Julia Edwards: 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year

06/17/2026

I keep revisiting these beautiful words. And couldn't agree more!

06/17/2026

Finally!

After quite a few technological hiccups over the last couple of weeks, I am so excited to share this "Monday" post. It features the wisdom of four of my students, all excellent leaders in their own right. I can't wait for you to hear from more of my phenomenal students, because maybe you'll learn as much from them as I get to.
-------------
We are spending the next few weeks taking a look at how music and the arts can foster the crucial "durable skills" as outlined by America Succeeds. This week's focus is LEADERSHIP.

Blake, Liv, Max, Irelyn, and I took a few moments to explore the different modes of leadership within the ensemble and how their development of leadership skills within our ensemble parlayed into leadership opportunities beyond the music classroom.

Some highlights they brought to my attention that I wouldn't otherwise have thought about:
- Leadership has more to do with connecting to people than it has to do with what we possess individually.
- The beauty of a successful ensemble is that everyone is leading in one way or another, and that can look like many different things.
- Enjoying the success of those around you (or, as Irelyn so beautifully put it, to "watch others bloom") is crucial to being a good leader.
- The subjectivity of music and the arts means there are myriad different ways to be "right," and they can look and sound very different. This fosters flexibility, open-mindedness, and tolerance.
- Emotional regulation makes you better prepared to lead others. The arts play a major role in helping us stay regulated!
- Ensemble music is made better by the fact that everyone brings something slightly different to the experience, which encourages the participants to celebrate diversity and synergy.

I learned so much more from these awesome humans, but I guess you'll have to listen to hear it from them!

Educate Maine Maine Art Education Association Maine Music Educators Association Maine Arts Education Maine Arts Education Partners in Leadership Maine Teacher of the Year and Maine County Teachers of the Year Regional School Unit 16 RSU 16 Music

06/12/2026

Community. Nature. Collaboration. Kindness. Creativity. Joy. Compassion. Leadership.

Yesterday was magical. Our PRHS Chorus students were visited by Ms. Harvey's 2nd Graders from ESS to do a "lesson swap." So many amazing things happened, and it's all because of a simple conversation.

A couple weeks ago, I posted about wanting to get my students into nature so they could calibrate their ears to listen better for nuance, and to get them outside because I know how good it is for them. Cue Jessica Harvey, who is a leader of outdoor learning in our district (and a fellow Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year!). She mentioned how her students had been working all year on sound mapping, and that I should try it with the high school students. After chatting for a bit, we realized that it would be really cool if her students could teach mine. Oh! And then, what if my students could then share a music lesson with hers? While it was crazy to think of this so late in the year, we figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

Principals were on board. Central Office and transportation staff (thanks,Mrs. McNally, Mr. Hawley, and Vicki!) found a way to transport the 2nd graders so we could use the trails that Mr. Martin stewarded. Nurses chatted about student medical needs. Mr. Hayashida took my students who needed to finish work, and Mrs. K. pitched in to make sure our 2nd graders' needs were met. All it took was a little communication and a little effort from each person, but they all contributed their little bit, and it resulted in a huge opportunity for our students to grow. That is the magic of community.

We greeted the 2nd graders and paired them up with high schoolers. They quickly developed a bond, trying to find something that they shared in common. After that, we watched connections grow. We saw bravery and kindness and thoughtfulness. We witnessed ownership and pride. And we saw so. Much. Learning.

Ms. Harvey heard 2nd graders saying things like "I made a new friend!" And "I hope someday I get to go to one of their concerts." I overheard from my high schoolers, "My heart is so full!" and "Why don't we do this all the time? I wish we could!"

As our 2nd graders departed, I heard our high schoolers thinking out loud of ways they might reconnect.

What a meaningful way to spend our penultimate day of classes!

Jess, thank you for your innovative practices and masterful teaching. It was inspiring to watch you work with the students and to watch them engage is to witness the direct results of your mindful approach. Let's do this again!

Regional School Unit 16 Educate Maine Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association Maine Teacher of the Year and Maine County Teachers of the Year RSU 16 Music Elm Street School

06/12/2026

Something *wonderful* happened today, but I've had a world of troubles getting Facebook to post my content this week! Going to keep at it, but in the meantime, just know that great things are happening in our schools!

06/09/2026

Monday post will have to go up on Tuesday-- we had a beautiful concert tonight! Enjoy this little slice of what our music students have been working on in RSU16 💜

06/08/2026

Hey friends! I'm gathering thoughts and stories from folks all over regarding the ways music has had a positive impact on their development of the following skills. I'd love to hear your story about any of them!

Leadership: Directing efforts and delivering results
Character: Personal and professional conduct
Collaboration: Teamwork and connection
Communication: Information exchange and management
Creativity: New ideas and novel solutions
Critical Thinking: Informed ideas and effective solutions
Metacognition: Self-understanding and personal management
Mindfulness: Interpersonal and self-awareness
Growth Mindset: Improvement and aspiration
Fortitude: Constitution and inspiration

06/07/2026

Let's talk about powerful partnerships! Proposals now being accepted for breakout presentations at Maine's premier education and workforce event: Symposium 2026! To learn more, go here: https://loom.ly/Dt9bPTs

06/05/2026

Ben has become a wonderful friend throughout this process, and is such an incredible educator and innovator. He finds a way to be funny and grounding at the same time, and I can only imagine how much his students benefit from his work and creativity! 

Ben Johnson, the 2025 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year and a finalist for 2026 Maine State Teacher of the Year, has earned national recognition from the American Classical League for his outsta…

06/05/2026

A little bit sillier than normal today, but something that I think is actually really important, especially as we discuss ways to stave off teacher burnout.

Also, in case anyone *actually* wants to celebrate Free Pencil Day, we will always take them! 😅

06/05/2026

Love these students! They did a phenomenal job, and it was a joy to work with Antonio!