Minnesota Teacher of the Year selection panel

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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 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year selection panel:

Natalia Benjamin
2021 Minnesota Teacher of the Year

Amanda Bissen
Aspiring Educator, Winona State University

Robbie Burnett
Director for Recruitment and Retention, Minnesota State Mankato at Edina

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

Beth Daniels
Former STEM Content and Education Manager, TPT–Twin Cities PBS

Duane Dutrieuille
Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association – Principal, Hazel Park Preparatory Academy

Jim Ferden
Minnesota Rural Education Association board President, Win-E-Mac District

Lonnie Hartley
Senior marketing and communications specialist, Medtronic

Qorsho Hassan
2020 Minnesota Teacher of the Year

Nicole Hayes
Minnesota School Boards Association, Anoka-Hennepin School District 11

Sarah Lancaster
2022 Minnesota Teacher of the Year

Tim Lutz
Interim Superintendent, Red Lake School District; Minnesota Association of School Administrators

J.B. Mayo
Department of Curriculum and Instruction, associate professor, University of Minnesota

Kundan Nepal
Chair of the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department at the University of St. Thomas

Jennifer Niemi
Co-chair, Minnesota Teacher of the Year Program; Director, Native Studies Center, The College of St. Scholastica

Mona Springis-Doss
Board member, Expedition Credit Union  

Amanda Twite
Curriculum Implementation Specialist, Minnesota Office of Higher Education

Nathan Wright
EMAE President, Minnesota State University Moorhead