The Teacher of the Year candidate field slims to 34 semifinalists

The race has grown tighter for Minnesota Teacher of the Year with the candidate pool whittled down to 34 from an initial group of 115 statewide, according to an Education Minnesota release.

From this pack of 34 — chosen by a selection panel of community leaders — a group of about 10 finalists will be selected. The winner will be named in a May 15 banquet at the Radisson Blu Mall of America in Bloomington.

The program, organized by statewide educators union Education Minnesota, announced the following semifinalists in a release, listed by school or district and the subject areas and grades they teach.

Anoka-Hennepin, Nathan Elliott, Monroe Elementary School, elementary, 5

Anoka-Hennepin, Donna Escobedo, Metro North Adult Basic Education - Blaine Learning Lab, ABE-GED Prep, Adult Basic Education

Delano, Joe Lawrence, Delano High School, language arts, 9-10

Duluth, Michael Emerson, Denfeld High School, career and technical education, 9-12

Elk River, Julie Beaver, Zimmerman Middle/High School, math, 8

Elk River, Erin Rehnblom, Otsego Elementary School, elementary, 1

Best Academy, Minneapolis, Abdul Wright, language arts, 8

Hermantown, Jill Hansen, Hermantown Middle School, science, 6-7

Hiawatha College Prep, Minneapolis, Whitney McKinley, visual art, 5-8

Intermediate School District 287, Pamela Beatty, North Education Center, elementary, 3-5

Minneapolis, Elizabeth Neilson, Heritage Academy, language arts, 6-8

Minnetonka, Melanie DeWitt, Clear Springs Elementary School, elementary, kindergarten

Mounds View, David Wicklund, Pinewood Elementary School, student services assistant, 1-5

New Prague, Sean DuBe, New Prague High School, English, 9-12

Northeast College Prep, Minneapolis, Lauren Craton, elementary, kindergarten

Northfield, Jennifer Lompart, Northfield High School, performing arts/ESL, 9-12

Osseo, Kristin Pengra-Anderson, Edinbrook Elementary School, elementary, 5

Paynesville, Jennifer Wirz, Paynesville Area Elementary School, ASD special education, 1-5

Prior Lake-Savage, Jill Selchow, Five Hawks Elementary School, elementary, 4-5

Roseville, Maria Le, Central Park Elementary School, elementary, 1

Roseville, Cameron Radke, Emmet D. Williams Elementary School, elementary, 5-6

South Washington County, Kaarin Schumacher, Woodbury Senior High School, biology/AP biology, 9-12

St. Paul, Juanita Ortiz, Phalen Lake Hmong Studies Magnet School, ELL/Latino Culture, kindergarten-5

St. Paul, Laura Weghorst, Murray Middle School, special education, 8

St. Paul, Koua Yang, Harding High School, social studies, 9-12

Waconia, Aaron Olson, Waconia High School, vocal music, 9-12

Westonka, Susan Simonson, Mound Westonka High School, business/technology, 9-12

Westonka, Julie Thomas, Grandview Middle School, English/language arts, 7