By Will Tuell

Last Wednesday proved to be an extra special day for the students and staff of Rose M. Gaffney Elementary School in Machias. One of their own, second grade teacher Janis Whitney, attended a ceremony at the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta where she was announced as Washington County Teacher of the Year for 2025. Whitney will go on to compete with fifteen other teachers — one representing each county — to compete for Maine Teacher of the Year honors.