Statement from the Minnesota Teacher of the Year program on the conviction of Abdul Wright
For more information, contact:
Minnesota Teacher of the Year program
mntoy@edmn.org
ST. PAUL, Minnesota. Sept. 11, 2025 – The Minnesota Teacher of the Year is chosen annually by an independent panel of volunteer community members. Education Minnesota organizes and underwrites the program, but does not play a role in the selection process or in choosing the recipient. More information on the program and the selection process is available here.
The following statement can be attributed to Dr. Heather Campbell and Jennifer Niemi, co-chairs of the Minnesota Teacher of the Year program.
“The Minnesota Teacher of the Year program unequivocally condemns the actions of Abdul Wright, the 2016 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, who has been convicted of sexually assaulting a student. Our deepest sympathy and care are with the victim, whose courage in coming forward deserves respect and support.
“The Minnesota Teacher of the Year program exists to celebrate the joy, dedication and nobility of the teaching profession. Educators hold a position of profound trust in the lives of their students. Mr. Wright violated that trust in the most damaging way, and his actions are inexcusable.
“The Minnesota Teacher of the Year program remains committed to honoring and uplifting the thousands of educators across our state who serve their students with integrity, compassion and professionalism every day. Mr. Wright’s name will be stricken from our historical records.”
Wright was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2016 by an independent panel of volunteer community members. The crimes he was convicted of occurred after he received the award.
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.
