Minnesota Teacher of the Year

Time, which usually flies, is simply rocketing along this year. I can’t believe it’s been nearly six months since I was selected as the 2007 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Already the process to select the 2008 Minnesota Teacher of the Year has begun. The process begins with a six-week nominated period, during which time Education Minnesota accepts nominations.

Anyone can nominate a candidate, so if you’ve had a teacher that has had an impact on your life or whose teaching you greatly respect, nominating them for Minnesota Teacher of the Year is a wonderful way to send them a special thank you. I was thrilled just to have been nominated last year.

The nomination process is incredibly simple. Just go to the 2008 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Nomination page on the Education Minnesota website, fill out the nomination form, and submit it online. Very easy and elegant.

Nominees must teach pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, hold at least a bachelor’s degree and Minnesota teaching license, have completed at least three full years of teaching by the nomination deadline, and intend to teach the 2008-09 school year. A lot of people assume that the award is for public school teachers only, but that is not the case. Any teacher—publicly or privately employed—who meets the above criteria can be nominated.

The deadline for nominations is November 15, 2007.