FARMINGTON, Maine – Former University of Maine at Farmington men's cross country standout Brett Almasi was recently honored as the Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year.

Each year, Maine County Teachers of the Year are selected from nominations for the Maine Teacher of the Year, with one teacher chosen from each county. This year's cohort of 16 honorees was recently recognized by the Maine Department of Education, in partnership with Educate Maine, at the State Capitol.

All County Teachers of the Year will move forward as nominees for the 2025 Maine Teacher of the Year, which will be announced this fall. The statewide winner will then represent Maine in the National Teacher of the Year selection.

Almasi, a 2003 graduate of the University of Maine at Farmington, has been teaching for 20 years and currently serves as a teacher at Foxcroft Academy. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Education from UMF and later obtained a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of New England.

Almasi left his mark on the UMF cross country record books, helping lead the Beavers to Maine Athletic Conference Championships, earning NAIA Region X Regional All-Star honors, and becoming the first male athlete from Farmington to qualify for the NAIA National Championship.

Almasi remains an avid runner. According to an article by WABI published in April 2023, he has taken up marathon running, having competed in the Boston Marathon, as well as other races across Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Florida.