BANGOR — The Maine Department of Education has named the top teachers in 15 Maine counties in preparation for the competition that will crown the state’s K-12 educator of the year.

The teachers, selected from a pool of more than 300 applicants, were recognized during a Friday afternoon ceremony in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta.

The teachers, by county, are: ? Aroostook: Michael Mc-Cartney, Maine School of Science and Mathematics, Limestone.

? Androscoggin: Michael Hayashida, Poland Regional High School.

? Cumberland: Morgan Cuthbert, Frank H. Harrison Middle School, Yar mouth.

? Franklin: Selina Warren, Kingfield Elementary School.

? Hancock: Rebecca Tapley, Brooklin School.

? Kennebec: Andrew Forster, Messalonskee High School, Oakland.

? Knox: Beth Heidemann, Cushing Community School.

? Lincoln: Erika Atkinson, Dresden Elementary School.

? Oxford: Joseph Cummings, Oxford Hills Middle School.

? Penobscot: Cherrie MacInnes, Brewer Community School.

? Sagadahoc: Lawrence Kovacs, Bath Middle School.

? Somerset: Tamara Ranger, Skowhegan Area Middle School.

? Waldo: Kristen Kelley, Islesboro Central School.

? Washington: Jane Andrews, Princeton Elementary School.

? York: Pamela Starkey, Marshwood Great Works School, South Berwick.

One of these educators will be named Maine’s 2017 teacher of the year during a surprise assembly at the winning teacher’s school in the fall.

First, teachers will go through an intensive selection process in which they’ll have to create a video showcasing how they teach, their portfolios will be reviewed, and they will be interviewed by members of the selection board.

The Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered by Educate Maine, a business-led group that advocates for education and workforce development.

The only county without a representative is Piscataquis.

Education Department spokeswoman Anne Gabbianelli said the nominees in that county decided not to move forward in the competition.