St. Louis Park's Redmond Among 10 Finalists for Teacher of the Year Honors

Peter Redmond, a language arts teacher at , is among 10 finalists for the 2011 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award.

When Redmond was selected as one of 108 candidates for the award in late January, Patch freelancer James Sanna caught up with him to .

“Patience is crucial” to being a good teacher, said Redmond with a laugh.  “So is a sense of humor.”

As part of his role as a language arts teacher, Redmond works with students on public speaking.

“I think that’s a very interesting thing to watch a person get up and control a crowd,” said Redmond, who studied public speaking in college.

Over the years, many of Redmond's students have come back to the classroom for a visit, or as guest speakers to demonstrate public speaking techniques.

“Some of my students today find it hard to believe that I have former students who are in their 40s now,” Redmond said with a laugh.  Some of them, he added, even came to his wedding several years ago, and several are now teachers at St. Louis Park High School, one of whom nominated him for the award.

A selection panel will meet April 30 to interview the 10 finalists and to cast votes. The winner of the award will then be announced at a May 1 banquet. For more, visit the Education Minnesota website.