The Maine Council for English Language Arts is proud to announce the recipient of the inaugural MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award, Kim Barnes from Caribou Community School. This new award honors outstanding English language arts educators in Maine who demonstrate excellence in teaching, contribute meaningfully to the profession, and show an unwavering commitment to their students and communities. MCELA is an affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English.
The MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award was established to recognize educators who go above and beyond in fostering a love of literacy, engaging students in meaningful learning, and advancing the profession through leadership and advocacy. Barnes exemplifies these qualities through her dedication to student-centered learning, innovative teaching practices, and sustained professional impact.
Barnes, a dedicated grade 8 ELA educator at Caribou Community School, is known for her ability to cultivate reading and writing engagement among her students. She is recognized for her thoughtful curriculum, which encourages critical thinking, creativity, and authentic learning experiences. Barnes has been recognized for her teaching excellence in the past: 1998 Distinguished Educator Award for Discipline, 2003 master’s degree in Educational Leadership, 2009 Plugged-in To Reading Teacher of the Month, 2017 Aroostook Right to Read Literacy Award Recipient and 2019 Aroostook County Teacher of the Year.
Heather Anderson, a teaching colleague at Caribou Community School, wrote the following in her letter of recommendation for the award, “Watching Kim in action-whether with students or colleagues- is inspiring to behold. It often begins with a text to our 8th grade team of ‘I have an idea!’ These texts spark projects that transform our students and our school. Kim’s mind is like a fireball of innovation. She consistently sets goals and sees them through with her determination and focus.”
Barnes’ ideas spread beyond her classroom to the whole school and throughout the community and county. She explains one idea that turned into a collaboration with the Caribou Historical Society:
The inquiry-based project began with an examination of artifacts on loan from the museum. Many of these school artifacts included photographs, uniforms, fashionable clothing, report cards, teacher notes, graduation certificates, yearbooks, and even old PA speakers. As students combed through the items, curiosity was piqued. My favorite part of the research was when students began searching for their parents and grandparents in the vast number of yearbooks. The buzz of the classroom was palpable. Giggles meant engagement and the high-interest activity connected families to school. Since the inquiry was grounded in lessons about writing effective research questions, students generated interview questions about the history of education in Aroostook County. To learn what school was like thirty to fifty years ago and have their questions answered, I assembled a panel of retired educators to visit our school. Acting as moderator, I asked students questions while students noted the responses of the teachers. Our local newspaper covered the story which spread positivity and fostered a sense of community in our region.
Since students had experience listening to podcasts, I thought podcasting would be the perfect way to digitize the exhibit. But I needed help. What tool would be best? Since the inception of MLTI (Maine Learning Technology Initiative), I have collaborated with their tech integrators, inviting them into my classroom to integrate the latest technology tools into classroom instruction. So, I reached out to Jonathan, and he and his team traveled north to “The County” to teach students how to record, upload, edit, and then publish their very own podcasts. Once students had instruction about how to make podcasts, they worked collaboratively and synthesized their learning to create their podcasts. QR codes were linked to the individual podcasts and ultimately placed next to the exhibit items. Now, when patrons visit the Caribou Historical Society, they can listen to the history behind the artifact.
Barnes’s ideas are often invested in creating meaningful learning experiences for her students which is key to celebrating her as an MCELA Teacher of Excellence for 2025.
MCELA will present the MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award at the 2025 MCELA Conference on March 21 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. As part of this honor, Barnes will receive complimentary conference registration, a one-year MCELA membership, and formal recognition during the event. She will also present a workshop at the conference to share an excellent teaching idea.
MCELA is honored to recognize Barnes’ outstanding contributions with the 2025 MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award. Barnes has demonstrated a lifelong passion for literacy education and has made significant contributions to her school and community. Her dedication to literacy education inspires students and educators alike, shaping the future of English language arts instruction in Maine.
For more information about MCELA and the MCELA Teacher of Excellence Award, visit mainecela.org.
The Maine Council for English Language Arts is a professional organization dedicated to supporting literacy and English language arts educators in Maine. Through professional development opportunities, advocacy, and statewide collaboration, MCELA empowers teachers to foster literacy, critical thinking, and a love of learning in students of all backgrounds.
