Proctor Teacher Named Vermont's 2027 Teacher of Year
Rural Vermont families with students at small secondary schools gain a statewide education advocate starting January 1, 2027.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Secondary Education
The Vermont Department of Education has named Linda McCuen, an English teacher and literacy coordinator at Proctor Junior/Senior High School, Vermont's 2027 Teacher of the Year. She will begin serving in the role on January 1, 2027, working with educators and officials to advocate for Vermont students and teachers.
Why it matters
The honor puts a Rutland County classroom leader in a statewide advocacy role for the next year, shaping how Vermont families see and support secondary education. For parents of students at small rural schools, it signals recognition of work that builds community and outdoor learning into the curriculum.
McCuen taught 13 years at Fair Haven Union High School before moving to Proctor, where she has taught 10 years at a school of a little over 100 students across six grade levels. Her tenure as Teacher of the Year begins January 1, 2027.
The players
Vermont Department of Education
The state agency that oversees public K-12 schools and administers the annual Teacher of the Year recognition.
Linda McCuen
An English teacher and literacy coordinator at Proctor Junior/Senior High School who has taught high school English for more than two decades.
The details
McCuen's Service Literature class helped create and install the Storywalk in the Proctor Town Forest, a trail that pairs posted book pages with a walk through the woods. Her students also help maintain trails at Pine Hill Park in Rutland. The projects tie reading and writing to hands-on community service.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: The Department of Education announces McCuen as the 2027 Teacher of the Year.
January 1, 2027: McCuen officially begins her term as Teacher of the Year.
2027: McCuen advocates for Vermont students and teachers throughout the year.
The Home Front
Small rural schools like Proctor Junior/Senior High, with enrollment of a little over 100 students, sit within a statewide pattern of shrinking rural districts that shapes family decisions about where to live. Recognition of individual teachers can influence how families weigh school quality when choosing a home in a rural town.
If your child attends a Vermont secondary school, ask the school whether its literacy and service-learning programs are open to families and community partners. When comparing rural towns, consider how a school's teacher recognition and program offerings fit your household's needs.
The takeaway
Strong teachers in small schools can anchor a whole community, so ask about programs when weighing a move. Keep a list of school contacts and program details on file for each district you consider.
Further reading
For more on how schools shape family life across the state, explore Secondary Education coverage in Vermont.
