Two University of Southern Maine graduates are among the 16 educators who were named 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year.
Katherine Race, a fifth grade teacher at Edgecomb Eddy School, was named Lincoln County Teacher of the Year. Race holds a Master of Education in Leadership from USM.
Martha Ladd, a visual arts teacher at Foxcroft Academy, is the Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year. Ladd earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from USM.
Katherine Race
Martha Ladd
The recognition was announced on May 15 at the Maine State House. Of the 16 educators, nine earned degrees or certifications from University of Maine System universities — the state’s largest producer of classroom-ready teachers.
“The Maine Teacher of the Year program provides an important opportunity to recognize the thousands of outstanding teachers statewide, whose dedication, hard work, and selflessness often go unnoticed,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin, who holds two degrees from USM. “The Maine Department of Education looks forward to supporting the 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year throughout their year of recognition and service.”
The County Teachers of the Year will act as ambassadors, advocating for both students and educators statewide. These 16 individuals were among more than 500 educators nominated for the program and then selected by local panels of teachers, principals, business leaders, and community members.
This summer, they will begin the Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process, which will be announced in the fall. Becky Hallowell, 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, and Joshua Chard, 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year, are both graduates of USM.
More information about the 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year can be found on the Maine Department of Education and Educate Maine websites.