Ann Bottoms always wanted to be a teacher. Growing up in rural Vermont, the oldest of eight children, Bottoms played school before she was old enough to attend it. When she was old enough, she attended a four-room schoolhouse in her tiny town of Lunenburg.

Her parents were influential in her life and in her decision to pursue a degree in education. “Both my parents were college educated,” said Bottoms, “and we grew up being excited about learning.” Although the family wasn’t wealthy, her parents encouraged an interest in the arts and Bottoms and her siblings took piano, dance, and art lessons.

One of Bottoms’ favorite memories is her trip to Hartford, Connecticut with her father.

“It’s the first time I had ever seen a big city,” she remembers.

Perhaps it was that exposure that influenced Bottoms to attend Wheelock College in Boston, where she received her degree in early childhood education. She went on to earn her masters in education from the University of New England a few years ago.

Although her career may have begun by teaching younger siblings in an imaginary schoolroom, these days Bottoms no longer has to pretend. Not only is she a second grade teacher at Raymond Elementary School, she is one of six finalists being considered for Maine’s Teacher of the Year.

Norma Richard, principal of Raymond Elementary, said every school in the state is sent an application each January with specific requirements for the nomination process. Richard formed a nominating committee comprised of parent volunteers to help select the school’s candidate.

“We nominated Ann,” said Richard, “not only because she is an outstanding elementary teacher but because it’s a way to celebrate good teaching, the hard work of teachers, and the impact they have on children’s lives.”

In early spring, Richard and Bottoms traveled to the Hall of Flags at the Statehouse in Augusta where each of the ten semifinalists was given a certain amount of space to set up displays that showcased their work. The results of this event narrowed the field to six regional finalists.

The selection team visited Raymond Elementary School during the last week of April where they interviewed teachers, students, and administrators and observed Bottoms teach a lesson to her students. They were also treated to a luncheon and were given tours by some of the students.

In their morning opening, a regular part of the school’s schedule, they celebrated community, said Richard, “focusing on interdependence – relying on each other – and how it extends to the community, state, and world.”

The next step in the process is a trip to Orono. While some teachers may be spending part of the summer preparing lessons for the fall, Bottoms is spending hers preparing lessons for next month. By July 20, she is required to submit a portfolio of work for the selection committee’s review. In addition, she must teach a 25-minute lesson at the University of Maine to committee members and to the University’s education students.

But Bottoms and Richard see the long-term positive results from this extra work and pressure. As a state finalist, Bottoms “becomes part of a cadre of outstanding educators,” said Richard. She went on to say that this experience recognizes and celebrates the qualities of good teachers everywhere.

The experience also opens up opportunities for Bottoms to be a spokesperson for teachers throughout the state. She may also be invited to be a mentor to one of next year’s candidates, a scorer, or a member of the visiting team.

Both Bottoms and Richard expressed their gratitude toward Hannaford Supermarkets, who sponsors the state’s Teacher of the Year program.

“It’s been vital because they’ve picked up the tab for everything,” Richard said.

After the presentation in July, Bottoms must wait until the first week of school to find out the results of all her hard work. This is when the committee will surprise the state winner with the news at his or her school.

But all the pressure doesn’t seem to faze Bottoms. After all, if she gets nervous, she can just pretend she’s back in Vermont, teaching her younger siblings in an imaginary schoolroom.

Ann Bottoms, left, has been named a Maine state finalist for Teacher of the Year. Bottoms, standing next to Raymond Elementary School Principal Norma Richard, teaches second grade at the school.

Copy the Story Link