Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year
Lowell teacher Tara Goodhue receives state’s top educator award 
“Congratulations to Dr. Goodhue and all the educators who work wonders in Massachusetts schools every day,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Educators like Dr. Goodhue bring their subjects to life for students, helping them want to learn more about the world around them.”
“As co-chair of the state’s STEM Advisory Council, I’m particularly thrilled to see this recognition go to a science teacher,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Dr. Goodhue’s partnerships with local organizations and her ability to show students the science in their everyday surroundings are a great example of the work happening in Massachusetts schools.”
The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Program is the state’s top award for educators and annually recognizes excellence in teaching through the selection of a teacher who exemplifies the dedication, commitment and positive contributions of educators statewide. Over the coming year, Dr. Goodhue will have speaking opportunities within Massachusetts and will travel to California and Washington, D.C. to meet with teachers of the year from the rest of the nation.
“Tara Goodhue is a great ambassador for Massachusetts,” said Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “Her experience in traditional and career technical schools, her commitment to connecting students to nature, and her willingness to collaborate with and mentor other teachers all speak volumes about our state’s educators.”
“Dr. Goodhue brings her students into nature and shows them how their observations can contribute to scientific understanding,” Commissioner Pedro Martinez said. "She has helped students advocate for recycling, and she has worked with them on citizen science projects that benefit the community. Some of her students have gone on to major in environmental studies. It's a pleasure to recognize her as Teacher of the Year, and it’s also a pleasure to recognize our finalists and semifinalists!”
Dr. Goodhue, who has partnered with groups such as the Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust, Mass Audubon and Harvard Forest, is the first Massachusetts Teacher of the Year to come from the Lowell Public Schools. She is the 64th recipient of this award and automatically becomes Massachusetts’ candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award.
“Dr. Goodhue is a great representative of Lowell Public Schools, and we’re proud to see her recognized,” said Lowell Public Schools Superintendent Liam Skinner. “She is one of the many caring and effective teacher leaders who work with our students and educators every day.”
The selection process for the 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year began in early 2025 with a call for nominations from administrators, teachers, students, parents and others. An initial review of each application led to the selection of eight semifinalists, who then submitted additional supporting material. Four finalists were selected and interviewed by a panel that included prior Massachusetts Teachers of the Year. That panel then recommended two names to Commissioner Martinez, who made the final decision.
“My message to both educators and the public is simple: We must work together as partners to connect students with the natural world and the people who care for it,” Dr. Goodhue said. “I’m committed to finding sustainable ways to connect community members, organizations and schools to make outdoor learning a regular and enriching part of every student’s education.”
For the second year in a row, Wellpoint, a health benefits company based in Woburn, is giving a $10,000 grant to the Teacher of the Year’s school and will give $5,000 grants to the finalists’ schools. In addition to Dr. Goodhue, the finalists for 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year were:
- Sarah Costello: Mrs. Costello teaches first grade teacher at South Row Elementary, part of the Chelmsford Public Schools. She carefully tailors her instruction, incorporates social-emotional learning into her lessons, and creates a welcoming classroom.
- Thomas Simmons: Mr. Simmons teaches middle school English and history/social studies at Mario Umana Academy, a dual-language school that is part of the Boston Public Schools. Mr. Simmons is a lifelong learner who recognizes his students’ strengths and encourages his students to learn from each other.
- Beatriz Thomas: Ms. Thomas is a social studies teacher at Somerville High School. She is a proud alum who has brought her Salvadoran identity and advocacy work into the classroom and has helped implement rigorous and culturally responsive curriculum. Her biggest passion is connecting with students.
“Wellpoint is proud to support the 2026 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year award and celebrate Dr. Goodhue, Ms. Costello, Mr. Simmons, and Ms. Thomas for their remarkable dedication to our students’ education,” said David Morales, general manager of Wellpoint. “We are deeply committed to supporting teachers’ whole health—their well-being, their work in the classroom, and their mission to inspire the next generation. Congratulations to this year’s honorees for the incredible impact they make every day.”
The semifinalists for this year’s award were:
The semifinalists for this year’s award were:
- Amy Adamski, a math teacher at Hampshire Regional High School in Westhampton;
- Michael López, a drama teacher at Lynn English High School, part of the Lynn Public Schools;
- Anderson Manuel, a first grade teacher at General John Nixon School, part of the Sudbury Public Schools; and
- Lisa Yendriga-Norberg, a Middle school history/social studies teacher at Sumner G. Whittier School, part of the Everett Public Schools.
About Tara Goodhue
Dr. Goodhue teaches science at Lowell High School, where she is also head of the science department. She shows her students that nature is all around, even in an urban setting, and she involves them in scientific work through Harvard Forest, Mass Audubon, the National Park Service, and other entities. She is an adjunct faculty member at University of Massachusetts Lowell, a curriculum design and science communication consultant with Fort Hill Consulting in New Hampshire, and a mentor teacher with the Harvard Forest Schoolyard Ecology program. She is also a member of the Lowell “Nature Everywhere” Team with the Children and Nature Network.
Before coming to Lowell High in 2022, she worked at Greater Lowell Technical High School in Tyngsboro for 14 years. Dr. Goodhue holds a Doctor of Education in leadership in schools with a STEM concentration from UMass Lowell; a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction in secondary education, also from UMass Lowell; and a Bachelor of Arts in biology with a minor in music performance from Clark University in Worcester. In 2020, the National Association of Biology Teachers named her Environmental Educator of the Year. When she isn’t teaching science, Dr. Goodhue might be found hiking or knitting.
About Wellpoint
Wellpoint is a health benefits company that has served Group Insurance Commission (GIC) members, retirees, and their families for more than 30 years. Wellpoint provides health benefits exclusively to people insured through the GIC, offering a variety of plan options that provide comprehensive medical benefits. Learn more at wellpointmass.com.
To nominate a public school educator to be the 2027 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, please email educatorrecognition@doe.
Dr. Goodhue teaches science at Lowell High School, where she is also head of the science department. She shows her students that nature is all around, even in an urban setting, and she involves them in scientific work through Harvard Forest, Mass Audubon, the National Park Service, and other entities. She is an adjunct faculty member at University of Massachusetts Lowell, a curriculum design and science communication consultant with Fort Hill Consulting in New Hampshire, and a mentor teacher with the Harvard Forest Schoolyard Ecology program. She is also a member of the Lowell “Nature Everywhere” Team with the Children and Nature Network.
Before coming to Lowell High in 2022, she worked at Greater Lowell Technical High School in Tyngsboro for 14 years. Dr. Goodhue holds a Doctor of Education in leadership in schools with a STEM concentration from UMass Lowell; a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction in secondary education, also from UMass Lowell; and a Bachelor of Arts in biology with a minor in music performance from Clark University in Worcester. In 2020, the National Association of Biology Teachers named her Environmental Educator of the Year. When she isn’t teaching science, Dr. Goodhue might be found hiking or knitting.
About Wellpoint
Wellpoint is a health benefits company that has served Group Insurance Commission (GIC) members, retirees, and their families for more than 30 years. Wellpoint provides health benefits exclusively to people insured through the GIC, offering a variety of plan options that provide comprehensive medical benefits. Learn more at wellpointmass.com.
To nominate a public school educator to be the 2027 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, please email educatorrecognition@doe.
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