The crop of Teacher of the Year candidates has been whitted down to 33, according to Education Minnesota.

The semifinalists hail from across the state - from Minneapolis to Milaca. There are media specialists, band instructors, and special education teachers who made the cut.

A selection panel of 25 community leaders recently chose the semifinalists from an initial field of 128 candidates from across the state.

The panel will meet again in late March to select about 10 finalists from among the group of semifinalists. The current Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Megan Olivia Hall, will announce her successor at a banquet May 4 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington – Minneapolis South in Bloomington.

Here's the list of the 33 semifinalists.