Area Educators In Running for Minnesota Teacher of the Year

(KNSI) – Education Minnesota has released the names of 131 candidates for its 59th annual Teacher of the Year award. A dozen work in the region.

Public and private school teachers from Pre-K to 12th grade and Adult Basic Education programs are all eligible. Nominations were made starting last fall from administrators, community members, peers, and students. The list will be winnowed down first to a slate of semifinalists and then finalists.

Candidates are eligible once they officially accept the nomination and complete the required essays and application packet. Semifinalists will need to do a video submission. Finalists are interviewed in-person in St. Paul by the judging panel.

The 12 local candidates are listed below.

– Kristine Bents, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Public Schools
– Joe Schulte, Sartell-St. Stephen School District 748
– James Sinkel Jr., Sartell-St. Stephen School District 748
– Lindsey Trimbo, Sartell-St. Stephen School District 748
– Cris Drais, Sartell-St. Stephen School District 748
– Barbara Eaton, Sartell-St. Stephen School District 748
– Karrie Fredrickson, Sartell-St. Stephen School District 748
– Shannan Houghton, Sartell-St. Stephen School District 748
– Holly Lathe, Sartell-St. Stephen School District 748
– Nikki Perius, Sartell-St. Stephen School District 748
– Kelly Buysse, Sauk Centre Public Schools
– Amy Stedje, Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools

Correction: Sartell’s nine nominees are tied with Anoka-Hennepin School District for 2nd-most in the state. Bloomington has ten.

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