Emily Dawes, an elementary teacher from Grand Forks, has been nominated as one of four candidates for the prestigious North Dakota Teacher of the Year award. The announcement came on September 26, 2026, during a celebration held in her classroom at Lake Agassiz Elementary. North Dakota K-12 Superintendent Kirsten Baesler was present to honor Dawes for her dedication to education, which spans over 11 years in the Grand Forks School District.
During her acceptance speech, Dawes expressed her gratitude and passion for teaching. “My heart is so full. I am so grateful,” she shared. “I’m just putting my heart into those kids, and they are my absolute reason for it.” Her commitment to forming strong relationships with her students has been a hallmark of her teaching style.
Selection Process and Criteria
The North Dakota Teacher of the Year award has recognized outstanding educators since 1963. Candidates for this honor are chosen from a pool of 48 county-level Teachers of the Year throughout the state. The final selection will be made by an eight-member committee consisting of representatives from various educational organizations and departments in North Dakota.
According to Jennifer Odell, the program coordinator for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, the committee will evaluate candidates based on several factors, including student achievement and community involvement. “We’re looking for the extending influence beyond the classroom and how they serve as an advocate for the education profession,” Odell explained.
Emma Lund, a fifth-grade student at J. Nelson Kelly Elementary and a former pupil of Dawes, praised her ability to create an inclusive environment. “She just wanted everyone to be included, and she didn’t want anyone to feel left out,” Lund said. “And she just wanted first grade to be the best grade ever, and it really was fun.”
Community Praise and Future Aspirations
Support for Dawes comes not only from her students but also from her colleagues. Kelli Tannahill, principal of Kelly Elementary and a former colleague, spoke highly of Dawes’ character, stating, “What truly sets Emily apart is her heart. She leads with empathy and collaborates with humility, grace, and humor.”
Terry Brenner, superintendent of Grand Forks Public Schools, emphasized that Dawes’ nomination reflects the high caliber of educators in the district. “It’s a celebration of Emily,” he noted. “But Emily would be the first one to say it’s a celebration of the school.”
While no North Dakota educator has ever won the national Teacher of the Year title since the program’s inception in 1952, Baesler remarked that a national win would be beneficial for both the state and aspiring teachers. “To have a North Dakota winner representing North Dakota as a National Teacher of the Year would just be beyond what I think our state needs,” she stated, emphasizing the potential for inspiring young people to pursue teaching.
Odell added that the impact of a nominee is significant regardless of the national outcome. “Our Teacher of the Year and our finalists every year… those are already our heroes,” she said. “It would just give North Dakota a little bit more of a spotlight to highlight the things that we already do.”
As the new school year begins, Dawes is transitioning to a role as a literacy specialist at Lake Agassiz Elementary, where she will focus on assessing literacy skills and providing additional support to students in need. She expressed enthusiasm for this new chapter, crediting the support of her mentors and colleagues throughout her career. “It is such an amazing recognition because I am surrounded by so many wonderful teachers,” Dawes remarked. “I don’t think I’d be there if I wasn’t inspired and mentored. And then, of course, I just love the kids I teach.”
