Bloomington teacher named semifinalist for MN Teacher of the Year

Valley View Elementary 5th grade teacher Sarah Dallum has been selected as one of 27 semifinalists for Education Minnesota’s 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year program.

Semifinalists were selected from a group of 159 candidates across the state, which included eight BPS teachers. A panel of education, community and business leaders will select a group of 10 finalists and the Teacher of the Year winner will be announced in May.

Dallum is in her fifth year of teaching in Bloomington. During the summer Dallum likes to meet local authors to find new books to introduce to her class in the fall. Dallum has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Master’s degree in education from Augsburg University.

“I was thrilled to tell my past students about being chosen as a semifinalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year because they have cheered me on and pushed me to grow as a teacher,” said Dallum.

Sarah is a phenomenal teacher. Her dedication to centering her students' brilliance, compassion, hopes and dreams is inspiring and has had a lasting impact on our school community," said Valley View Elementary principal Kelly Tennison. "She has cultivated a classroom environment where every student feels valued and empowered to grow and succeed in their academics and as humans."

The Minnesota Teacher of the Year program is organized by Education Minnesota. The program is in its 60th year and is the oldest and most prestigious recognition program to honor excellence in education.