HARRINGTON (AP) – Brittany Ray, who has taught English at Narraguagus High School since 1995, learned at a surprise assembly Friday she has been selected as Maine’s Teacher of the Year.

Ray, of Milbridge, was joined by students and educators at the assembly that was supposed to focus on school reform. Instead, she was honored by Gov. John Baldacci, Education Commissioner Susan Gendron and other officials.

Baldacci called the Milbridge resident an “outstanding role model.” Ray is the first teacher to win the award who is based in Washington County.

Ray is a graduate of Colby College and is currently enrolled in the graduate education program in counselor education at the University of Maine.

This year’s Teacher of the Year finalists were Deborah Bradburn from Coastal Village Elementary School, York; Chris Indorf from Thornton Academy in Saco; and Luci Levesque from Capital Area Technical Center, Augusta.