At a virtual celebration hosted by state education officials on Thursday, May 14, it was announced that Alison Babb-Brott — 2nd grade teacher at St. George School — was the 2020 Knox County Teacher of the Year. This is a tremendous achievement for an educator, marked by countless hours of hard work and an unyielding passion for teaching.  

Those of you who have had the opportunity to see Alison in action will not be surprised by this recognition. Every day, she cultivates joy and connection for her students while also holding them to high academic standards. For those students needing a little extra help, she works tirelessly to meet their individual needs.  

The Maine County Teacher of the Year announcement is held each spring to honor the teachers selected from nominations for Maine Teacher of the Year. The County Teachers of the Year are the finalists for the Maine Teacher of the Year, an honor awarded each year to one teacher in Maine.    This year was particularly challenging as all of the finalists had to find the time to engage in the demanding selection process as well as redefine their own teaching practices due to the Covid crisis.   More than any other year, Alison and her fellow Teacher of the Year colleagues fill an important role. As ambassadors for teachers, students, and quality education in Maine, their public recognition shines a light on the important work happening each and every day — once within the walls of their schools in front of white boards and now seated at work stations with laptops and tablets in their homes. The pandemic and extended school closures have impacted the lives of students in numerous ways and the effects are still unknown.    However, there is no doubt that Alison, her coworkers at St. George School, and teachers across the state are working harder than ever to address the academic and social-emotional needs of their students.   As you read this, teachers across Maine are going above and beyond during this unprecedented crisis. Only a few teachers can be celebrated the way Alison and her County Teacher of the Year colleagues have been, but each and every one of us can take the time to make sure that all teachers feel just as supported and honored.     Adam Bullard is the Instructional Administrator at St. George School.