Bailey Edward was nominated anonymously.
Ms. Edward, a 2024 Penobscot County Teacher of the Year nominee, creates a positive classroom environment by ensuring that love and relationship-building are always her top priorities. She spends a lot of time at the beginning of the year getting to know her students. She learns about their interests, how they like to be taught, how they best respond to feedback, how far she can push them, and how they need to be encouraged.
Ms. Edward starts her year with I Am From poems based on George Ella Lyon's "Where I'm From." They analyze the poet's work as well as Ms. Edwards' to see what they can learn about the writer's culture. Students then brainstorm and compose their own I Am From poems. This helps the class get to know each other, but it also allows Ms. Edward to build student confidence right away by giving them lots of praise and positive feedback on their poems, which always come out brilliantly!
Ms. Edward and her students collaborate on contracts where they decide on class guidelines as a team; these apply to both students and her. Throughout the year, they check in on these guidelines and reflect on their progress. Ms. Edward solicits student feedback at least once per quarter so that students have a voice and agency in how they run their classroom. She does assignments with students so they can have models, but they also know that she is in this with them. Ms. Edward also laughs with them a lot.
Ms. Edward is working to help her district update its ELA curriculum, which includes finding more relevant and recent YA literature for students to read. She is dedicated to finding texts that will engage students while also representing their identities and showing them cultures and lived experiences that are different from their own. Ms. Edward gave last year's students a survey about their favorite books, and she is doing her best to read as many of those titles as possible to find new books for the curriculum, both common reads and book groups.
Mrs. Edward had helped me realize that doing the things I need to do is very important, and she has helped boost my motivation in anything I do. She has helped me for 2 years straight to get an understanding about topics, and to enjoy who I am and help me learn that i’m smarter than people say I am.
Mrs Edward is one of the most influential people in my life! I am currently in high school but I still email and visit her often. Mrs. Edward helped me through so many hard times and spelling errors throughout middle school, and without her I don't know where I would be. I am so proud of everything she has accomplished, and all the things she is trying to do!
I loved Mrs. Edward she brought so much joy to my learning and I don’t think there was ever a time that I didn’t like her class. She has such a wonderful personality and way of teaching!I also have never really liked ELA until I had her as a teacher she changed my perspective of English!
Mrs. Edward truly changed my perspective on so many different things in my life, even outside of school. For example, how to conquer all of the challenges that life is going to throw at me and how to make sure that I don’t get behind of myself but also too ahead of myself. Mrs. Edward was one of those teachers that you’re going to remember forever, wishing every single day that you could go back. I took the days that I had in her classroom everyday for granted. She always made me feel welcome, loved, challenged, but most importantly safe. She isn’t just a teacher to many different students, she is also the reason why a lot of them have a smile on their face everyday, including me.
I love Mrs Edward, she is the best. She helped me so much in 7th grade, that was the one year I didn't fail ELA so I think she deserves this more then anything else in the world and she actually loves her job!
Mrs. Edwards is a truly remarkable teacher! Her classroom is always a safe space to be and she always welcomes you with a smile. She makes everyone feel safe and comfortable. Her knowledge is truly incredible and I have a different perspective ( a good perspective) of the world all thanks to her! Not only has she had an impact on my education she also had a tremendous impact on my own life as well. She cares so much about every student and I feel like I can talk to her about anything. She makes the school a better place and I wish her only the best in life!
Mrs. Edward changed my thought of English and how I look at things. Everyone is in support of her and I hope that she gets a lot of appreciation because she deserves it more than anyone. She is kind, smart, and relentless (which is a really good thing) and I wish the best of her.
I write as a retired Professor of Education and a relative of Bailey Edwards. I have spent many hours with her talking about teaching. I have consistently been impressed by her creative ideas for engaging middle school students in reading and writing activities that promise to develop critical thinking and build understanding of themselves and others. She has read more young adult books than anyone I know, which she does to select books that will engage students and get them thinking. She is also knowledgeable about instructional methods for developing literacy skills in students who need extra support, which is my own particular area of expertise. She is a caring teacher, committed to her students’ growth. The comments of parents and former students testify to her success in inspiring students.
Bailey is super smart, thoughtful and kind. She is passionate and courageous but also has a great sense of humor. She is an extraordinary parent, daughter, sister and niece. Its no surprise that she brings these strengths to her role as an educator.
Ms. Edward’s was a wonderful teacher who always provided a comforting and inclusive classroom that really facilitated positive learning. Now as a teacher myself, I look to her as a role model and for guidance on how to be a better teacher. She is truly amazing!!
I am so grateful to have Bailey Edward as a colleague at James F. Doughty School. As our school librarian, I see every day the incredible impact Bailey has on her students’ passion for reading. Bailey is deeply committed to finding literature that is relevant and engaging for her students, and she also is committed to reading their recommendations, which in turn, creates a true reading culture in her classroom. I am constantly inspired by her!
Ms Edward completely changed my life and my perspective on school in 7th grade. She was the best teacher I have ever had and will ever have. Not only was she the only one to spark a love for reading with me, but also made her classroom so welcoming that every single person felt safe walking into her room. I still view her as a mentor and friend!
Bailey is one of the smartest and kindest people I know. She has a passion for children that is unmatched. For me, she is my go-to for book recs that I will love and learn from. How does someone make me want to read required reading from high school again?! I’m so lucky to know her!!!
Bailey Edwards is an amazing educator. She wants the best for her students as well as other teachers.
I am a former colleague of Ms. Edward, having taught at James F Doughty School during the 2022-2023 school year. During that time, Ms. Edward was a leader among teachers, studying the impact of cultural influences on student success and passing that knowledge along to her colleagues. Additionally, I had subbed in her room and found her students to be a cohesive learning community, as she had instilled in them independence, inquiry, respect and routine that was quite obvious. Above that, she is loved by her students, as she provides a safe space to foster nurturing and learning.
Mrs Edwards is a wonderful teacher at JFDS. She supports students academically, and empathizes with them. She has helped students, and she makes a difference in this world, and she has changes their lives.
Mrs. Edward is one of the biggest assets at her school. Every time I pass by her room it feels so safe , warm, and welcoming. Every single student I interact with says that she is kind, fair, supportive, and they never want to miss her class. Her relationships with students are so well prioritized that kids from other grades are able to go to her in times of need regardless of whether or not they are in her class that year. Her selflessness is heard and observed throughout her entire community. She is exceptional in countless ways and deserves any accolades that come her way.
Bailey is an amazing educator, colleague, mom, friend and just person in general. I took a class with her during my undergraduate career and it changed the way I see teaching in a multicultural society. A year later I became her student teacher and I can’t even begin to describe or list the ways she has helped me become the teacher I am and have the confidence to teach in general.
Bailey is world changing! Bailey is always going above and beyond not only for her students but her coworkers as well. She is always looking for the best and innovative ways to support the growing needs of the students. She has traveled to different continents to learn strategies to be the best teacher she can be. There is no one more devoted to her school than Mrs. Edwards.
Bailey goes above and beyond to know her students to help them
Learn and grow. As a school social worker, I worked with her a lot and was able to see firsthand the positive impact she makes with even the hard to reach students. She is deserving of this recognition and her school could greatly benefit from this award to continue the incredible work they do together.
Bailey Edward is such a positive influence in students lives. Students look up to her and seek her out for support and advice. Her positive energy and love of teaching is such a pleasure to witness.
Bailey has been my daughter's teacher and a family friend for years now. She is caring and compassionate and will do whatever she can to help the kids she supports everyday. We just love her positive outlook and attitude. Thank you for all you do and have done for our Lulu!
