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Leadership
Page 24 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Linda “Wally” Wallenberg is One of Five Finalists for National

Teacher of the Year!

a national finalist. we know what magic in a classroom looks The National Teacher of the Year final-
Wallenberg — known affectionately as like. Students come alive, ideas flow and the ists were selected from a cohort of Teachers
“Wally” by her students — has taught English energy is palpable,” said Dr. Jaysen Anderson, of the Year from all 50 states, U.S. extra-state
at Eden Prairie High School for nearly 50 principal at Eden Prairie High School. “That territories, the District of Columbia and the
years. Her selection as a national finalist high- happens in ‘Wally’s’ class every day. After half Department of Defense Education Activity.
lights Minnesota’s long and distinguished a century of teaching, she continuously shows From that group, the National Teacher of the
history in the National Teacher of the Year up with the same enthusiasm and excitement Year is chosen by an independent selection
program. Minnesota is tied for third nation- as year one. There’s a reason her students committee, comprised of representatives of
ally in the number of National Teachers of the remember her for a lifetime. What’s even more national K-12 education organizations. Each
Year produced, with four — a reflection of the extraordinary is how she remembers nearly finalist advanced to the final round of inter-
state’s enduring commitment to excellence in every one of the thousands of learners she has views in Washington, D.C., in early March.
teaching and learning. connected with — her endless collection of The 2026 National Teacher of the Year will be
“This is a moment of tremendous pride photos of students long since graduated is a announced later in the spring.
for Minnesota and for Linda,” said Dr. Heather living testimonial of her belief of ‘one student You’ve made us so proud, Wally. Eagle
Campbell and Jennifer Niemi, co-chairs of at a time; one comma at a time.’” Nation is rooting for you!
the Minnesota Teacher of the Year Program, “In every lesson she leads, in every
in a joint statement. “Linda represents the student she supports, in every colleague she
very best of our profession — deep expertise, champions, she reminds us of what exceptional
unwavering commitment to students and a education looks like,” said Superintendent www.edenpr.org
Eden Prairie Schools belief that teaching is ultimately about helping Dr. Josh Swanson. “We could not be prouder
Linda Wallenberg, the 2025 Minnesota young people discover who they are and who and more excited that people across America
Teacher of the Year, has been named one of they can become. To see her recognized on the will get to see the spark she ignites through
five finalists for the 2026 National Teacher of national stage is both fitting and inspiring.” her passion for education and her devotion to
the Year! Because she is the first-ever Min- For decades, Wally has inspired countless raising our next generation to be innovative
nesota Teacher of the Year from Eden Prairie, students to follow their dreams, and many to creators, critical thinkers, strong collaborators
this is also the very first time we have ever had become teachers themselves. “As educators, and unparalleled communicators.”

Dr. Lisa Sayles-Adams Named 2026 Minnesota

Superintendent of the Year

and community engagement are transforming Advancing Literacy Through budgeting, a clear and accessible process that
MPS and setting a new standard for educa- aligns financial decisions with the district’s
tional leadership.” Systemwide Alignment strategic plan and school board priorities.
To ensure every student receives the Through regular appearances on com-
Rebuilding Trust and Stability in early literacy instruction they deserve, Dr. munity radio stations, a multi-channel digital
Minneapolis Public Schools Sayles-Adams ushered in the districtwide media strategy, and the MPS Voices podcast,
Since being appointed superintendent in implementation of the University of Florida Dr. Sayles-Adams and MPS connect directly
2024, Dr. Sayles-Adams has led MPS through Literacy Institute (UFLI) Foundational Skills with families to share updates and address
a period of positive change marked by enroll- Curriculum. This move consolidated many community questions. The district’s “We Are
ment growth, renewed public confidence, and disparate reading programs into one evidence- MPS” media campaign has helped rebuild
improved academic outcomes. During her based, science-of-reading-aligned curriculum public trust and reclaim its narrative by high-
first 100 days, she focused on listening and across all 44 elementary schools. The system’s lighting the many successes of students and
learning – visiting more than 50 schools and powerful progress-monitoring platform pro- staff.
hosting seven community listening sessions. vides teachers with “just-in-time” data every In 2024, Dr. Sayles-Adams’ efforts con-
This outreach built a foundation of trust and five days, allowing them to adjust instruction tributed to the successful passage of an increase
a shared vision that continues to guide Dr. immediately based on student performance. to the district’s technology levy, which freed
Sayles-Adams’ collaboration with the school By pairing this initiative with intensive general education funds and improved the
board, staff, and community. professional development and frequent prog- district’s long-term financial outlook. Simul-
Dr. Sayles-Adams’ collaborative ress monitoring, Minneapolis Public Schools taneously, MPS achieved its lowest licensed
The Minnesota Association of School approach has engaged thousands of stakehold- achieved rapid results: in one Northside staff vacancy rate in nearly a decade (1.27%),
Administrators (MASA) has named Dr. Lisa ers in shaping the district’s future. Between school, the percentage of kindergarten stu- ensuring consistent, high-quality instruction
Sayles-Adams, Superintendent of Minneapo- December 2024 and March 2025, a district- dents from low-income households on track for students.
lis Public Schools (MPS), the 2026 Minnesota wide caregiver survey drew more than 7,100 for grade-level reading rose from 15% to 45%
Superintendent of the Year. responses – representing 35 percent of MPS in a single year. A Legacy of Service and Equity-Driven
“We are honored to recognize Dr. Lisa families – and guided decisions on academics, Leadership
Sayles-Adams as the 2026 Minnesota Super- school climate, mental-health supports, and Community-Driven Leadership and Dr. Sayles-Adams brings nearly 30
intendent of the Year,” said MASA Executive other programming. This process reflects Dr. Fiscal Stewardship years of experience as a teacher, principal,
Director Dr. Deb Henton. “Dr. Sayles-Adams Sayles-Adams’ belief that inclusive engage- Dr. Sayles-Adams’ tenure is defined by and district leader. She began her career in
is working to rebuild trust and stability in one ment builds lasting trust. The collective vision her belief that transparency and accountabil- Minneapolis Public Schools, later serving as
of Minnesota’s largest and most diverse dis- that emerged is guiding efforts to return Minne- ity strengthen public education. Under her
tricts. Her vision and commitment to literacy apolis Public Schools to a destination district. leadership, MPS has utilized priority-based Continued on Page 26