An Ellis Middle School teacher has been named a semifinalist for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year award.

Special education teacher Aaron Stromlund, who has taught sixth- through eighth-grade students since 2004, was nominated in October after he was named the Austin Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

“It’s been kind of a surprise, and it’s a really nice honor,” Stromlund said. “I feel pretty lucky because I work with a great staff here at Ellis. There’s a lot of excellent educators here.”

In mid-October, Ellis staff member Dave Brown presented Stromlund with Austin Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year award. Brown said during the ceremony that Stromlund is fair, compassionate and an exceptional advocate for students, teachers and education. The recognition made Stromlund eligible for the statewide award.

Later, a selection panel of 25 community leaders chose the 39 semifinalists for Teacher of the Year from a pool of 135 candidates. The panel meets again in late March to select 10 finalists.

“At that point, there’s face-to-face interviews,” Stromlund said.

The current Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Edina’s Jackie Roehl, will announce her successor at a banquet in Brooklyn Park on May 5.