Local Educator Among Finalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year

(KNSI) — The list of finalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year is down to 33, and a local teacher made the cut.

Joe Schulte of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District teaches technology education at Sartell High School. Schulte was one of nine candidates from that district.

There were 12 in total from the St. Cloud area.

– 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

Education Minnesota released the names of 131 candidates for its 59th annual Teacher of the Year award in January.

The panel will review the semifinalists’ portfolios again and review semifinalist video submissions in mid-March and will select about 10-12 finalists from among the group.

The annual Minnesota Teacher of the Year banquet is scheduled for May 7th at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.

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