ST PAUL, Minn. — From 159 nominees to one.
Minnesota's 2024 Teacher of the Year is set to be named this Sunday in St. Paul, one educator who will rise from among 11 finalists representing a diverse pool of educators from across the state.
One man who knows about the honor and all it entails is Michael Houston, 2023 Teacher of the Year. Houston is a math teacher at Harding High School in St. Paul who will announce his successor on Sunday. KARE 11 Sunrise Anchor Jason Hackett caught up with Houston in his classroom between classes to ask about his reign, the current state of education and ask his advice for the incoming teacher of the year.
Jason: Could you take me back to that moment where you were named Teacher of the Year? What thoughts were going through your mind what were your emotions at that point?
Michael: Obviously you saw the video… I pinched myself on the cheek because I've never really won anything. Just flummoxed about, you know, me being selected to represent the amazing teachers and students in our state.
Jason: One year of being Teacher of the Year. What are some of your thoughts and reflections on this reign that you've had over the last 365 days?
Michael: It's been inspiring, has been validating. It's been exhausting. But it's also been life-changing.
I'd say the best part is talking to aspiring educators, either at the high school level or at the college level. I've been going around to different sites talking to high schoolers and talking to college students who want to get into this profession as well. So for me, that's been inspiring because we're dealing with a teacher shortage.
Jason: And I want to talk more about that. What is the current state of teaching? There's a lot of polarization, it seems, within education. Where do you think teachers stand right now? What is the mentality of teachers right now?
Michael: I think currently, teachers, for the most part, don't feel respected either by the district or by the legislature. Education is becoming divisive - with book bans and what should be taught in classrooms what shouldn't be taught. And it's exhausting because as teachers, we are wanting what's best for our students.
One of the stats that is mind-boggling for me is that we have 15,000 teachers who currently have a license that aren't in a classroom. And that just shows the amount of stress that the teachers are going through every day in this profession.
I wish teaching would go back to being a respected and noble position, and it is in many cases, but in many cases it's not.
Jason: How do we turn things around and get teaching back to that noble, respected profession?
Michael: I think it's having conversations. A lot of people are talking about what's good for students, what's not good for students, but aren't really having conversations with the educators who are in the classroom teaching the students.
Jason: You're leaving the throne, giving up your scepter and your kingdom as reigning Teacher of the Year. What is your advice to the incoming Teacher of the Year, whoever that may be?
Michael: What I would suggest for the next teacher of the year is to savor the moment. The year is going to go by fast, I mean in a blink of an eye. But with that title, I would encourage them to follow their passions... follow what they can do to help move the profession and move education forward. It's something that's gonna be life-changing, and it's a title that you're always gonna have for the rest of your career.
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