RSU 34 Assistant Superintendent Jon Doty, a statewide leader in curricular development and boosting Maine’s educator workforce, has been named Maine’s 2026 Assistant Superintendent of the Year.
Doty has worked for more than 25 years in Old Town-based RSU 34, serving as curriculum coordinator and coordinator of gifted and talented services before spending the past four years as assistant superintendent. Through partnerships with local colleges and universities, Doty led the creation of an “Educator Accelerator” program, in which the district hires pre-service educators to address substitute teaching needs in the district, while pairing them with mentor teachers to help them build knowledge and experience. Nearly 90 students have gone through the program, with 9 eventually hired as full-time educators in RSU 34.
These workforce efforts have extended beyond the local district, through hosting one of the sites building Maine’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program, and through advocacy efforts to create additional teacher certification pathways for career changers.
Doty also co-led the district’s efforts to guarantee universal access to STEM programming. With colleagues and donors, the team developed a groundbreaking “STEM Staircase” program, where students from kindergarten through 12th grade are exposed to engineering, robotics and design principles in their classes and after-school programming. The program now has 100 percent participation in many grades.
“I've had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Jon for over two decades, from our start as teachers at Leonard Middle School in 2000 to serving together on the RSU 34 Leadership Team today,” said RSU 34 Superintendent Matthew Cyr. “Jon is truly exceptional—his passion for solving complex educational challenges, particularly in educator recruitment and certification, is matched only by his extraordinary communication skills and unwavering dedication to the profession.”
“Jon Doty is a shining example of the leading role that our school leaders are taking in improving education for Maine children,” said Maine School Superintendents Association Executive Director Eileen King. “Jon is a problem-solver who keeps the best interest of kids at the center of every decision he makes.”
“Jon Doty is dedicated to educational leadership and commitment to mentoring others, both in his district and across the state,” said Maine Curriculum Leaders Association Executive Director Debra McIntyre. “This recognition is a testament to his vision, hard work and impact in the field. Jon’s unwavering dedication to student success and innovative leadership has lasting impact on education across the state.”
"Talented and dedicated educators like Jon Doty make me confident in the present and future of Maine schools. What is so notable about Jon's work is his deep commitment to supporting other educators in achieving similar levels of excellence," said Ezekiel Kimball, the dean of the University of Maine's College of Education and Human Development. "Jon Doty is the sort of educator that other educators aspire to emulate, and his work serves as an exemplary model for effective practice."
Doty currently serves as the president of the Maine Curriculum Leaders Association and was named the 2020 Maine Curriculum Leader of the Year. Doty was presented with the award at the MSSA Annual Meeting on October 22nd at the Augusta Civic Center.