Maine Catholic Schools Teacher of the Year announced
On January 31st, Bishop Robert Deeley proudly presented St. John's Catholic School teacher Margaret "Maggie" York with the Maine Catholic Schools Teacher of the Year Award for 2024.
As a student, York attended St. John’s Catholic School from 1st grade to 8th grade before going to Mt. Ararat High School. After earning her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from the University of Maine at Farmington, she came back to St. John’s to teach.
Criteria for Maine Catholic Schools Teacher of the Year includes fostering Catholic identity within the school, creating a positive environment for students, demonstrating academic rigor in the classroom, volunteering for student activities, promoting a climate of parent support and other attributes.
St. John's Catholic School in Brunswick serves 150 students in grades pre-K through 8th grade. It draws students from towns such as Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Durham, Freeport, Georgetown, Harpswell, Lisbon Falls, North Yarmouth and Topsham.
"This year's Maine Catholic Schools Teacher of the year is a beloved teacher at St. John's. She is well known for her dedication to St. John's, her tireless efforts to make school activities fun and engaging for her students, and her strong faith," Bishop Deeley said at an assembly at the school.
"I can't even believe it. Catholic Schools week is so exciting. It's so fun. I love planning it. So, to have something like this happen during Catholic Schools Week - it makes it even more special now," York said.
"I am just so thankful. And again, I work with amazing teachers and there are so many amazing teachers in the diocese and in the state of Maine that it just feels really special that they recognized me specifically," she continued.
"Hundreds, if not thousands, of students and families know and love ‘Maggie Thomas’ and Mrs. York. She is a pilar of our community, from attending weekly Sunday Mass at St. John’s Church on the school campus to taking part in, or organizing, each and every school-wide event, Mrs. York has undoubtedly earned the respect of all the school and parish families in our community," St. John's Catholic School Principal Shelly Wheeler said.
"Mrs. York’s classroom is indescribable. She is routinely changing stations and themes throughout the year, which is guided by student choice. She is calm but firm, and her voice is soothing to even the most anxious or upset youngster. She holds her students accountable for their actions, yet they are all happy and willing to do so in a positive manner. Mrs. York is consistently teaching and working with her pre-K students with kindness and warmth ensuring that the students are both learning while also having a safe, loving, and enriching environment," Principal Wheeler continued.
