Windham instructor a finalist for Maine State Teacher of the Year

Windham Teacher Adrianne Shetenhelm Named One of Four Maine State Teacher‑of‑the‑Year Finalists

Windham, Maine – In a recent announcement by the Maine Department of Education, English and alternative‑education instructor Adrianne Shetenhelm of Windham High School has been selected as one of four state finalists for the 2027 Maine Teacher‑of‑the‑Year award. The honor recognizes a decade‑long career of innovative instruction and a commitment to supporting students who thrive outside the traditional classroom setting.

Shetenhelm, who has spent 19 years teaching English and 11 of those in the school’s Alternative Programming for Excellence (APE), was chosen alongside peers from Lewiston, Augusta, and Bethel. The finalists are:

• Abigail McCoy – Chemistry and forensic science teacher at Lewiston High School
• Gretchen Livingston – Spanish teacher at Cony Middle and High Schools in Augusta
• Gina Welch – Pre‑K teacher at Crescent Park Elementary in Bethel

The Maine Department of Education will select one teacher from each of the four counties represented and announce the state winner in October.

A Program That Goes Beyond the Classroom

Shetenhelm explained that APE is “neither a special‑education program nor a behavior program”; it is instead a “more personal learning environment” for students who need additional flexibility. The program’s focus is on “self‑paced, individualized learning pathways” that accommodate a wide range of students—including new arrivals, immigrants, homeless youth, and high‑schoolers enrolled in dual‑enrollment college courses.

In the program’s small‑class format, Shetenhelm teaches English to groups that may consist of one or several students, with math and science taught by other APE teachers. The goal, she says, is flexibility: “Students may take one class or several, and we adjust the pace and content to fit their needs.”

She credits the smaller class sizes as her favorite aspect of the program: “It allows me to get to know my students in a way that would not be possible in a larger classroom environment.” The close contact, she notes, fosters a learning environment where students can ask questions and receive individualized feedback.

From Classroom to Community

Beyond the classroom, Shetenhelm has overseen Windham High School’s Extended Learning Opportunities program, which pairs independent study projects with community mentors. One of her students, who was initially unsure of a career path, was connected with a local tattoo artist and has since opened a successful shop in Windham.

She also led the creation of a mock CSI unit in collaboration with local law‑enforcement agencies. In that unit, students reconstruct and solve a crime‑scene scenario, integrating lessons in science, critical thinking, and investigative procedures. Shetenhelm says the interdisciplinary approach has “transformed the way I see teaching.”

Honored and Humble

When the department issued the press release, Shetenhelm wrote, “I am honored to be named a 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year state finalist, and it means the world to share this with the students, staff, and community of Windham High School who make my work possible.”

The award’s prestige, she said, reflects the collective effort of the school community, and she remains focused on providing a supportive, personalized education to every student who walks through the school doors.

About the award

The Maine Teacher‑of‑the‑Year program recognizes exceptional educators across the state each year. Finalists are announced early in the school year, with the state winner chosen in October and honored at the Maine Department of Education’s annual awards ceremony.