Megan Hill, a fourth grade teacher at Groveland Elementary, has been named one of 31 semifinalists for the 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Hill has taught in the Minnetonka School District for 16 years, and she is also an Excelsior Elementary, Minnetonka Middle School West and Minnetonka High School alumna.

“I was shocked, honored and privileged when I found out I was nominated,” shared Hill about the Minnesota Teacher of the Year process. “I am in a pool of such excellent teachers from across Minnesota, and to be nominated from Minnetonka is especially meaningful. I am swimming alongside so many high-level, bright and wonderful teachers here.” She was Minnetonka’s elementary-level teacher of the year in 2024. (Watch the celebration video here)

Hill’s journey to her fourth grade classroom has been filled with a variety of teaching experiences. After studying biology and philosophy at Bates College for her undergraduate degree, she began her master’s in philosophy at the University of Minnesota. It wasn’t the fit she was hoping for, and one day on campus, she saw a line of preschoolers walking with a teacher toward the UMN Institute for Child Development. “I followed them back to their classroom, and they inspired me to change my major,” said Hill. 

She went on to study and then work at the Institute for Child Development, where she was an instructor working with both young children and undergraduate student teachers. “I had such great access to teaching professors at the U, and I was able to ask so many questions and be part of research,” she shared. After teaching at the Institute for Child Development and then raising her own children, she pursued a second master’s degree in elementary education from St. Catherine University. She was hired to teach for Minnetonka Public Schools, her alma mater, after completing her degree. “I bleed blue and white,” said Hill, “and I was so proud when I got that call with the opportunity to work here!”

Hill began her time teaching with Minnetonka Schools at Minnewashta Elementary. She taught fourth grade there for two years before moving to a Deephaven fourth grade classroom for seven years, and then she moved to Groveland.

“Megan is the type of teacher that is universally loved by students, staff and parents. She puts in the extra effort to get to know her students and her families,” shared Andrew Gilbertson, Groveland Elementary Principal. He noted that Hill makes a point to connect with her students and families early in the year each fall, so that she can understand how to best build rapport with and meet the instructional needs of each student. 

When asked about her favorite aspects of teaching, Hill glows. “It’s a myriad of things—the fact that it’s a challenge, that it’s always changing and I’m always learning and growing,” she shared. “The kids in front of me are different each year, and so I never repeat a lesson. I love that process, the striving to get better. If I think I have it figured out, that’s when I’d know I need to stop teaching, because there is always a new way to make a lesson engaging, to keep kids enjoying the learning.” 

She loves to see her classroom “humming,” she explained. “I love when I can step back and watch students connect in small groups or pairs—being the ‘guide on the side.’ To look around a classroom and see 25 readers engaged in what they’re learning, or in a science class, getting their hands dirty—there’s nothing like it.” 

“Megan is relentless in her pursuit of success for all of her students,” said Gilbertson. “Though she has been a successful veteran teacher for many years, she is always learning new ways to engage with and teach the students in her class. Her zest for improvement is evident in the positive attitude she brings to the building each day.”

Hill is grateful for her peer educators and school administrators, who she says “are always raising the game, and I always feel their support.” 

For those considering becoming teachers themselves, she encourages developing keen listening and observation skills. “Learn how to gather, staying on top of best practices, so you can test out the things that will work for you. Let the rest go to the side,” said Hill. “Bring yourself to the job—not by being perfect, but by being present. Laugh with your kids and bring that joy, because kids can sense it. The moments when kids know you see them—those trustworthy relationships you build with kids—that’s when I know this is a magical profession that not everyone gets to experience, and I am grateful for it.” 

Thank you for everything you bring to Minnetonka Public Schools, Megan! Our community will be cheering you on as the Teacher of the Year process continues.