Hamline alumnus Michael Houston ’11 was recently named the 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Houston, a mathematics teacher at Harding High School in Saint Paul Public Schools, completed his masters degree in education at Hamline School of Education and Leadership (HSEL).
As the 59th recipient of the prestigious award, Houston is the fourth Hamline alumni to be named Minnesota Teacher of the Year in the past 10 years. He is also a two-time finalist for the award, having been named a finalist in 2017.
Houston’s 19-year career at Harding includes 18 years as a football coach. He is currently mathematics department chair, a learning team facilitator and union steward.
In the announcement, Houston said his teaching philosophy “has always been centered upon creating classroom community. In the wake of the pandemic and the ongoing trauma our Harding students have endured, my goal every day is to make sure they have fun in their learning and know they are loved.”
Education Minnesota, the 86,000-member statewide educators union, organizes and underwrites the Teacher of the Year program. An independent selection committee representing Minnesota leaders in education, business and government chooses the Teacher of the Year from individuals who are nominated and who then choose to become a candidate.
The Hamline School of Education and Leadership offers undergraduate, masters and doctoral programs, as well as a licensure program for aspiring K-12 educators.
