UMaine College of Education and Human Development

06/03/2026

Kudos to Kailey Kaestner, one of two 2026 Outstanding Students in Individual and Family Studies from our college. Kailey came to from Middleton, Massachusetts and was an amazing student and member of our community. The Individual and Family Studies concentration is part of our Child Development and Family Relations major, which will soon be renamed Human Development Sciences. Kailey worked as a peer mentor while completing her bachelor's degree. She's headed back to Mass. to start a graduate program this fall to become a licensed mental health clinician. Congrats, Kailey!

Read more: https://umaine.edu/edhd/2026/04/22/kailey-kaestner-outstanding-student-in-individual-and-family-studies/

06/02/2026

Congrats to Cayleigh Fleming, one of two recent graduates to earn our 2026 Outstanding Student in Individual and Family Studies award! The Individual and Family Studies concentration is part of our Child Development and Family Relations major. Originally from Centerville, Massachusetts, Cayleigh did internships in the pediatric unit at a psychiatric hospital and at a child advocacy center. She's planning to move back Mass and pursue a master's degree while working with youth and families.

Read more: https://umaine.edu/edhd/2026/04/22/cayleigh-fleming-outstanding-student-in-individual-and-family-studies/

05/29/2026

One of the highlights of this year's commencement ceremonies was getting to see 10 incredible school leaders celebrate earning their Doctor of Education (Ed.D) degrees. These dedicated and compassionate educators have already changed the world for the better. We're just thrilled that they chose to spend part of their journey with us. Read more: https://umaine.edu/news/2026/05/10-school-leaders-earn-umaine-doctoral-degrees-while-bolstering-schools-and-communities/

05/27/2026

Landyn Hyde is our 2026 Outstanding Student in Early Childhood Education! Originally from Caribou, Maine, Landyn visited when her brother was a student and decided to spend her college years here too. From the Research Learning Experience she did at Hurricane Island as a freshman to the clubs and student groups she joined (Dance, Hip Hop and CHAARG), she has built strong connections and a supportive community and is excited to have her own early childhood classroom soon!

Read more at our website: https://umaine.edu/edhd/2026/04/22/landyn-hyde-outstanding-student-in-early-childhood-education/

05/21/2026

05/21/2026

Katie Braid is a first-year student in the Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program at the University of Maine. Originally from Toronto, Ontario in Canada, Katie was attracted to the MSAT based on the strength of its ties to UMaine's hockey program. She has clinical experience at Husson University, a NCAA Division III program in nearby Bangor. She's also doing heat acclimatization research under the guidance of faculty. After graduation, Katie hopes to work as an athletic trainer with professional or college athletes.

05/20/2026

Congratulations to the alums named 2026 Maine County Teachers of the Year last week!

✅ Hancock County Teacher of the Year Michael Brzezowski, technology teacher and integrator at Pemetic Elementary School in Southwest Harbor | M.Ed. in Secondary Science Education
✅ Penobscot County Teacher of the Year Marcy Soucy, Fairmount Elementary School in Bangor | Bachelor's in Elementary Education
✅ York County Teacher of the Year Allison Mundee, PreK teacher at Harold B. Emery Jr. Memorial School in Limington | Early Childhood Education Certification

Read more: https://umaine.edu/news/2026/05/three-umaine-alums-among-2026-maine-county-teachers-of-the-year/

Maine Teacher of the Year and Maine County Teachers of the Year
Educate Maine
Maine Department of Education
University of Maine
University of Maine System

05/19/2026

Sean McGibbon of Millinocket, Maine is our 2026 Outstanding Student in Secondary Education! Sean graduated with an area of specialization in English and is planning to return to the Katahdin area to teach near where he grew up. Congratulations, Sean! We're so proud of you! Read more at our website: https://umaine.edu/edhd/2026/04/22/sean-mcgibbon-outstanding-student-in-secondary-education/

05/18/2026

Hunter Towne is our Outstanding Student in Elementary Education for 2026! Hunter was also a UMaine Honors College student, her Honors thesis was titled “Supporting ELL Students and Families in Public Libraries as Observed in Cumberland County, Maine.” The great news for us is that she plans to continue her education at in the fall, starting a master’s program in Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction with a concentration in Library and Media Studies! Congratulations, Hunter! Read more: https://umaine.edu/edhd/2026/04/22/hunter-towne-outstanding-student-in-elementary-education/

05/14/2026

As a learner-centered R1 university, our students have numerous opportunities to engage in innovative research. Carly Philbrook, this year's recipient of our Undergraduate Research Award, exemplifies what's possible at . A Secondary Education major with an area of specialization in Mathematics, Philbrook received a summer fellowship from the Center for Undergraduate Research for her project, “Comparison of High School Mathematics Textbooks Analyzing Higher Order Thinking Skills in New England.” The study was presented at the Society for Research in Educational Effectiveness annual meeting in Chicago in October 2025. Carly was also a student in the UMaine Honors College. Her Honors Thesis was “A Novel Approach to Reducing Mathematics Anxiety in Middle School Students.” She graduated with minors in both Spanish and Mathematics. Congratulations, Carly! https://umaine.edu/edhd/2026/04/23/carly-philbrook-outstanding-undergraduate-research-award/