Erickson, Kildahl Named Semifinalists for Teacher of the Year

Two Saint Paul Public Schools teachers have been named semifinalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Como Park Senior High School’s Eric Erickson and Battle Creek Middle School’s Alli Kildahl, who join 28 other educators as semifinalists for the award.

The panel will review the semifinalists’ portfolios again, along with semifinalist video submissions, in mid-March. The panel will select about 10 finalists from among the group. The current Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Linda Wallenberg, will announce her successor at the Minnesota Teacher of the Year banquet, scheduled for May 3 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.

Eric Erickson, Como Senior High School

I have been teaching and coaching in SPPS for the past 31 years. For the last 26 years, I've been at Como Park High School. My first five years were at Washington Technology Magnet Middle School, back in the 90s.

I've been blessed to be part of a community that brings people together through a positive mission. All across St. Paul, we want to see our students succeed, develop skills, and reach their potential. Being in the classroom every day, we're able to build relationships with our students and witness their achievements, both big and small. I love teaching because there's something to celebrate every day - from a student who connected a concept, to a class that engaged in critical thinking, to a game with teammates working together and representing their school with pride.

Being an educator can be challenging and humbling, but working hard to serve all our students brings unique rewards. We have the ability to create opportunities for our students. When they step up and realize what they can do, when doors open and students see what's possible - it brings joy to students, their families, and their teachers. I value having a career that's based on trying to help people and I appreciate the positive relationships that emerge and endure through that effort.

Alli Kildahl, Battle Creek Middle School

This is my seventh year in SPPS, and I'm proud to have spent the whole time at Battle Creek Middle School. Teaching is important to me because the world is unjust in a way that can disadvantage the population I work with. Through a social studies education students can see themselves, identify injustices, trace their history, learn how others have fought for better, celebrate their identities, find their voices, and become empowered to demand justice from the world.