“It is exciting to begin a year of service elevating the work of teachers and advocating for education in Maine,” Wiscasset Elementary School fourth grade teacher Becky Hallowell told Wiscasset Newspaper May 9, hours after she was named Lincoln County teacher of the year.

“I am honored ... as our county has a deep pool of talented, creative, and caring educators,” she said in an email response to questions. That pool includes 2022’s Lincoln County teacher of the year and fellow WES teacher Trae Stover. Asked what having two honorees in three years says about Wiscasset’s school department, Hallowell said: “I believe Wiscasset has a wealth of educators dedicated to honoring the growth and change of all students. Having two Lincoln County Teachers of the Year in three years is a testament to the incredible work happening at Wiscasset Elementary School. Students are seen, loved, and supported every day by staff who hold one another up as we engage in the rewarding work of education.”

Wiscasset Newspaper asked Wiscasset Superintendent of Schools Kim Andersson the same question. “(This) shows that at Wiscasset Schools, we support, enable, and empower our staff to be innovative and student centered in their teaching. Becky Hallowell is a leader in experiential, place-based learning and we are honored that she is one of the 16 top educators selected out of 630 nominees in the state to serve as an ambassador for excellence in education,” Andersson said.

Andersson was at Thursday’s ceremony in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State Capitol when the 16 honorees were announced. A Maine Department of Education press release noted it was Teacher Appreciation Week, and that Gov. Janet Mills, DOE Commissioner Pender Makin, Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd, State Board of Education Chair Fern Desjardins, current Maine Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard, and Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association Co-President Hillary Bellefeur were part of the ceremony.

Hallowell shared with Wiscasset Newspaper, she started her career in Dresden teaching first grade, taught four years there teaching that and kindergarten, then a year teaching kindergarten at Williams Cone School in Topsham before moving on to “my hometown school,” Whitefield Elementary School, where she taught K-2 and acted as assistant principal.

Her sons attended Whitefield Elementary while she taught there. “I loved knowing my talented colleagues were teaching them. I went to Wiscasset Primary School in 2011 and taught fourth grade for a year before moving back to kindergarten until 2017. I took a kindergarten teaching position at Cushing Community School, but needed to be closer to support my family. I missed the students and staff at Wiscasset Elementary School and was delighted to be hired back as a fourth grade teacher in 2018. I have been teaching fourth grade since then,” Hallowell continued. “Wiscasset is a town with rich historical and natural resources. My favorite teaching days are when the students engage with their natural environment and local history.”

Hallowell was Amanda Pendleton’s kindergarten teacher in the 1996-97 school year at Dresden Elementary School. “I’ll never forget her! She made learning fun and memorable,” Pendleton, of Dresden, recalled Friday for Wiscasset Newspaper. “She used to read us ‘Chica Chica Boom Boom’ and not only taught us the alphabet ... but also ... how to sign the entire alphabet. It was very apparent how much she has always not only loved her job but also had such a knack for teaching young minds.”

Pendleton also recalled Hallowell visiting Dresden’s Bridge Academy library to sell and sing songs from a CD she’d made. “I still have that CD and play it for my kids from time to time. She truly deserves this award. I can only imagine just how many children she has taught and inspired over the years,” Pendleton continued. “I feel lucky to have been a part of her long teaching journey.”

Wiscasset School Committee Chair Jason Putnam said he was not surprised Hallowell got county teacher of the year. “Her skills and enthusiasm for teaching are well known and she truly deserves this honor,” he told Wiscasset Newspaper via email Friday morning. “And she joins another WES teacher, Trae Stover, who was honored with the same distinction two years ago. This illustrates Wiscasset Schools’ determination and ability to educate our students – great teachers make all the difference! Congratulations Becky!"

Each county teacher of the year pick was made by a panel of teachers, principals and business community members from that county, according to Thursday’s  release. It said the teachers will over the next year serve as ambassadors for teachers, students and schools and this summer will “continue to participate in an intensive Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process,” ahead of next fall’s announcement of Maine’s Teacher of the Year.

Gov. Mills commented in the release, “As the daughter of a longtime public school teacher, I have the deepest respect and admiration for the Maine educators who work tirelessly to equip our students with the knowledge and skills they need to have bright futures. I congratulate this year’s County Teacher of the Year honorees for their commitment to excellence in education, and most importantly, for their outstanding work in teaching our children.”

And Commissioner Makin commented, “It’s an honor to celebrate these 16 teachers who were nominated by colleagues, parents, and students for their passion, leadership, dedication, and the tremendous difference they make in the lives of their students and at their schools.”