FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2025
Morse High School Librarian Dawn Lee Named 2025 Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year
BATH, Maine—Morse High School Librarian Dawn Lee has been named the 2025 Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year, an honor that recognizes her extraordinary dedication to student learning, innovative approach to literacy and information access, and outstanding leadership in education across RSU 1.
Lee, who has served as the librarian at Morse High School since 1997, was nominated by colleague John Dever. With 32 years of teaching experience—including the last 29 in service to Morse students—Lee has left an indelible mark on generations of learners. She currently teaches Unified Literacy and manages the school’s library and media resources, ensuring students have access to the tools, support, and opportunities needed to thrive.
In addition to her role as school librarian, Lee is a founding leader of Morse’s innovative Unified Literacy program, a class designed to bring students with and without intellectual disabilities together through reading, art, field trips, and hands-on projects. Created in 2021 alongside special education teacher Jonathan Fisk, Unified Literacy is a cornerstone of the school’s nationally recognized Unified programming. Lee has played a pivotal role in promoting inclusive academic instruction, advocating for expanding Unified classes to other subject areas, and helping launch Maine’s first Unified Conference. The program has grown tremendously including strengthened literacy skills and genuine friendships beyond the classroom. Lee and her colleagues are now working to support schools across Maine in replicating the program’s success. “I can’t think of a better way to build community,” said Lee.
Lee holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Miami University with a concentration in Home Economics and Vocational Education, and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. A nationally recognized educator and published curriculum developer, she brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to equity, literacy, and student advocacy. Her leadership includes serving on the RSU 1 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, chairing a NEASC accreditation subcommittee, and mentoring new teachers. Lee is also the founder of Morse High School’s food pantry, which has supported hundreds of students and families since 2008. She has been awarded multiple prestigious fellowships—including from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Library of Congress—and has received numerous grants to support inclusive programming, curriculum innovation, and community engagement. In recognition of her work, she was named the 2023 Outstanding Woman Community Member by Morse High School’s Women’s Empowerment Club.
The Maine Teacher of the Year program, administered by Educate Maine in partnership with the Maine Department of Education, celebrates outstanding educators who serve as advocates and leaders within their schools and communities. County Teachers of the Year are selected through a rigorous nomination and evaluation process and serve as advisors to the Maine DOE and educational leaders across the state. They also participate in professional learning opportunities and contribute to state-level discussions on the future of education in Maine.
The 16 County Teachers of the Year were announced this week. They will now be considered for the 2026 Maine Teacher of the Year, which the Commissioner of Education will announce in the fall following a selection process involving semi-finalist and finalist rounds.