11 Finalists Named For 2024 MN Teacher Of Year

ST. PAUL, MN — Eleven teachers were named finalists Tuesday for the 2024 "Minnesota Teacher of the Year" award.

The selection panel — made up of 17 leaders from the fields of education, business, government and nonprofit — will meet May 4 to conduct individual interviews with each finalist and to cast their final votes.

The 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year finalists are:

• Rachel Betterley, North Woods School, St. Louis County Schools, visual arts, 8-12.
• Rebecca Buck, Gideon Pond Elementary, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District, music, K-5.
• Tracy Byrd, Washburn High School, Minneapolis Public Schools, English language arts, 9.
• Susanne Collins, Edgerton Elementary School, Roseville Area Schools, 6.
• Sarah Dallum, Valley View Elementary School, Bloomington Public Schools, 5.
• Marie Hansen, Burnsville High School, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District, AVID/English, 10-11.
• Laura Jensen, Hopkins North Middle School, Hopkins Public Schools, language & literature, 7.
• Jason Jirsa, Washburn High School, Minneapolis Public Schools, social studies, 9-12.
• Michelle Morse-Wendt, Turtle Lake Elementary School, Mounds View Public Schools, 4.
• Jamie Williams, Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented Magnet School, Saint Paul Public Schools, U.S. history, 7.
• Ellen Wu, Alice Smith Elementary, Hopkins Public Schools, kindergarten.

Last year's Teacher of the Year winner, Michael Houston of St. Paul, will announce the 2024 honoree at a banquet at the Saint Paul RiverCentre on May 5.

Learn more about the selection process here.