Frannie Tunseth named North Dakota’s 2026 Teacher of the Year

Frannie Tunseth, a reading and mathematics interventionist at Mayville-Portland-Clifford-Galesburg Public School in Mayville, has been named North Dakota’s Teacher of the Year for 2026. The announcement was made jointly by State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and Governor Kelly Armstrong on Friday.

Tunseth works with students in grades four through eight who need extra support in math and reading. She has spent 11 years in education as both a teacher and an elementary school principal. In 2022, she was recognized as Griggs County Teacher of the Year.

“Many of the students I work with have experienced repeated challenges in school, which can lead to disengagement and a belief that they are not capable,” Tunseth said in her Teacher of the Year application. “My core belief is that all kids can experience success every single day, and it's my responsibility to create the conditions for that success.”

Tunseth will begin her term as Teacher of the Year on January 1, succeeding Kendall Bergrud, a mathematics teacher at Wachter Middle School in Bismarck.

The announcement took place during a ceremony at the state Capitol honoring the four finalists for the award: Emily Dawes from Lake Agassiz Elementary School in Grand Forks; Hannah Sagvold from Lisbon Public School; Leah Wheeling from Simle Middle School in Bismarck; and Tunseth herself.

“Mrs.Tunseth’s teaching style is inspirational. When a student is having difficulties, she is able to transform their outlook on education. Her love and dedication for teaching and her students are evident,” Baesler said. “She works hard to bring parents and families into her classroom instruction, because she knows that family involvement is a key part of student success.”

“Mrs.Tunseth will be an excellent representative for the outstanding North Dakota teachers that we have in our classrooms across North Dakota,” Baesler added.

Governor Armstrong described Mrs. Tunseth as “an inspiration for educators everywhere” who is dedicated to “helping every student succeed, no matter how big the obstacle.”

“We’re fortunate in North Dakota to have teachers like Mrs. Tunseth, who care deeply and go the extra mile to create a bright future for our children,” Armstrong said. “We congratulate her on this deserving honor as Teacher of the Year.”

Tunseth started her teaching career at the University of North Dakota (UND) as a resident kindergarten teacher while pursuing graduate studies full time. She holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UND and is currently working toward a Ph.D., expected to be completed by May 2027.

Her previous roles include teaching first grade in Thief River Falls, Minnesota; serving as a kindergarten teacher in Grand Forks; instructing fourth grade in Hillsboro; and working three years as an elementary principal at Griggs County Central school district in Cooperstown before moving to her current position.

The selection process began last spring when nominations were opened for County Teachers of the Year across North Dakota. Forty-eight educators received county-level honors before four finalists were chosen by an eight-member screening committee consisting of education stakeholders. This process follows guidelines established under NDCC 15.1-02-21.

As state Teacher of the Year, Tunseth will be considered for National Teacher of the Year honors next spring. The Council of Chief State School Officers oversees this national selection process. Kirsten Baesler previously served as president of its board of directors.