Eleven teachers named Teacher of the Year finalists

Eleven teachers have made the cut as finalists for Minnesota's 2017 Teacher of the Year recognition.

The teachers from around the state, including Minnetonka and Northfield, made the short list out of 132 teachers for the 53^rd Minnesota Teacher of the Year award.

A selection panel comprised of 23 education and community leaders narrowed down the list from 37 finalists to 11. Education Minnesota organizes the annual ceremony and program.

Out of 11 teachers, one lucky teacher will be honored at a banquet at the Radisson Blue Mall of America on May 7. Current winner, Abdul Wright, will announce the name of the winner at the ceremony.

The 2017 finalists for the honor are listed below:

Alison Alowonle, Excelsior Elementary, Minnetonka, elementary, grades 4-5
Corey Bulman, Mound Westonka High School, Mound Westonka, English, grades 9, 11-12
Greta Callahan, Bethune Community School, Minneapolis, elementary, kindergarten

Adrian Davis, Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis, music, grades 9-12

Michael Houston, Harding High School, St. Paul, math, grades 9-12

Scott Noet, Owatonna Junior High, Owatonna, social studies, grade 7

Charity Przepiora, Roseville Area High School, Roseville, language arts, grades 10-12

Teresa Stadem, Richfield College Experience Program, Richfield, English, grades 9-12

Sarah Swan McDonald, Northfield High School, Northfield, social studies, grades 9-12

Ong Xiong, Phalen Lake Hmong Studies Magnet, St. Paul, elementary, kindergarten

Mary Zilge, Cherry View Elementary, Lakeville, vocal music, grades kindergarten-5