Minnesota's 2019 Teacher of the Year is Jessica Davis.
"I was absolutely floored," Davis told Dave Lee on the WCCO Morning News.
She was selected from a field of nine finalists, with the announcement coming on Sunday in St. Paul.
“Every student deserves to be empowered by their own voice and elevated to their highest potential,” said Davis, the 55th recipient of the award. “Most important, they deserve educators who want the same.”
Davis is from St. Joseph and graduated from Minnesota State, Mankato, before completing her master's degree at Hamline University.
After teaching at Harding High School in St. Paul, she became a math teacher at South St. Paul Secondary School, and is the first Minnesota Teacher of the Year to come from that district.
The 2018 teacher of the year, Kelly Holstine of Shakopee’s Tokata Learning Center, boycotted an invitation to the White House as a protest to the administration's education policies.
Davis said she'll wait until making a decision on any trip to Washington.
"That's a great question," she said. "I can't wait to go back to school and talk to my students and see what is the best decision for us."
She is looking for more help from state officials when it comes to improving education for all Minnesota students.
"It's always funding, especially in South St. Paul," Davis said.