Administration
Laurie Cloutier - Principal
Laurie has 20 years of in-depth experience in education that has ranged from being an ed tech to an assistant principal, and is honored to be Lyseth’s principal, starting in the summer of 2025. Her focus is on working together with the Lyseth community to support the academic, social, and emotional growth of every student. She brings a deep commitment to fostering a learning environment where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Laurie joined the Portland Public Schools from New Hampshire, where she completed her seventh year as assistant principal at Northwest Elementary School, fostering a positive school culture and a focus on core curriculum. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal at a middle school in New Hampshire and a special educator/ case manager at Northwest Elementary School, where she began her career in education as an ed tech.
Talya Edlund - Assistant Principal
Talya Edlund has been an educator for more than 22 years. Talya grew up in Chicago and graduated from the University of Michigan. She began her teaching career with the New York City Teaching Fellows in Brooklyn, New York, and completed a master’s degree in education at Brooklyn College.
After moving to Maine, Talya taught second and third grades at Pond Cove School in Cape Elizabeth and then fifth grade at Talbot Community School in Portland. Drawn to instructional leadership, Talya transitioned to a role as math coach – a position she held at Lyseth this past school year. In 2016, Talya was named Maine’s Teacher of the Year, during which time she traveled to Washington, Texas and to Space Camp – building a national network of teacher leaders along the way. She has served on Educate Maine’s Board of Directors and is a trustee with the Portland Symphony Orchestra where she co-chairs the Diversity and Equity Committee.
Talya speaks Spanish and Ukrainian and lives in Cape Elizabeth with her husband – an English professor at SMCC – two children, and a giant sheepdog. She is an enthusiastic runner, reader, and a huge fan of public schools! Talya is thrilled to continue working with the amazing Lyseth community as the assistant principal.