East End Community School teacher Joshua Chard, recently chosen as the 2023 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year, has now received additional recognition: Chard is among eight County Teachers of the Year named as semifinalists for the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year honor.

“These distinguished educators, who are members of the 2023 County Teacher of the Year cohort, embody the dedication, innovation, and leadership that are hallmarks of Maine's outstanding classroom teachers,” the Maine Teacher of the Year Program said in a press release announcing the selection of Chard and the other teachers in late July. “As representatives of their students, colleagues, and school communities, their selection acknowledges their excellence in teaching and celebrates the collective achievements and commitment of the entire teaching profession in Maine.”

Chard was among 16 teachers – one from each of Maine’s counties – honored at a ceremony at the State Capitol in Augusta May 11 as part of the annual Maine County Teachers of the Year awards. Maine County Teachers of the Year serve as ambassadors for teachers, students, and quality education state-wide throughout the year. Now Chard, a looping teacher at East End School who teaches grades 2 and 3, is one of a select group of those teachers chosen to advance in the Maine Teacher of the Year selection process.

“The district is very proud of Joshua for reaching the next phase of this highly competitive selection process,” said Superintendent Ryan Scallon. “I’m new to this district, but I’m impressed with the teaching excellence at the Portland Public Schools. Joshua’s selection as a semifinalist – and the fact that he joins a number of PPS teachers who previously have been honored by the Maine Teacher of the Year program – is clear evidence of that.”

Other Portland Public Schools teachers recognized in recent years by the Maine Teacher of the Year Program include Casco Bay High School social studies teacher Matt Bernstein, the 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year and the 2022 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year; Cindy Soule, the district's literacy coordinator, who was the 2021 Maine Teacher of the Year and the 2020 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year; Brooke Teller, the district’s STEM coordinator, who was the 2017 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year; Talya Edlund, assistant principal at Lyseth Elementary School, who was the 2016 Maine Teacher of the Year and 2015 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year; and Karen MacDonald, a King Middle School teacher, now retired, who was the 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year.

East End School Principal Boyd Marley said, “Joshua Chard is the teacher any family would want their student to have.  He is kind, smart, and loves to partner with families and students in learning.  The Portland Public Schools has a history of strong teaching and learning and Mr. Chard personifies the best of our educators.”

Chard, who has been an educator for more than three decades, began working for the Portland Public Schools as an educational technician in 1992, at Reiche and the former Jack elementary schools. His first teaching position was in 1996 at Talbot Community School (formerly Riverton Elementary School). He has taught at East End School since it opened in 2006. Chard also serves as the drama director at Deering High School.

Chard said, “This recognition gives me a platform to advocate for and celebrate Portland Schools. It is a credit to all of my amazing colleagues who work every day to make a difference for Maine children. I am especially excited to represent East End Community School and Deering High School during my year of service.” 

The list of eight semifinalists for 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year is as follows:

•          Tanya Perreault, Spruce Mountain Primary School, Livermore, 2023 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year

•          Emily Rosser, Caribou Community School, Caribou, 2023 Aroostook County Teacher of the Year

•          Joshua Chard, East End Community School, Portland, 2023 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year

•          Edith Berger, Miller School, Waldoboro, 2023 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year

•          Lacey Todd, Mountain Valley Middle School, Mexico, 2023 Oxford County Teacher of the Year

•          Katie Flannery, Bloomfield Elementary School, Skowhegan, 2023 Somerset County Teacher of the Year

•          Caitlin Ray, Gladys Weymouth Elementary School, Morrill, 2023 Waldo County Teacher of the Year

•          Colleen Maker, Washington Academy, East Machias, 2023 Washington County Teacher of the Year

Educators in the Maine Teacher of the Year Program are nominated by a member of their community for their exemplary service in education and dedication to their students. They are selected by a distinguished panel of teachers, principals, and business community members from a pool of hundreds of nominees.

In the next phase of the selection process, the semifinalists on July 26 submitted professional portfolios, delivered keynote speeches, and participated in an expert panel discussion on educational equity, teacher leadership, and education policy at the University of Maine, Orono. The state finalists will be announced in September, and the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year will be revealed in October. The 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession, representing Maine in the National Teacher of the Year program.

The Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine through a unique partnership with the Maine Department of Education with support from the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association and the Maine State Board of Education. Funding for the program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River, Geiger, Hannaford, Maine Lottery, Pratt and Whitney, the Silvernail Family, and Unum.

The Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest school district, with approximately 6,500 students, and is also the most diverse. About one-third of the district’s students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken—a total of more than 50 languages. 49.8 percent of the district’s students are white and 50.2 percent are students of color. Approximately half of PPS students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.