Teacher Who Won $1M Prize Gets Suspended Sentence For Theft

WISCASSET, Maine - A judge has suspended a jail sentence for a Maine teacher who pleaded guilty to shoplifting after winning a $1 million teaching prize.The Bangor Daily News reports state Judge Paul Matthews sentenced Nancie Atwell to a four-month suspended sentence with one year of administrative release for seven counts of misdemeanor theft Friday.
 
Her attorney and friends said Atwell was committed to recovery through medication and therapy.
 
Atwell pleaded guilty to stealing a $14.99 blouse in 2016 in a plea agreement requiring her to stay out of trouble for two years.
 
The 67-year-old Atwell was later charged with shoplifting dog treats, a dog leash, mums and other items in 2017.
 
       Atwell founded the Center for Teaching and Learning in Edgecomb. She won the Varkey Foundation's teaching award in 2015.