LIVERMORE — Spruce Mountain Primary School kindergarten teacher Tanya Perreault said what she enjoys most about her job is building the educational foundation for students and families.

“I love watching students grow socially, emotionally and academically in one year,” the 2023 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year said. “I strive to make students and families feel more comfortable about coming to school.

“What I enjoy least about teaching kindergarten is that I worry that my students will never remember me and the impact I have made on them,” she said.

Perreault attended Plymouth State University and the University of Maine at Augusta, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2010. Her 26-year career includes 13 years as a kindergarten teacher.

She worked at Dirigo Elementary School when it was in Dixfield, Rumford and Meroby elementary schools, in Rumford and Mexico respectively, and Jay Elementary School.

“My teaching experience began as a day care director and preschool teacher at Klassy Kids in Dixfield,” Perreault said.

She was nominated for the award by Principal Michael Glynn and was presented with it May 11 in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta.

“Exceptional teachers all possess the same three qualities: relationship building, high expectations, and consistency,” Glynn wrote. Perreault “has cultivated a strong relationship that starts and ends with kindness.” She “takes the time to get to know each and every student and makes it a point to reach out to families in order to fill in any missing relevant information.”

What separates her “from any other educator is how she responds in the hardest moments,” the principal wrote. “She embraces their wounded hearts and offers grace and compassion.”

Perriault said she is honored to be selected and gives credit to Glynn, fellow teachers and support staff.

“I work in a building that goes above and beyond for our students,” she said. “We are led by an amazing principal, teachers that know and love each student, and support staff that is willing to do whatever it takes to make our school run successfully. We are a small, rural school in Maine, and I am extremely proud to work here and in Androscoggin County.”

The selection process for Maine Teacher of the Year includes four essays, three letters of recommendation and a virtual interview with a panel of past and current county Teachers of the Year, other educators, and community leaders.

Those who make it through the next round must develop a platform for the next phase.

“I have given a lot of thought to what platform I am the most passionate about,” Perreault said. “I want to focus on behavior and how it is affecting the education of all students and the profession as a whole. We need to educate the whole child and give them the support they need to be successful in all aspects of learning. We cannot cut behavioral support in school. We need early intervention and full-time pre-K for all students.”

The primary school offers a successful transitional kindergarten program that helps acclimate students to school without the academic pressures of traditional kindergarten, Perreault said. “Lastly, the teaching staff needs support and understanding for what we do daily to educate our students.”

Perreault said she would also like to change the perception of her profession.

“Teaching is the most rewarding, meaningful and exciting job,” she said. “I hope to share my passion for teaching with others who are thinking about this profession. We need more excited professionals to enter teaching.”

Perreault and her husband, Aaron Perreault, live in Dixfield. Their daughters Ashley, Alexa and Alyvia attend Maine colleges.

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