October 16, 2025 · Julia Edwards, Choral Arts

The new Maine Teacher of the Year is Julia Edwards, a passionate, innovative choral music educator at Bruce Whittier Middle School/Poland Regional High School. Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education announced the award at a surprise ceremony in the high school gymnasium.

"Congratulations to Julia Edwards on earning this well-deserved recognition as 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year!" Pender Makin, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education, said. "Her enthusiasm for music and its ability to serve as a connector across cultures and differences is remarkable, and her gift for extending that love of the arts to her students is admirable. Maine is lucky to have Julia representing and advocating for educators statewide throughout the next year."

In May, Edwards' was named the 2025 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year. In August, she was named one of four state finalists before being selected as the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year.

Edwards earned her Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst, where she studied oboe and served as a teaching fellow for the Children's Chorus of Springfield. She returned home to Bridgton, Maine after graduating college to teach elementary music in North Conway, New Hampshire for two years before accepting her current position in the fall of 2012.

Edwards' leadership experience at Poland Regional High School includes coordinating the "Roundtable" grade-level advisory program and serving as coordinator for the all-virtual learning program during the hybrid school year. As an advocate for professional collaboration, she served on the District Professional Learning Committee, where she proposed and co-created RSU 16's annual district-wide conference. She finds the most joy, however, in working with her students. Edwards believes that all students deserve access to an excellent music education, regardless of their background, identity, or geographical location. Cultural curiosity and musicianship are at the core of her teaching philosophy, and she has worked to create many intercultural and intergenerational experiences for her students and community.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Edwards has served as a guest clinician and manager for district and state festivals in Maine and has presented on pedagogical topics for state, regional, and national conferences. She recently moved into the role of president for the Maine chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, where she is working to expand community singing opportunities throughout the state. As an advocate for cultural curiosity, Edwards has designed a Cultural Context Curriculum, which helps students to develop tools for ethically and enthusiastically exploring the world around them, as well as skills to be better world citizens. She believes music and community are synonymous, and she loves participating in the music community as a listener and performer.

Outside of teaching, Edwards enjoys skiing, cross-stitching, playing concerts with her folk band, Bold Riley, and exploring the Maine outdoors with her husband, two children, and rowdy dog, Baxter.

"Music is at the root of some of the best learning in history," Edwards said. "Try to summon up the elementary lessons that have stuck with you, and you'll often find them attached to rhythm or song. As a community, we find our shared humanity through music. It builds bridges, it spans generations and cultures, and it holds power for positive change,"We are fortunate that, in addition to living in a state filled with stellar educators, we can also celebrate Maine's music programs that serve both their students and communities."

The Teacher of the Year Program is a year-long process that involves educator portfolio and resume submissions, interviews, oral presentations, and classroom visits made by a selection panel comprised of State Board of Education members, school administrators, Maine Department of Education staff, legacy Teachers of the Year, and other Maine business partners. Edwards was nominated for the honor by Bruce Whitter Middle School Principal Shawn Vincent and Shannon Snowman, a parent of a current student.

"I want to offer a huge congratulations to Julia Edwards for being named the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year," said Jason Judd, Ed. D., executive director of Educate Maine. "This recognition honors Julia's innovative practice, her enthusiasm for the work, and her unique connection to her students. In her classroom, Julia demonstrates every day what it truly means to be a teacher of impact."

As the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year, Edwards will spend her year of service advocating for students and teachers and speaking about the importance of education in preparing Maine students for the future. She will also represent Maine in the National Teacher of the Year program.

The Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine, a business-led advocacy organization in partnership with the Maine Department of Education, the Maine State Board of Education, and the Maine County and State Teachers and County of the Year Association (MCSTOYA). Funding for the program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Unum, Hannaford Supermarkets, Geiger, Maine State Lottery, and the Silvernail Family.

< Back To News