Congratulations to our 2024 Weston L Bonney Education Leadership Award Winner:
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The Weston L. Bonney Education Leadership Award honors an individual, group, organization, or Maine business that demonstrates leadership, commitment, and vision in ensuring that all Maine students have the opportunity to succeed. Each recipient, past and present, embraces and embodies the qualities Wes demonstrated in his abiding support for education.
Laurie Lachance, a pathbreaking college president, economist and champion of career readiness, will be honored with the prestigious Weston L. Bonney Education Leadership Award for 2024. Educate Maine celebrates Laurie Lachance for her achievement in both education and business and for her work making education and career training more equitable. Lachance, the first female president of Thomas College, was also the first woman as Maine’s state economist and first female CEO of the Maine Development Foundation. Among the innovations at Thomas under Lachance’s leadership (2012-2024) are accelerated three-year undergrad programs, online degree programs, and electives to prepare students for the business world.We are proud to recognize the outstanding teachers across Maine who have received awards in recognition of their excellence in support of Maine students.
2024 ACTEM Achieve Award in Technology
(named by Association of Computer Technology Educators)
Terry Dawson, Gorham Middle School
Julie York, South Portland High School
2024 Presidential Award State Finalists
(named by The National Science Foundation on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy)
Math
Deb Larsen-Soderberg, Orono Middle School
Science
Hillary Bellefleur, Leroy Smith Middle School
Marci Train, Long Island Middle School
2024 Adult Education Awards
(named by the Maine Adult Education Association)
Outstanding Administrator
Hannah Bard, Mid-Maine Adult Education
Outstanding Teacher
Maynard Walton, Bangor Adult Education
Outstanding Support Staff
Stephanie Conner, Bangor Adult Education
Outstanding Advisor
Eleanor Chow, Massabesic Adult Education
2024 NAESP Principals of the Year
(named by Maine Principals’ Association)
National Distinguished Principal of the Year
Charlie Swan, Dirigo Elementary School
Assistant Principal of the Year
Rebecca Wright, Ellsworth High School
Principal of the Year
Linda Pease, Medomak Valley High School
2024 Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year
(named by Maine Association of Career and Technical Educators)
CTE Teacher of the Year
Roland Godbout, Region 11- Oxford Hills Technical Center
CTE Director of the Year
Rob Callahan, Lewiston Regional Technical Center
2024 Curriculum Leader of the Year
(named by Maine Curriculum Leaders Association)
Renita Ward-Downer , Brewer School District
2024 Special Education Administrator of the Year
(named by Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities)
Angela Moore, Brewer School Department
2025 Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of the Year
(named by Maine School Management Association)
Assistant Superintendent of the Year
Christine Frost-Bertinet, RSU 14, Windham Raymond Schools
Superintendent of the Year
Howard Tuttle, RSU 12, Sheepscot Valley
Mitchell Institute Higher Education Professional of the Year Award
Al Bean, University of Southern Maine -Retired Athletic Director
2024 County Teachers of the Year
(named by Educate Maine and Maine Department of Education)
Leah Boucher, Farwell Elementary School, Androscoggin
Kelly Morin, Fort Fairfield Middle/High School, Aroostook
Katie Strait, Baxter Academy for Technology and Science, Cumberland
Vickie Lailer, W.G. Mallett School, Franklin
Ryan Lowell, Ellsworth High School, Hancock
Kristel Anuszewski, Windsor Elementary School, Kennebec
Jim Morse, Camden Rockport Middle School, Knox
Becky Hallowell, Wiscasset Elementary School, Lincoln
Liz Ledesma, Mountain Valley Middle School, Oxford
Emilie Throckmorton , Bangor High School , Penobscot
Robyn Rich, Piscataquis Community Secondary School, Piscataquis
Ally Gilbert, Mt Ararat High School, Sagadahoc
Kaley Brown, Skowhegan Area High School, Somerset
Shilo Burnham, East Belfast Elementary School, Waldo
Ashley Cirone , Harrington Elementary School, Washington
Danielle Pelletier, CK Burns, York
2025 Maine Teacher of the Year
(named by Educate Maine and Maine Department of Education)
Becky Hallowell, Wiscasset Elementary School, Lincoln