South St. Paul math teacher Jessica Davis named 2019 MN Teacher of the Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Jessica Davis of South St. Paul Secondary School is the 2019 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Education Minnesota made the announcement Sunday, making the math teacher the 55th recipient of the award.

Davis has been teaching since 2006 where she began at Harding High School. Since 2009, she has worked at South St. Paul. Before that, she earned her degree from Minnesota State-Mankato and received a masters from Hamline University.

“Every student deserves to be empowered by their own voice and elevated to their highest potential,” Davis said. “Most important, they deserve educators who want the same.”

“One measure a person can use when judging another is, would you trust your own children with this person?” wrote Luke V. Olson, a colleague at South St. Paul Secondary, in a letter of recommendation for Davis. “When my son was studying to become a teacher, he needed a mentor teacher, and asked me for advice…. I suggested Jess, because she exemplifies everything that I hope my son would become as a teacher.”

Davis was chosen by an independent selection committee representing Minnesota leaders in education, business and government, according to Education Minnesota.