Rochester Teacher One of Nine Finalists for Top Award in Minnesota
Century High School Teacher is Finalist for Top Award
Huge virtual shoutout to Natalia Benjamin who teaches at Century High School in Rochester! According to EducationMinnesota.org, she is one of 9 finalists for the 2021 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.
Natalia Benjamin teaches EL and ethnic studies for 9th -12th graders at Century High School in Rochester, Minnesota.
How is the winner decided?
The entire process started with 75 candidates for the title. The number of candidates went from 75 to 9 through a few different steps but ultimately was done by an independent group of 24 people that are leaders in education, business, government, and nonprofits. Later in June, individual interviews will take place with all nine of the finalists, and then votes will be cast to determine the winner. You can learn more about the selection process here.
The 9 Finalists
One of these amazing teachers will be claiming the title of Minnesota Teacher of the Year:
- Layne Bell, Hopkins Public Schools, Hopkins High School – Hopkins Achievement Program alternative program, language arts, 9th-12th.
- Natalia Benjamin, Rochester Public Schools, Century High School, EL and ethnic studies, 9th - 12th.
- Kim Marty–Goblirsch, Medford Public Schools, Medford High School, language arts, 9th-12th.
- Todd Hunter, Anoka-Hennepin School District, Anoka High School, science, 10th-12th.
- Eugenia Popa, Saint Paul Public Schools, Harding Senior High School, ESL, 9th-12th.
- France Roberts, Wayzata Public Schools, Meadow Ridge Elementary School, elementary education, 1st.
- Sandra Stephens, South Washington County Schools, Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion, elementary education, kindergarten.
- Jessica Stewart, Osseo Area Schools, Osseo Senior High School, social studies, 9th-12th.
- Lauren Wheeler, Minneapolis Public Schools, Thomas Edison High School, fitness for life/health, 9th-12th.
Speaking of teachers...
Just a reminder to get those teacher gifts this year. 🍎 They sort of got skipped due to COVID for a bit. One amazing place with lots of items teachers could probably use is Target. I am a teacher's kid and I can tell you for a fact that the gift could be a gift card. It DOES NOT need to be apple-themed. But, Target is a little messy at the moment due to the construction. 😲 Oh...you haven't heard?! Take a look below at the photos to see some of the transformation that is happening as I type this.