Orono High School Teacher Nominated for Teacher of the Year

Orono High School math teacher Michelle Swenson is one of 111 educators from across the state nominated for Education Minnesota's "2012 Teacher of the Year Award."

Swenson teaches calculus and advanced placement calculus at Orono High School and is active in a wide range of after-school activities—including being the faculty advisor of "Calc Cuts Cancer," which raised $1,300 this school year for the Children's Cancer Research Fund.

After graduating from Southwest Minnesota University, Swenson earned her Master's degree in teaching and learning from St. Mary's University. 

In 2010 Swenson was among 20 educators from across the nation chosen to participate in the prestigious Siemens Teachers as Researchers (STARs) program, which partners teachers with scientists to conduct research related to current scientific issues. Swenson is currently the secretary of the Orono Education Foundation and is a member of Education Minnesota's Professional Advocacy Committee.

The 2012 Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be announced Sunday, May 6, at The Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Over the coming weeks, a 22-member panel of community leaders will name a group of semifinalists, and then finalists.