Home Press Release 2026 Teacher of the Year nominations open

Nominations open for 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year

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For more information, contact:
DOUG DOOHER
651-245-6141

CHRIS WILLIAMS
651-247-5539

ST. PAUL, Minnesota. Aug. 28, 2025 – Everyone remembers a favorite teacher, someone who motivates and inspires students for a lifetime. Minnesotans have the opportunity again this year to nominate that unique educator for Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Online nominations are open through Saturday, Nov. 1. Minnesotans can nominate a teacher using this link: https://edmn.me/toy 

The 2026 Teacher of the Year will be named at a ceremony May 3, 2026, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year also becomes Minnesota’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year.  

Eligible nominees must meet these criteria:  

  • Teach in a public or nonpublic pre-kindergarten-12th grade school, or in an Adult Basic Education or ECFE program, working at least 50 percent of the time directly with students.  
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree and a current Minnesota teaching license. 
  • Have completed at least five full years of teaching by the nomination deadline. 
  • Intend to teach in Minnesota during the 2026-27 school year.  

Anyone may nominate a teacher. Self-nominations are also accepted.  

For more information, contact the Minnesota Teacher of the Year program at mntoy@edmn.org.  

Organized and underwritten by Education Minnesota, the Minnesota Teacher of the Year program receives support from Education Minnesota ESI, Educators Lifetime Solutions, EFS Advisors, Harvard Club of Minnesota Foundation and Expedition Credit Union.