On Friday, January 26, Education Minnesota announced that Waconia Public Schools teachers Mark Bullis and Kari Klein are among the 158 candidates for the 2024 MN Teacher of the Year Award.
This year’s program will name the 60th Minnesota Teacher of the Year. The program celebrates the tradition of excellence in teaching in Minnesota. Eligible candidates include pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, Early Childhood Family Education and Adult Basic Education teachers, from public or private schools.
An independent panel of leaders in the fields of education, business, government, nonprofit and philanthropy will read candidates’ portfolios over the next few weeks and narrow the list to a group of semifinalists. In March, the panel will convene again and review additional materials from the semifinalists to choose a group of finalists. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year banquet is set for May 5 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.
Bullis is a mathematics teacher at Waconia Middle School who has taught in the District since 2014. Kari is a Developmental Disabilities Teacher at Waconia High School and has taught in the District since 2012. Both are also involved in district activities as Bullis coaches cross country and track and field, while Klein leads Waconia High School's Unified Sports programs.
Congratulations Mark and Kari!
