It’s that time of year, again! As K-12 students and educators head back to school, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction is preparing to officially name the 2026 ND Teacher of the Year at the state Capitol in a ceremony scheduled for Friday, Sept. 26.
Each year, a group of finalists are selected out of that year’s County Teachers of the Year by an eight-member screening committee. This year, all four finalists are members of North Dakota United and their local education associations. Congratulations to them and all our County TOYs!
This year’s finalists are:
- Emily Dawes, a first-grade teacher at J. Nelson Kelly Elementary School in Grand Forks and 2025 Grand Forks County Teacher of the Year;
- Hannah Sagvold, a business education teacher at Lisbon Public School and 2025 Ransom County Teacher of the Year;
- Frannie Tunseth, a teacher of grades 4-8 at Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg Public School in Mayville and 2025 Traill County Teacher of the Year; and
- Leah Wheeling, a sixth-grade teacher of physical education and digital literacy at Simle Middle School in Bismarck and 2025 Burleigh County Teacher of the Year.
In April, NDDPI and Superintendent Kirsten Baesler honored 48 North Dakota educators who were named County Teachers of the Year from their respective counties. DPI plans to visit the schools of all four finalists for individual award events, and we will be featuring spotlight articles on each finalist in our next issue of United Voices and on our website.
As we get ready for the announcement ceremony, we have compiled these short bios of all four finalists. Stay tuned to our News & Media Center for in-depth coverage of the announcement ceremony and Member Spotlights of this year’s honorees.
Emily Dawes
Emily Dawes is a literacy specialist at Lake Agassiz Elementary in Grand Forks. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and a Master of Science in Reading Education from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. In 2025, Emily was named Teacher of the Year for the Grand Forks Public Schools and was honored as the Certified Employee of the First Quarter for the 2024–25 school year.
An experienced educator, Dawes has taught students from early childhood through third grade. She is very cognizant of implementing best practices and works diligently to create a classroom where students can not only feel safe, accepted and valued, but also experience rigorous and engaging academic instruction. Her goal is to ensure that each child receives high-quality learning experiences that support their growth and confidence as learners.
Dawes said she loves to incorporate music, movement and humor into her teaching style, making learning joyful and memorable. She emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and believes that trust is the foundation for all significant learning. She credits her own children as her greatest teachers, helping her better understand what students really need from their educators — compassion, patience and belief in their potential.
Her favorite teaching quote, “No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship,” originally by James Comer and cited by Rita Pierson in her TED Talk, perfectly reflects her approach to teaching with heart, purpose and connection.
Hannah Sagvold
Hannah Sagvold is an educator at Lisbon Public School in Lisbon. She teaches eight Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, including business fundamentals, entrepreneurship, computer applications, accounting, management, business law, multimedia, desktop publishing and a school-based enterprise. Sagvold holds a Bachelor of Learning Management in Secondary and Vocational Education and Training through Central Queensland University, Australia, as well as Master of Science in Special Education with an emphasis on Developmental Disabilities through Minnesota State University-Moorhead.
Sagvold said she is passionate about the impact of CTE in high school settings and its role in shaping confident, capable young professionals. She prioritizes career-readiness skills that extend beyond the classroom through project-based learning and involves students in real-world challenges that develop critical thinking, communication and collaboration. With a strong emphasis on community integration, Sagvold designs learning experiences that connect students with local businesses, and mentors to deepen relevance and engagement.
Prior to her current role, Sagvold was a special education teacher. She remains deeply committed to creating inclusive classrooms where all learners feel valued and supported. With this background, she has been able to advocate for equitable access by embedding differentiation into the general education setting.
Outside of the classroom, she is vice president of District 7 North Dakota Cattlewomen’s, as well as secretary of the McLeod Rodeo Association and a mom to two young children.
Frannie Tunseth
Frannie Tunseth currently serves as an interventionist at Mayville-Portland CG Public Schools in Mayville, where she works with students in grades four through eight, delivering targeted reading and math interventions. Tunseth leads the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) at the middle school level and plays an integral role in using assessment data to guide instruction and improve student outcomes.
Tunseth holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in elementary education and a minor in special education from the University of North Dakota. She earned a Master of Education from the University of North Dakota and an Educational Leadership Certificate from the University of Mary in Bismarck. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Teaching and Leading from the University of North Dakota, where her research focuses on practitioner inquiry and trauma-informed practices in P–12 education.
She was honored as North Dakota County Teacher of the Year in both Griggs County (2022) and Traill County (2025), recognizing her dedication to student achievement, inclusive practices and community engagement. In addition to her K–12 work, Tunseth serves as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of North Dakota, instructing future educators in assessment and writing methods. Tunseth said she prioritizes equity, relationship-building and reflective practice in her teaching. She is passionate about creating trauma-informed, student-centered learning environments that foster academic growth and emotional well-being.
Leah Wheeling
Leah Wheeling is a dynamic educator who thrives in all aspects and levels of education. She currently teaches sixth-grade Digital Literacy and Physical Education at Simle Middle School in Bismarck and serves as an adjunct instructor for three methods courses at the University of Mary. In addition, she coaches middle school track, teaches swim lessons, and loves her vocation as wife and mother to husband Thomas and children Michael and Sarah.
Over her 14-year career, Wheeling has taught choir, general music, swimming, health and seventh-grade PE. She said she is passionate about creating activity opportunities beyond the classroom, leading programs such as Training and Games (TAG) and Board Game Club. An advocate for lifelong learning, Wheeling serves as a board member and past president of NDSHAPE. She regularly presents at state, regional and national conferences, and co-hosts professional development for educators.
Wheeling holds a Bachelor of Science in K–12 Physical Education and Music from Bemidji State University (2012), and a Master in Sport and Physical Education Administration from the University of Mary (2016). She was named North Dakota Society of Health and Physical Educators (NDSHAPE) Middle School PE Teacher of the Year in both 2016 and 2024, and received the 2024 Governor’s Innovator Award.
Wheeling’s passion for education is infectious, reflected in how her students respond to her engaging and innovative teaching. Wheeling believes in the potential that every learner has to positively experience physical activity as they embrace the journey of lifelong wellness.
