Albert Lea Area Schools this week announced the six finalists for the 2018-19 Teacher of the Year.

The finalists are the following:

• Mary Bissen, music, Southwest Middle School

• Matt Bitz, fifth grade, Lakeview Elementary School

• Kris Burnett, kindergarten, Hawthorne Elementary School

• Heather Heitman-Alford, intervention, Lakeview Elementary School

• Paula Olson, English, Area Learning Center

• Joie Willner, special education, Lakeview Elementary School

The teachers were selected from a list of 61 nominees.

The school district stated previously in a press release the purpose of the Teacher of the Year program is to express appreciation to the educators whose examples serve as inspiration to parents, students and fellow teachers.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony April 3 at Albert Lea High School.