Education

FARMINGTON, ME  (November 5, 2026)—The Maine Dept. of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education and the University of Maine at Farmington recently hosted more than 150 dedicated school leaders and educators, from Millinocket to Sanford, at their annual Inclusive Education Leadership Symposium on the UMF campus.

According to a recent Franklin Journal article, Mt. Blue Middle School is expanding academic and behavioral support for students, including a new partnership with the University of Maine at Farmington that provides targeted literacy instruction to 30 students as enrollment continues to grow.

According to a recent article in the Franklin Journal Nicole Lesperance, technology integration specialist and training coordinator for Regional School Unit 9, has received the 2026 ACHIEVE Award from the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine, recognizing her leadership in helping teachers use technology to improve classroom…

Tabitha Ryan (2005) majored in Early Childhood Education and Psychology at the University of Maine at Farmington following her passion for helping children and their families. During her studies, Tabitha gravitated towards Melissa Clawson’s philosophy of education and remembers “on day one she said ‘if you’re in…

For UMF graduate Dani Faltraco ’24, who earned her degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English, one of the most meaningful parts of teaching begins long before a student ever gives an assignment, assessment, or piece of feedback. “A realization I’ve…

“Bring your curiosity,” Tyler Brown ’16 tells his students at Mt. Blue High School. As a History teacher, he wants his students to do more than memorize dates and names. He puts them at the center of their own learning, encouraging them to ask “why?” and dig deeper into…

Alicia Bridges ‘25 always knew she wanted to be a teacher. After earning her degree at UMF, in secondary education, she is now in her second year of teaching at Mt. Blue Middle School. Alicia is focused on growing her skills as an educator…

Four Maine educators have been announced as state finalists for 2027 Maine Teacher of the Year by the Maine Dept. of Education including Gina Welch, a Pre-K Teacher at Crescent Park Elementary School and 2000 UMF graduate; Abby McCoy, a Chemistry and Forensic Science Teacher at Lewiston High…

Fallon Smith ‘26 is ready to get to work. She started her first week of school as a Math and STEM teacher at T.W. Kelly Dirigo Middle School, where she is looking forward to putting her classroom experience and education to use with her own students. After years of…

FARMINGTON, ME  (September 2, 2026)—The University of Maine at Farmington has announced that Katherine Yardley, a longtime UMF College of Education, Health and Rehabilitation faculty member, dean and co-provost who has helped lead Farmington’s academic excellence in its teacher preparation programs for 39 years, is retiring effective Sept. 2, 2026.