Walerius named Teacher of the Year in Owatonna
Tiffany Walerius has been named Teacher of the Year for Owatonna Schools. Submitted photo
A veteran elementary educator has been named Owatonna’s Teacher of the Year.
Tiffany Walerius, fourth grade teacher at Washington Elementary School, was named to the top honor at the Owatonna Education Association (OEA) banquet on May 10.
She was one of five finalists, which also included Sarah Kaley, Zack Kruger, Danielle Nystrom,
and Kari Wiste.
Walerius attended Owatonna Public Schools as a student and returned to begin teaching here in 1999. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from St. Cloud State University and master’s degree in education from Southwest Minnesota State University.
Her career began teaching an extended day kindergarten program, then moved to teach first grade at Wilson Elementary. She changed to second grade at Wilson, then started teaching fourth grade at Washington Elementary in 2019.
Walerius serves on the district language arts curriculum committee, the science curriculum committee, and Washington Elementary’s garden committee. She is a mentor to her teammates and the fourth-grade representative on Washington’s site team. She also teaches through the summer Minds at Work program.
“I am so honored to be a former Owatonna Public Schools student and return to teach in this great district that is focused on every learner, every day,” said Walerius. “It is so humbling to be selected to represent Owatonna Public Schools at the Teacher of the Year when there are so many dedicated and hardworking educators.”
OEA has over 350 members who nominate and vote annually for the Teacher of the Year.