Federal Video

Educators From Tim Walz’s Old School React to Having Him on the Ballot

By Jaclyn Borowski & Libby Stanford — August 8, 2024 3:16
Gov. Tim Walz pauses before delivering his third State of the State address Sunday, March 28, 2021 from his old classroom at Mankato West High School in Mankato, Minn.

Educators in Mankato, Minn., have been busy navigating heightened attention on their school district since Vice President Kamala Harris chose a former Mankato teacher, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as her running mate in the 2024 presidential election.

Walz worked as a social studies teacher at Mankato West High School for a decade before running for Congress in 2006. Mankato Superintendent Paul Peterson and Mankato West Principal Sherri Blasing spoke with Education Week about Walz’s tenure in the district and what his addition to the Democratic ticket means for teachers and students.

Jaclyn Borowski is the director of photography and videography for Education Week.
Libby Stanford was a reporter for Education Week.
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