Pillager teacher moves to next round for Minnesota Teacher of the Year

Pillager Public School biology and forestry teacher Karl Kaufmann is the only Brainerd area educator to move on to the next round for this year’s Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Kaufmann is one of 39 semifinalists. A selection panel of 25 community leaders chose the semifinalists from an initial field of 135 candidates from across the state.

The panel will meet again in late March to select about 10 finalists. The current Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Jackie Roehl of Edina, will announce her successor at a banquet at the Marriott Minneapolis Northwest in Brooklyn Park on May 5.