Kaitlin Young isn’t letting accolades go to her head.
“I feel incredibly honored and humbled to be named the 2018 Maine Teacher of the Year,” says Young, a 2010 UMaine graduate in music education.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to further the discussion about the importance of education for all students, as well as celebrate and share the great work that teachers are doing all over our state every day,” she says.
Young teaches pre-kindergarten through fourth grade general music, as well as choral music to students in grades five through eight in the RSU 68 School District, SeDoMoCha Elementary and Middle schools, in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine.
“I started my career at SeDo eight years ago and I have been fortunate to grow with this district and community,” Young says.
In October, Young was surprised by her students and colleagues at a school assembly in which she was officially named the 2018 Maine Teacher of the Year.
“The announcement assembly was truly a moment that will last in my mind and heart forever,” Young recalls. “It was amazing to share that moment with my family, colleagues, and most importantly students.”
As the Maine Teacher of the Year, Young will travel throughout the state and country collaborating with other educators to support the efforts underway to prepare all students for college, work and civic life.
“I am hopeful that this opportunity will allow me to share stories of many of the incredible music and arts educators across our state and perhaps think differently about the role of arts education in our schools.”
Young, who recently earned her master’s degree in music education from the Hartt School, part of the University of Hartford in Connecticut, credits UMaine with helping shape who she is.
“The University of Maine helped me develop the strong foundational knowledge that prepared me to enter the classroom as an educator and for life beyond college,” Young says.
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