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 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year selection panel:
Robbie Burnett
Education Consultant; Community Faculty, Metropolitan State University
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
Duane Dutrieuille
Principal, Hazel Park Preparatory Academy; Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association
Paige Lee
President, Education Minnesota Aspiring Educators, 2024-25
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
Michelle Langenfeld
Minnesota School Boards Association; Anoka-Hennepin School Board
Sarah Lancaster
2022 Minnesota Teacher of the Year
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
Kundan Nepal
Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of St. Thomas
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
Mona Springis-Doss
Board Member, Expedition Credit Union; Special Education Teacher, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan District 196
Joe Thornton
Vice President, Strategic Communications, AIMCLEAR
Amanda Twite
Curriculum Implementation Specialist, Minnesota Office of Higher Education
