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It's time once again to celebrate professional excellence as part of the White Bear Lake Area Educators’ Teacher of the Year program. The process begins with nominations from community members, parents, students and colleagues. Please take the time to nominate an exceptional teacher who goes above and beyond and who makes White Bear Lake Area Schools a great place to send our students every day.
Nominations are open until 4 p.m. on Monday, February 9th, 2026.
In alignment with Education Minnesota’s ‘Minnesota Teacher of the Year’ program, nominations will be advanced for WBLAE members who: have a valid Minnesota teaching license; have taught for five years before nomination; and spend at least 50% of their day working directly with students. If you know of an outstanding non-teacher educator who deserves recognition, please consider nominating them for the Lynn Mielke Distinguished Educator Award through the White Bear Lake Area Education Foundation.
Former Teachers of the Year, Nick Marty and Abby Kath, are coordinating this year’s process. Once the nominees are announced, they may choose to advance in the WBLAE Teacher of the Year selection process by submitting their responses to a series of questions regarding teaching and learning. Of those teachers aspiring to represent our district as the 2026-2027 WBLAE Teacher of the Year, six will be chosen as finalists. All nominees and finalists will be honored at a celebration event on Tuesday, April 28, when the White Bear Lake Area Educators’ Teacher of the Year will be announced.
The nomination form is also being included in official White Bear Lake Area Schools district communications, but you are encouraged to share this link with all staff, parents and students who might want to nominate an amazing teacher and member of the White Bear Lake Area Educators.