More than 550 teachers across Maine were nominated this year for the Maine Teacher of the Year Program by members of their school communities. From that impressive group, a local panel of teachers, principals, and members of the business community selected 16 outstanding educators to represent each of Maine’s counties.
We are thrilled to share that Deb Backman, German teacher at Cony Middle and High School, has been selected as the 2025 Kennebec County Teacher of the Year! We are incredibly fortunate to have Deb on our teaching team. Deb embodies everything we value in exceptional educators: she brings passion to her content, builds meaningful connections with students, and strives to grow both her practice and her school community. Her creativity makes learning German both accessible and inspiring.
Throughout their year of service, the Maine County Teachers of the Year act as ambassadors for teachers, students, and schools across the state. Past cohorts have launched impactful initiatives such as the “Love Maine Schools” campaign and statewide mentorship surveys for educators. This summer, the 2025 cohort, including Deb Backman, will continue through the rigorous Maine State Teacher of the Year selection process. The 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year will be announced in the fall.