Joshua Chard is a second-grade teacher at East End Community School in Portland, Maine, and the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year. With more than 30 years in education, he creates culturally responsive, arts-integrated learning experiences that center joyful relationships, student voice, and a strong sense of belonging. His classroom blends literacy, math, science, and the arts to make learning active, meaningful, and accessible for all students.
Joshua is also a Maine DOE Arts Integration Teacher Leader Fellow and a theater maker, bringing his passion for storytelling and performance into both his classroom and the broader community. He supports educators across the state through workshops and resources while helping students build confidence, creativity, and connection through the arts.
