North Dakota 2026 Teacher of the Year wants to use platform to advocate for educators

Frannie Tunseth, right, a reading and math teacher at Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg Public School, receives a personalized license plate from Gov. Kelly Armstrong after winning the 2026 North Dakota Teacher of the Year award during a ceremony at the Capitol on Sept. 26, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

North Dakota’s 2026 Teacher of the Year said she’s excited to advocate for her profession and shine a light on challenges educators are facing.

“Sometimes we have the people who are the furthest away from the classroom making those classroom decisions with policy,” said Frannie Tunseth, a reading and math teacher from Mayville. “I think sometimes it’s on us educators to make sure we’re giving them better information as to what’s actually happening so they can make some better choices.”

Tunseth, who teaches at Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg Public School, was recognized Friday during a ceremony at the North Dakota Capitol. She was selected for the annual award out of 48 county Teacher of the Year candidates, which were narrowed down to four finalists.

“It feels so surreal to be honest,” Tunseth said after the ceremony. “Being up with all of these amazing educators is so inspiring. I’m almost awestruck.”

Tunseth works as a math and reading interventionist for grades 4-8, helping students struggling to keep up with their peers in those areas.

She said she hopes to promote more sustained professional development for teachers and wants to ensure that teachers have the ability to control their own classrooms without being constrained.

During the ceremony, North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler said Tunseth’s love for teaching was evident in her award application. She added the application included numerous letters of support and examples of how she supports students who struggle with learning. 

“Teachers have the opportunity to change the world by lifting up the next generation, and Mrs. Tunseth understands this as well as anyone,” Baesler said. “Mrs. Tunseth’s teaching is truly inspirational.”

Gov. Kelly Armstrong called teaching “the most noble profession we have in North Dakota.”

“Nobody affects the future of North Dakota more than our teachers,” said Armstrong, who presented Tunseth with a personalized North Dakota license plate that reads “NDTOY26.” 

He added teachers like Tunseth are inspiring the next generation of law enforcement, doctors, accountants and other professions each community in the state relies on.

Tunseth previously taught in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, Grand Forks and Hillsboro and served as principal for three years at Griggs County Central School in Cooperstown.

She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Dakota and is expected to receive a doctorate in teaching in 2027, according to a Department of Public Instruction news release.

Other finalists for the 2026 North Dakota Teacher of the Year Award were:

• Emily Dawes, a K-5 literacy specialist at Lake Agassiz Elementary School in Grand Forks

• Hannah Sagvold, a business education teacher at Lisbon Public School

• Leah Wheeling, sixth grade physical education and digital literacy teacher at Simle Middle School in Bismarck

Tunseth will represent North Dakota in the National Teacher of the Year competition that will be held in spring 2026.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling can be reached at machterling@northdakotamonitor.com.

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