Louise Tillotson Teaching Fellowship welcomes new cohort of North Country educators

The Louise Tillotson Teaching Fellowship, a program of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, is announcing its 2025 cohort of fellows. Kaden Bailey of Lakeway Elementary School in Littleton, Tabitha Paquette of Colebrook Academy in Colebrook, Laura Read of Lakeway Elementary School in Littleton, and April Wallace of Pittsburg School in Pittsburg are now working to help redesign the Fellowship for greater impact for the future.

Since 2008, more than 50 teachers from across the North Country — from kindergarten through high school — have been honored as Louise Tillotson Teaching Fellows. Last year, the Fellowship was paused for redesign with the goal of deepening its impact on local schools and communities.

The purpose of the Fellowship remains the same today as when it was established by Louise Tillotson in 2006: to celebrate excellence in public school teaching and to retain great teachers in the North Country.

In July, the new fellows came together at the Mountain View Grand Hotel for a two-day retreat with program facilitator Bill Church and Phoebe Backler, senior community partner for the Tillotson Funds at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. The gathering offered a chance to reflect, connect, and imagine new ways to support teachers in the region.

“These fellows bring a deep understanding of the current reality in public schools and what educators need,” said Backler. “They will help us ensure the Fellowship design remains meaningful and relevant.”

One highlight of the retreat was an activity led by one of the fellows called, “What fills your cup?” Fellows reflected on the multiple dimensions to the work of a teacher and what they do to rest, restore, and re-energize.

“I am eager to collaborate with other Coös County teachers to imagine what it looks like when teachers thrive, not just survive,” said April Wallace.

Tabitha Paquette added, “What excites me most [about this fellowship] is the opportunity to collaborate. It thrills me to think about the doors that will open for my fellow educators, myself, and my community through open discussion and creativity.”

Fellows will help shape the Fellowship’s redesign, while also receiving stipends and support for a personal passion project aligned with the Fellowship purpose of retaining great educators and celebrating excellence in education.

Applicants underwent a rigorous selection process, including a written application and two rounds of interviews with a committee of former fellows, local educators and Tillotson Fund staff. To qualify, applicants had to be working as K–12 educators in Coös County or a neighboring community. The final cohort stood out for their creativity, empathy, and willingness to work together to create something entirely new.

“We were thrilled by the caliber of candidates from across the region,” said Church. “There are so many talented people working in education and we are excited to keep growing a community of Louise Tillotson Teaching Fellows.”.

Once the redesign of the Fellowship is complete, more information will be posted online and the next cohort of fellows will be selected in the spring of 2026. Visit tillotsonfund.org for more information.

About the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, New Hampshire’s statewide community foundation, is dedicated to making New Hampshire a more just, sustainable and vibrant community where everyone can thrive. We are the place where generosity meets the dedication and ingenuity of nonprofits and the potential of New Hampshire students. For six decades, thousands of people have entrusted their charitable resources to the Foundation, creating a perpetual source of philanthropic capital and making it possible for the Foundation to award more than $70 million in grants and scholarships every year. For more information, please visit nhcf.org or call 603-225-6641.