AUGUSTA — East Belfast School kindergarten teacher Shilo Burnham is one of eight semifinalists for 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year.
Burnham, who lives in Winterport, was named 2024 Waldo County Teacher of the Year in May. In the next phase of the selection process, the semifinalists will deliver keynote speeches, submit professional portfolios, and participate in an expert panel discussion on educational equity, teacher leadership, and education policy.
State finalists will be announced in September, and the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year will be revealed in October. The 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession and represent Maine in the National Teacher of the Year program.
Competing with Burnham in the next round are county teachers of the year Kristel Anuszewski, Windsor Elementary School, Kennebec County; Ally Gilbert, Mt. Ararat High School, Sagadahoc County; Becky Hallowell, Wiscasset Elementary School, Lincoln County; Ryan Lowell, Ellsworth High School, Hancock County; Danielle Pelletier, CK Burns School, York County; Katie Strait, Baxter Academy for Technology and Science, Cumberland County; and Emilie Throckmorton, Bangor High School, Penobscot County.
“These inspiring educators, members of the 2024 County Teacher of the Year cohort, embody the dedication, innovation, and leadership synonymous with Maine’s exceptional classroom teachers,” the program organizers said in the announcement. “As ambassadors for their students, colleagues, and school communities, their selection acknowledges their excellence in teaching and celebrates the collective achievements and commitment of the entire teaching profession in Maine.”
Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin congratulated the semifinalists, saying in the press release, “I’m so inspired by the extraordinary work you do each and every day on behalf of your students, schools, and communities. Thank you for stepping up to represent Maine teachers as County Teachers of the Year and now as Teacher of the Year Semifinalists.”
Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd added, “Their commitment to student success and innovation in the classroom is truly commendable. We look forward to the next phases of the selection process and the announcement of the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year.”
The rigorous selection process is designed by educators to offer candidates an opportunity to reflect on their instructional practice. Each educator was nominated in January by a member of their community for their commitment to their students and exemplary service in education. They first participated in the county selection process, where a panel of teachers, principals and business community members selected them as a County Teacher of the Year from among hundreds of nominees. In May, they embarked on the state Teacher of the Year process, showcasing their instructional practices through a classroom video and written reflection.
Burnham was nominated for Waldo County Teacher of the Year by teaching colleague Melinda Larrabee, tech integrator for Regional School Unit 71. Larrabee wrote that Burnham “is a phenomenal kindergarten teacher … with an infectious passion for children and education.”
“She ignites the curiosities of her students and encourages empathy for self and others,” Larrabee said. “… She intuitively understands each student’s unique strengths and challenges, tailoring her approach to meet their individual needs. Her impact extends far beyond the academic realm, as she instills invaluable life lessons …. Mrs. Burnham’s dedication, innovation, and genuine care make her an extraordinary teacher whose influence resonates long after her students leave her classroom.”
The Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine through a partnership with the Maine Department of Education with support from the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association and the Maine State Board of Education. Funding for the program is provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River, Geiger, Hannaford, Maine Lottery, the Silvernail Family, and Unum.