Sarah Dallum advances as finalist for MN Teacher of the Year

Valley View Elementary 5th grade teacher Sarah Dallum has advanced as one of 11 finalists for Education Minnesota’s 2024 Minnesota Teacher of the Year program. 

The pool of candidates for Minnesota Teacher of the Year began with 159 teachers from across the state, including eight BPS teachers. Dallum was among the 27 semifinalists named in March. A panel of education, community and business leaders will select the Teacher of the Year winner, who will be announced in May.

Dallum is in her fifth year of teaching in Bloomington. She says fifth grade is her favorite grade to teach because the students are, “eager to find out more about the world and want to change the world.”

“Mrs. Dallum is an incredible teacher. The thing that most inspires me is her fierce belief in her students and what she does is challenges her students and inspires them to believe in themselves and believe that really, they can achieve at the highest levels,” said Valley View Elementary principal Kelly Tennison.

“What a well-deserved honor. Sarah is an incredible instructor. She pours her heart into her students. And because of that, they work hard for her and grow so much in a year,” said Valley View Elementary assistant principal Amanda Tveitbakk.

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.