First round of Minnesota Teacher of the Year candidates named

Education Minnesota has released the names of 123 candidates nominated to be the 2015 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Over the coming weeks, the current pool of candidates will be interviewed by a panel of community leaders and educators. The winner will be named May 3.

Among the teachers making the first cut is Kristin Shanley, a teacher at Bethune Elementary recently profiled in the Star Tribune.

Also nominated is Kelly Tennison, a Roseville High School teacher who's been recognized for her work supporting Karen and African American students there.

Among the districts with multiple candidates are: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, South Washington County and Robbinsdale.

Last year's Minnesota Teacher of the Year was Tom Rademacher, an English teacher at the FAIR school.