Matt Bernstein is a ninth-grade humanities social studies teacher at Casco Bay High School in Portland, Maine. Bernstein earned a Bachelor of Arts in history with a European history concentration from Bowdoin College, where he was also a Bowdoin Teacher-Scholar.

He is the 2022 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year. Bernstein’s pedagogy is centered around student voices and student activism. He believes that the purpose of education is to help students find their way of contributing to a more equitable world. Bernstein is also passionate about creating opportunities for students to experience joy and belonging at school on a daily basis. He believes in cultivating meaningful relationships with students, often through his work as a ninth-grade crew advisor, that are grounded in deep listening and holistic support.

Bernstein has served as a team leader, crew team leader and is currently a professional learning community coach, where he facilitates ongoing professional learning with his colleagues. He is also a Portland Public Schools Social Studies Vertical Content Team member, collaborating with teachers across the district and local experts to develop Wabanaki Studies curriculum.

Bernstein also embraces opportunities to deepen his knowledge and practice. He was recently named a 2022 National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Scholar, participating in a seminar titled “Teaching the Holocaust through Visual Culture.” When he is not teaching, Bernstein is playing or coaching soccer and basketball, reading a book or trying to determine where to find Portland’s best slice of pizza.