Longtime Wiscasset teacher Trae Stover said as the new Lincoln County teacher of the year she is “very excited to represent Wiscasset and work with teachers from across the state as well as policy makers over the coming year! It is a huge honor not just for me but for all Maine teachers!” 

“We are so very proud of Ms. Stover’s award. (Wiscasset Elementary School Principal) Kathleen Pastore and (Stover’s colleague) Carol Adams both nominated her. It is the first time ever a teacher from the Wiscasset School Department was nominated! A very well deserved honor!” That was Superintendent of School Terry Wood’s comment to Wiscasset Newspaper on Thursday, May 12 about an hour after Maine Department of Education announced Stover is Lincoln County teacher of the year. Stover and the other county winners are now in the running for Maine teacher of the year, according to MDOE’s press release. The announcement was also being made at the Hall of Flags in Augusta.

Pastore’s March 2 nomination letter noted Stover has been teaching first grade in Wiscasset nearly 35 years. It reads in part: 

“Ms. Stover has consistently displayed the characteristics of an exemplary teacher. During a recent (training), it became evident to me that Ms. Stover’s classroom could be a model for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support.

“She has created a nurturing environment that embraces all learners, provides meaningful and challenging work to meet grade level standards, and keeps the social and emotional well-being of each of her learners at the forefront of all that she does. Ms. Stover is a reflective practitioner who regularly reflects on the effectiveness of lessons, units, and interactions with students, and uses insights gained to improve practice and student learning. In almost every single learning opportunity in her classroom, there is a level of differentiation to further meet the needs of her students and to provide an extension or challenge in addition to support and scaffolds.

“Ms. Stover is an exceptional, innovative teacher who collaborates with both parents and staff to promote student success. It is evident that both she and her students love coming to her classroom every day. Ms. Stover is a lifelong learner who is always looking for ways to improve her teaching and build her cache of learning tools. Even during a pandemic, her ability to engage, excite, and ignite her little learners has been nothing short of a marvel.”

MDOE release: 

“Sixteen Maine teachers were announced as 2022 County Teachers of the Year (May 12) at a ceremony in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State Capitol Building. Governor Janet Mills joined Education Commissioner Pender Makin, Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd, State Board of Education Chair Fern Desjardins, 2022 Maine Teacher of the Year Kelsey Stoyanova, and Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association Co-President Heather Whitaker to announce the new class of County Teachers of the Year.

“As part of the Maine Teacher of the Year Program, hundreds of teachers across Maine are nominated by a member of their school community. Through a rigorous application process, one teacher from each county is selected as a County Teacher of the Year by a panel of teachers, principals, and business community members within the county.

“It is a privilege to congratulate Maine’s 2022 County Teachers of the Year,” said Governor Janet Mills. “As the daughter of a long-time public school teacher, I know how hard each of these teachers works every day to make sure our kids have the best shot at success. I am so grateful for all they do for our students, our communities, and our state, and I promise that my Administration will do all we can to support them.” 

"It's such an honor to celebrate these extraordinary teachers and elevate them as true ambassadors for all Maine teachers and the teaching profession," said Education Commissioner Pender Makin. "These teachers were nominated by students, colleagues, and parents for the difference they make every day in the lives of their students, for their innovation and leadership, and for their commitment to their schools and communities. You are all true heroes, and the Maine Department of Education is so grateful for all you do."

“We are so proud of the 2022 County Teacher of the Year cohort. They are truly remarkable teachers and we look forward to working with them throughout their year of recognition,” said Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd.

Maine County Teachers of the Year serve as ambassadors for teachers, students, and quality education state-wide throughout the year. The Maine County Teachers of the Year are available to make presentations to local and regional organizations. Throughout the summer, they will continue to participate in an intensive Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process. 

The Maine Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year Program is administered through a collaborative partnership with Educate Maine. To learn more about the Teacher of the Year Program visit: https://www.mainetoy.org/. The event was also broadcast live on the Maine Department of Education’s YouTube page.

See Stover and the other honorees at https://mainedoenews.net