Maple Grove Middle School Teacher a Semifinalist for Teacher of the Year
Michael Herdan, an eighth-grade global studies teacher at Maple Grove Middle School, is one of 30 semifinalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. It’s a prestigious honor. But if you ask him, he’s just happy to see his school in the spotlight.
Herdan is one of a few global studies teachers at the middle school. He and his fellow teachers collaborate on instructional plans, like last week, when every global studies class took part in an interactive lesson on the bubonic plague. Herdan set the scene as students walked in, wearing a mask shaped like a beak, just like doctors used during those times.
Herdan’s father, a retired teacher, volunteered to stand at the door in all black dressed as the grim reaper. Herdan described it as “messing with the kids.”
It worked.
“It’s the late 1340s, early 1350s. And you’re a trader,” Herdan said to students once they all settled in. “You are a traveler headed through north Europe and north Africa. And it’s right as that bubonic plague is hitting.”
The students were instructed to travel from “country to country,” set up at stations throughout the classroom. They answered questions on a worksheet, then rolled a die to discover how many days they spent in the country. After that, they pulled out that same number of beans from a bag. If they picked out a different colored bean, they were inflicted with the plague, or, in some cases, cholera.
“If you pull one of these diseased beans, okay, either the plague or cholera, then you’re going to come visit our grim reaper right here,” Herdan said, gesturing to his dad at the front desk.
This interactive lesson was one of many Herdan’s implemented over the years. His students have taken notice.
“Out of three years here, global studies is the most fun for me. I like it the most,” said Zahraa Owaisy, an eighth grader in his fourth-hour class.
Mr. Herdan presides over his fourth-hour global studies class. That day’s activity was an interactive way for the students to learn.
Teacher of the Year Semifinalist
Owaisy clearly isn’t his only fan. Herdan’s Teacher of the Year nomination is proof enough.
“I am really excited. I think he has a legitimate shot at being teacher of the year,” said Maple Grove Middle School Principal Xavier Reed. “That is extremely exciting for our school community.”
Reed said Herdan was one of the first people he met when he joined the staff last year. Immediately, Reed said he could tell he’s a special teacher with the right characteristics: patient, welcoming and a great sense of humor.
“We could not run a school without having dedicated people like a Mr. Herdan, or the others we have in our building,” Reed said.
Herdan said he loves to work with middle schoolers. For him, every day is weird and unique. And he’s happy to work alongside them at that important age.
“Students need teachers with them, at that point, who are going to be with them no matter what,” Herdan said.
Reed said he’s perfect for the job. But for Herdan, it’s natural for him to redirect the praise he gets to his colleagues. He mentioned former colleagues, his current global studies team, and even his students.
“I’m not me without everyone else along the way, and all these teachers that I’ve worked with,” Herdan said.
Students traveled from “country to country,” learning about the bubonic plague’s effects across Europe.
A Greater Impact
Herdan is also a high school track coach, working primarily with sprinters. He said he’s excited for the girls’ 4×400 team, who won the state championship last year. Herdan said he enjoys coaching because he likes to see the kids succeed, but also loves to see them have fun just as much.
It’s pretty clear that though it takes a village, Herdan certainly has a hand in his own success. His passion for education, particularly the power of global studies, says it all.
“I hope, when they walk away from my classroom, that they feel like learning is fun. And learning is something that we will do for the rest of our lives,” Herdan said. “To have a broader understanding of the world is just going to put them in a better place. And that’s why I love this class.”
Not every student caught the bubonic plague in class, but Herdan hopes that by the end of the year, they catch the learning bug.
A total of 128 teachers were initially nominated for the Teacher of the Year award presented by Education Minnesota. The field was then narrowed down to 30 semifinalists. Next, that group will be narrowed down to 10. The 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year winner will be announced in May.
