KEY:stricken= old language to be removed underscored = new language to be added
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S.R. No. 85, as introduced: 94th Legislative Session (2025-2026) Posted on May 13, 2026
1.1A Senate resolution
1.2congratulating 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year David Davis.
1.3WHEREAS, David Davis, an instrumental and general music teacher at Park Spanish Immersion Elementary
1.4in St. Louis Park Public Schools, has been named the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, becoming the 62nd educator
1.5to receive Minnesota's highest teaching honor; and
1.6WHEREAS, David Davis is the first music educator to be named Minnesota Teacher of the Year since 1999,
1.7highlighting the essential role of arts education in fostering creativity, connection, cultural understanding, and student
1.8engagement; and
1.9WHEREAS, through innovative and culturally responsive teaching practices, David Davis has created music
1.10classrooms that center student voice, creativity, and belonging, empowering students to compose original music,
1.11collaborate with peers, and connect learning to their own identities and communities; and
1.12WHEREAS, David Davis has earned statewide and national recognition for excellence in teaching and
1.13educational leadership, including being the first Minnesotan named a semifinalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator
1.14Award, as well as receiving the Give A Note Foundation Music Education Innovator Award and Yamaha "40 Under
1.1540" recognition; and
1.16WHEREAS, David Davis has demonstrated a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and systemic improvement
1.17in public education through his leadership with the National Association for Music Education Council of Innovations,
1.18the Minnesota Department of Education's Culturally Responsive Arts Education cohort, Education Minnesota's Racial
1.19Equity Advocate program, and other statewide initiatives; and
1.20WHEREAS, David Davis has inspired students, families, colleagues, and communities through programs that
1.21use music to build empathy, confidence, collaboration, and cultural understanding, reinforcing the importance of public
1.22education in preparing students to thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world; and
1.23WHEREAS, the Minnesota Teacher of the Year program honors educators who demonstrate exceptional skill,
1.24leadership, and dedication to the teaching profession and to the success and well-being of Minnesota students; and
1.25NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it congratulates David
1.26Davis on being named the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, honors his extraordinary contributions to public
1.27education and music education, and expresses gratitude for his continued service to the students, families, and educators
1.28of Minnesota.
2.1BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled copy of
2.2this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate Rules and
2.3Administration Committee, and transmit it to David Davis.
1.2congratulating 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year David Davis.
1.3WHEREAS, David Davis, an instrumental and general music teacher at Park Spanish Immersion Elementary
1.4in St. Louis Park Public Schools, has been named the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, becoming the 62nd educator
1.5to receive Minnesota's highest teaching honor; and
1.6WHEREAS, David Davis is the first music educator to be named Minnesota Teacher of the Year since 1999,
1.7highlighting the essential role of arts education in fostering creativity, connection, cultural understanding, and student
1.8engagement; and
1.9WHEREAS, through innovative and culturally responsive teaching practices, David Davis has created music
1.10classrooms that center student voice, creativity, and belonging, empowering students to compose original music,
1.11collaborate with peers, and connect learning to their own identities and communities; and
1.12WHEREAS, David Davis has earned statewide and national recognition for excellence in teaching and
1.13educational leadership, including being the first Minnesotan named a semifinalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator
1.14Award, as well as receiving the Give A Note Foundation Music Education Innovator Award and Yamaha "40 Under
1.1540" recognition; and
1.16WHEREAS, David Davis has demonstrated a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and systemic improvement
1.17in public education through his leadership with the National Association for Music Education Council of Innovations,
1.18the Minnesota Department of Education's Culturally Responsive Arts Education cohort, Education Minnesota's Racial
1.19Equity Advocate program, and other statewide initiatives; and
1.20WHEREAS, David Davis has inspired students, families, colleagues, and communities through programs that
1.21use music to build empathy, confidence, collaboration, and cultural understanding, reinforcing the importance of public
1.22education in preparing students to thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world; and
1.23WHEREAS, the Minnesota Teacher of the Year program honors educators who demonstrate exceptional skill,
1.24leadership, and dedication to the teaching profession and to the success and well-being of Minnesota students; and
1.25NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it congratulates David
1.26Davis on being named the 2026 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, honors his extraordinary contributions to public
1.27education and music education, and expresses gratitude for his continued service to the students, families, and educators
1.28of Minnesota.
2.1BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled copy of
2.2this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate Rules and
2.3Administration Committee, and transmit it to David Davis.
| Tom BotternSecretary of the Senate | Erin P. MurphyChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration |
| Ron LatzState Senator, District 46 | Ann H. RestState Senator, District 43 |
| Julia E. ColemanState Senator, District 48 | Steve A. CwodzinskiState Senator, District 49 |
| Mary K. KuneshState Senator, District 39 |