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Fields of Study College of Education and Human Development

The College of Education and Human Development
104 Burton Hall - 178 Pillsbury Dr. SE - Minneapolis MN 55455
Tel: 612-625-6806 - Fax: 612-626-7496

Alumni recipients of the Minnesota Teacher of the Year Award

We prepare the best.

Sharon Cormany OrnelasWe have another Milken National Educator Award winner!

Sharon Cormany Ornelas, CEHD professional practice school coordinator and alumna (M.Ed. ’00, second languages and cultures), was honored Thursday at her school, Patrick Henry High School. The Milken Award provides public recognition and an unrestricted financial award of $25,000 to teachers, principals, and specialists who are furthering excellence in education. Read more at Read more at Minneapolis Teacher Surprised With National Honor, WCCO.com.

In 2003, Natalie Rasmussen, Ph.D. (Ph.D., '06, education, curriculum and instruction) also won an Milken Educator Award. At that time she was a teacher and department chair at North Community High School, Minneapolis, Minn.

The Minnesota Teacher of the Year Award, sponsored by Education Minnesota, the teachers’ union, began in 1964. Since that time, 40 percent of those teachers honored have done graduate work or received undergraduate and/or graduate degrees from the College of Education and Human Development, Twin Cities. They are:

  • Michael Smart, 2007 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Japanese teacher at Armstrong High School in Plymouth
  • Lee-Ann Stephens, 2006, English and language arts teacher in St. Louis Park
  • Glen Sorenson, 2005, anatomy and physiology teacher in Proctor
  • Ellen Delaney, 1999, math teacher in North St. Paul
  • Rita Wigfield, 1992, fifth grade teacher in Hopkins
  • Cathy Nelson, 1990, social studies teacher in Fridley
  • Maureen Sanger, 1988, music teacher in Roseville
  • Judy McCleary, 1986, family and consumer science teacher in Roseville
  • Cecilia Critchely, 1980, third-fourth grade teacher in Mounds View
  • Charles Funk, 1979, agriculture teacher in Motley
  • George Gillespie; 1978, English, journalism, and humanities teacher in Clouquet
  • Denneth Dvergsten, 1975, biology teacher in Roseville
  • Robert Heyer, 1974, physical science teacher in Mounds View
  • Thomas Stoltman; 1973, radio, TV, and speech teacher in Winona
  • Madonna Dahl, 1972, third grade teacher in Bloomington
  • Theodore Molitor, 1969, chemistry teacher in Roseville
  • Gloria Kortmeyer, 1967, choir teacher in Owatanna
  • Robert Arnold, 1965, science teacher in Richfield

August 2007

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Last modified on May 14, 2008