In a news release from Education Minnesota, Minnesota Correctional Facility–Faribault educator Adam Kuehnel, who teaches English language arts class and Adult Basic Education was a finalist for Minnesota's Teacher of the Year Award. Also making the list of finalists was 2nd Grade Medford educator, Malia Norton, of Medford Elementary. Just twelve teachers from across the state were named finalists in the 2018 Minnesota Teacher of the Year program. Those twelve were whittled down from 167 Teacher of the Year candidates for this program year.

The selection group will be meeting again on May 5 to conduct individual interviews with each of the 12 finalists and to cast votes for the 2018 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

The 2017 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Corey Bulman of Mound Westonka Public Schools, will announce this year’s honoree at a banquet at the Radisson Blu Mall of America May 6.

The other ten 2018 Minnesota Teacher of the Year finalists (listed alphabetically, with school, district, subject and grade[s] taught) are:

Courtney Bell, North Academy of Arts and Communication, Minneapolis, social studies, grades 9-12
Dani Berry, Epsilon, Intermediate District 287, math, grades 7-12
Scott Glew, Salk Middle School, Elk River, social studies, grade 8
Kelly Holstine, Tokata Learning Center, Shakopee, English, grades 9-12
Alyssa Larsen, Waconia High School, Waconia, human geography and world history, grades 10-12
Tim Leistikow, Fridley High School, Fridley, English, grades 11-12
Shaylee McComb, Weaver Elementary, North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale, music, grades K-5
Renee Swanson, High School for Recording Arts, St. Paul, biology, grades 9-12
Sheena Tisland, Red Wing High School, Red Wing, language arts, grade 9
Gregory Truso, Wilshire Park Elementary, St. Anthony-New Brighton, elementary, grade 2

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