Minnesota Teacher of the Year selection panel
The Minnesota Teacher of the Year selection panel is an independent committee representing Minnesota leaders in education, business, nonprofits and government. The panel chooses the Minnesota Teacher of the Year from individuals who are nominated and who then choose to become a candidate.
Here is the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year selection panel:
Collin Beachy
Minnesota School Boards Association; Minneapolis School Board
Tracy Byrd
2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year
Heather Campbell
Chair, Minnesota Teacher of the Year Program; Associate Professor, St. Olaf College
Rachel Coleman
Board Treasurer, Minnesota Parent Teacher Association
Mary Pat Cumming
Principal, The FAIR School; Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals
Mike Dougherty
Director of Communications and Public Engagement, District 6, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Lonnie Hartley
Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist, Medtronic
Nicole Hayes
Community/parent representative; Former Anoka-Hennepin School Board Director
Michael Houston
2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year
James Kellerman
President, Education Minnesota Aspiring Eduators
Tim Lutz
Interim Superintendent, Red Lake School District; Minnesota Association of School Administrators
JB Mayo
Associate professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Minnesota
Megan McKeen
Assistant Director of Public Relations, Mounds View Schools
Kundan Nepal
Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of St. Thomas
Kenny Newby
Principal, Justice Alan Page Elementary School (Maplewood); Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association
Jennifer Niemi
Co-Chair, Minnesota Teacher of the Year Program; Native American Products Buyer, Minnesota Historical Society
Michelle Rinke Koch
President, Minnesota Rural Education Association Board; Menahga Schools Principal
Caitlin Salmon
Student (English Education, St. Olaf College)
Mona Springis-Doss
Board Member, Expedition Credit Union; Special Education Teacher, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan District 196
Amanda Twite
Curriculum Implementation Specialist, Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Linda Wallenberg
2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year
Ellen Wu
2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Finalist
