Five women have been chosen as finalists for Albert Lea’s Teacher of the Year award for 2012.

The finalists are:

• Nichole Brownlee, a first-grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary School

• JoAnn Erickson, a social studies teacher at Albert Lea High School

• Wendy Greenfield, a seventh-grade history teacher at Southwest Middle School

• Kathie Lein, a special education teacher at Halverson Elementary School

• Kristen Seeger, a fourth-grade teacher at Sibley Elementary School

The winner will be announced at a ceremony at 3:30 p.m. April 11 in the commons area at Albert Lea High School. Two awards are given; the first is the Teacher of the Year award from the Albert Lea School District and the second is the Apple award from the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

Look to the Tribune for more information on the finalists in future editions.