Minnesota Teacher of the Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The 2010 Minnesota Teacher of the Year is

Ryan Vernosh, a sixth-grade teacher at Maxfield Magnet Elementary

School in St. Paul.

Education Minnesota, the state teacher's union, announced the

winner Sunday afternoon.

Many of Maxfield's students live in poverty, but Vernosh says

that doesn't change his unshakable belief that all students can and

will learn regardless of their circumstances.

He says one of the biggest issues facing education is the

achievement gap between white students and minority students. He

says shrinking that gap is behind everything he does.

Vernosh was one of 10 finalists for year's award. They were

nominated by students, parents, colleagues and members of their

communities.

Tags: daily updates, news, minnesota, teacher, of, the, year, education