The search for teacher of the year in Maine is down to the semis, and Lincoln County’s teacher of the year Erica Atkinson is no longer in contention. The Dresden Elementary School teacher and Dresden resident missed the cut, but said the time she put into it will help her in her work.

“The process has been exciting and incredibly reflective, especially taping a lesson and critiquing it. That is a great practice and my goal is to make sure I do this several times next year to refine my craft further,” Atkinson writes in an email reply to questions from the Wiscasset Newspaper.

Atkinson complimented the company she was in as one of the county teachers of the year.

“(They) are a representation of the passionate, dedicated educators in the State of Maine. There are so many, many wonderful, creative, high-caliber teachers in our beautiful state (and) while I didn't make it to the next round, I am very happy for those who are semi-finalists.” She spent two days with them and would be proud to have any one of them represent Maine, Atkinson writes.

“They, like myself, love what they do, love the kids they get to work with, see their ‘job’ as a calling. You can tell when you talk with them/us, their faces light up as they share about their school, their kids. It is such an honor to be the 2016 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year, and I could not be the teacher that I am without the unwavering support of my family, my colleagues, my community, and the desire to do the very best I can for the learners I am lucky enough to work with.”   

Now it’s on to summer, but not a break from her commitment as an educator. She’s already attended a former student’s play in Winthrop; and between growing her first vegetable garden and trying to get to more of husband Joshua Atkinson’s softball games, she has a lot of learning lined up, including a two-day conference at Colby College and math, writing and other workshops.

Atkinson faces a new adventure on the job next fall, still at Dresden Elementary where the kids are all rock stars, she said. She and two other teachers will teach grades three through five students based on what they’re ready for. “I’m excited for the chance to work with even more kids and to teach new content. I think it’s important to always try to grow and learn, that stagnation is not beneficial to education.”

Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education announced the eight semi-finalists June 23. As listed at www.mainedoenews.net, they are, from Aroostook County, Michael McCartney, Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone; Cumberland County, Morgan Cuthbert, Harrison Middle School in Yarmouth; Franklin County, Selina Warren, Kingfield Elementary School in Kingfield; Hancock County, Rebecca Tapley, Brooklin Elementary School in Brooklin; Kennebec County, Andrew Forster, Messalonskee High School in Oakland; Knox County, Beth Heidemann, Cushing Community School in Cushing; Penobscot County, Cherrie MacInnes, Brewer Community School in Brewer; and Somerset County, Tamara Ranger, Skowhegan Area Middle School in Skowhegan.