ST. PAUL — The deadline is approaching to nominate a favorite teacher as the Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Education Minnesota says nominations will be accepted through the end of the day Friday. Simple nomination forms are available online.

To be eligible, nominees must teach in a public or nonpublic school, grades Pre-K through 12th grade, and spend at least half of their time working directly with students.

Nominees must also have a bachelor’s degree and state teaching license, and must have at least three years of teaching experience.

The 2014 Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be named May 4.