Bonny Eagle Middle School teacher Lisa Tripp not only appreciates the beauty of her home state, but she uses it to teach lessons to her students.

She hopes to inspire others to come to Maine to work as a teacher, educational technician, substitute teacher or help fill one of the many other jobs in the field.

“We’re given the opportunity to take our students outside and share that joy of nature with them,” she said. “We have an opportunity to share with them why Maine is such an incredibly diverse beautiful natural wonder.”

Tripp, the 2023 York County Teacher of the Year, came to the Portland International Jetport Monday to help launch the second year of a marketing effort by the Maine Department of Education and Live + Work in Maine.

The idea is to pitch Maine as a great place to work, particularly in the field of education, which has seen statewide shortages for several years.

Those shortages began before the COVID-19 pandemic, but have since gotten worse, said Maine Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Dan Chuhta.

“It’s really in every corner of our state, there are shortages,” he said. “It’s not just a rural concern. We’re really looking for folks in all corners of the state and in all roles in schools.”

That includes bus drivers.

The campaign features what promoters described as “cheeky” signs at the airport that will greet those coming out of the jetway.

One poster is titled “Leave your toxic relationship” and depicts a fictional text message exchange between “Florida” and someone teaching in Maine.

Florida says: “Was just thinking of you. Your classroom is still open.”

Maine teacher replies: “NOT INTERESTED. Teaching in ME. More community support.”

Nate Wildes, executive director of Live + Work in Maine, said the marketing effort is rolling out the welcome mat to anyone interested in finding out more about what it’s like to live in Maine.

He said a retired teacher from Virginia who happened to be at the airport on Monday asked more about the program.

“This work is not fancy marketing,” he said. “This work is not highfalutin talent attraction work. This work is simply telling the good story of what we have going on in Maine.”