professional development, and community involvement. A sample will be posted.
B. Essays: Respond to 3 of the following 4 prompts.
Guidance for essays: each essay is limited to one (1) page; double-spaced; 1-inch margin; no less than 10 pt. font; Min: 250 words; Max: 500 words.
Required essay:
1) Without using names, describe one of your students and how you helped the student meet or overcome a challenging situation.
And, respond to two of the following essay prompts:
1) Describe two of your strengths as an educator.
2) What are your professional growth goals for the next year?
3) Why did you become a teacher?

C. Confirm contact information
Those who opt-in and submit this information but do not move on in the process receive 5 Contact Hours
(This phase is intended to get a sense of the educator’s
connection to students and to the classroom.)

A. Principal Recommendation letter – upload as PDF on school letterhead
B. School contact information
C. Answer question “Is there anything in this person’s background or professional
practice that indicates that this educator shouldn’t be held as an example of the best
in our state and the nation and should not receive public accolades as an educator and
role model?”
D. A principal nomination = a principal endorsement - but need letter on school
letterhead

County Review Teams review materials (March 15-24) and select County Finalists (no more than 3 per county) March 24, 2021

DEADLINE for County Finalists materials: Wed, April 7, 2021, by 5:00 pm

A. Letters of recommendation (3) from:
1) District (Superintendent, School Board, Director of Curriculum, etc.),
2) Colleague or Student
3) Parent or Community Member
B. Essays: Respond to two of the following four prompts: **Essay guidance: each essay
is limited to one (1) page; double-spaced; 1-inch margin; no less than 10 pt. font; Min:
250 words; Max: 500 words.
1) Describe the structure and organization of your classroom and how it impacts
student learning.
2) How do the ways you monitor student learning inform your instructional
planning?
3) Describe how you contribute to your school's culture of continuous improvement.
4) Explain your impact on your school community.

Those who submit this information but are not selected as the County Teacher of the

Year receive 10 Contact Hours.

In-person, remote, or by phone during the week of April 16, 2021.
Interview County Finalists (in person or remote)
(Note some County Selection Teams choose to not interview)
**Note: County TOYs receive an additional 5 Contact Hours for a total of 15 Contact Hours and an invitation to ECET2.

Dinner and program the evening of May 11th at the Senator Inn.
Time to be announced. (date subject to change)

Announced at State House Hall of Flags Celebration in Augusta.

CTOYs prepare and submit an 8- to 10-minute classroom teaching video
- Date stamped or a video attestation (form supplied)
- Write a one-page reflection paper - highlighting one strength in the video and one thing you would change and why.

State Semi-Finalists selected and notified. No more than 8. (on June 10 or 11)

June 24 or 25, 2021 (tentative date)
Opportunity to network, plan their year of service, professional development - CTOY Cohort
Platform discussion, etc.

Oral Presentations (July 28-29, 2021)
• The purpose of the Oral Presentation is to establish the speaker’s ability to express his/her ideas
with conviction and poise. This provides a “level playing field” for each semi-finalist.
• Presentation: Each semi-finalist will make a formal 7-8-minute presentation on a topic of their
choice
• Expert Panel: teachers will respond to unannounced questions from the audience – Education
Policy, Classroom Practice, Leadership.
• The oral presentations will be scored by members of the State Review Panel.

State Review Panel – Portfolio - REVIEW #2 Part 2 – August 2 - 12, 2021
Scores due August 12, 2021
Portfolio Part 1 (Submitted on July 28 or 29, 2021)
• On the day of the Oral Presentations, each semi-finalist will submit a portfolio with the following
information:
A. Basic Information (Name, address, school and district information, etc.)
B. Demographic Information
C. Professional Associations
D. Resume
E. And response to two questions:
1. Describe a content lesson or unit that defines you as a teacher. How did you engage
all students in the learning and how did that learning influence your students? How
are your beliefs about teaching demonstrated in this lesson? (maximum 750 words)
2. How do you ensure that your students are connected to the world around them?
Describe the ways in which you do this. (maximum 500 words)
Additional Contact Hours: 15 - for a total of 30 contact hours.
• The portfolios will be scored by members of the State Review Panel and combined with the
scores of the Oral Presentations, no more than 3 State Finalists will be selected based on the
combined numerical ratings.

Up to 3.

School Site Visits - Week of September 20, 2021.
• State Finalists are visited at their schools, where State Review Panel members will observe the teachers’ classroom, and interview colleagues, administrators, students, support staff, parents, and local board of education members. A sample agenda will be provided for the school principal for planning purposes.

State Finalists are interviewed by a group consisting of members of the State Review Panel, the
Teacher of the Year program coordinator, legacy Teachers of the Year, and the Commissioner of
Education.
The numerical ratings/scoring from the, interviews and school site visits will be combined. This
information is used to inform the discussion and final selection. The State Review Panel will come to a consensus and put forth one candidate to the Commissioner of Education to be named the 2022 Maine
Teacher of the Year. The Commissioner of Education must approve the final selection.
Contact Hours: 15 additional contact hours awarded (total of 45 for State Finalists)

Announcement of 2022 Maine Teacher of the Year
• Announcement of the 2022 Teacher of the Year should be completed by October 15th to allow time for the completion of the National Teacher of the Year Portfolio.

Finalize and submit electronically the National Teacher of the Year application/portfolio – due by October 29, 2021
• The Maine Teacher of the Year represents Maine in the National Teacher of the Year program. The National Teacher of the Year Program (NTOY) is the oldest and most prestigious honors program to focus public attention on excellence in teaching. The National Teacher leaves the classroom and spends the year as a teacher ambassador, speaking nationally and internationally.
• The MTOY Coordinator will assist the TOY with the national portfolio/application development process, explanation of timelines, and will read and critique the portfolio before it is submitted to NTOY. A mentor from the Maine State Teacher of the Year Association is available to the TOY throughout the process.