KM teacher advances to semifinal round
A teacher from Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools is a semifinalist for the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award.
Colleen Tentis, a kindergarten teacher who has been with the district for 19 years, was named as one of 30 teachers in the running for the prestigious award.
Despite her success in the classroom, Tentis did not envision a career as a teacher.
She first worked in the corporate world, but a principal who saw her volunteering at her children’s schools encouraged her to pursue a degree in education.
Tentis earned a bachelor’s degree from Bemidji State University, a master’s degree from Winona State University and a reading specialist license from St. Mary’s University in Winona.
“Being chosen for Teacher of the Year for KMEM has been a very humbling event,” Tentis said back in August, when she received the local honor. “It is an honor to represent our school and community. Teachers don’t do this alone; teaching is a team effort. And I’m surrounded by the best of the best.”
Tentis has been recognized for her ability to foster student growth in foundational skills and her dedication to reading and social-emotional health. She focuses on creating a nurturing environment by drawing on her own experiences as a young reader.
After being selected as the K-M Teacher of the Year, her name was entered into the competition for Minnesota Teacher of the Year.
In January, Education Minnesota announced an initial field of 128 candidates for the state award; Tentis was one of six teachers from southeast Minnesota who were nominated.
Late last month, an independent panel of community leaders narrowed the field to 30 semifinalists, based on professional high standards and a commitment to student success.
Rajaa Ali, a multilingual learner at Gage Elementary School in Rochester, is the only other southern Minnesota teacher to be selected as a semifinalist.
This is the 62nd year of the Minnesota Teacher of the Year program. The selection panel will meet later this month to select about 10 finalists.
The 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be announced at a formal ceremony May 3 at the St. Paul RiverCentre.