A veteran special education teacher at the Skowhegan Area Middle School has been named Maine’s Teacher of the Year by the state Department of Education.

Jennifer Dorman, an English/language arts instructor, was announced the winner at a school assembly Thursday morning. The assembly was called for another reason in order to surprise Dorman with the announcement.

In nominating Dorman, middle school Principal Zachary Longyear said that Dorman is focused on improving students’ academic lives.

“She is intent on building relationships with stakeholders and making them partners in academic success,” he said. “She has an aura of willingness, tirelessness and effortlessness with working with students and staff.”

Last spring, Dorman was named Somerset County Teacher of the Year.

Dorman, of Farmington, has taught at the middle school in Skowhegan since 2009. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Maine at Farmington and a master of education degree with a concentration in special education consultation from Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass.

She has 20 years experience as a teacher and spent a total of 13 years as an elementary special education teacher in MSAD 54 in Skowhegan, Norridgewock and Mercer. The district also includes Canaan, Smithfield and Cornville.


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