Kay E. Jacobs Award

The nominee of this award must be an active or associate female member of MASA, must have demonstrated the attributes of leadership and involvement in MASA and other educational organizations as did Kay E. Jacobs prior to her death. This award is presented at the Annual Spring Conference.

Stay tuned for nominations for the 2025-26 school year!

Proudly sponsored by PMA Financial Network.

Background

The Kay E Jacobs Memorial Award recognizes excellent educational leadership of a female MASA member. Kay Jacobs was the Assistant Superintendent for the Mahtomedi Schools at the time of her death in an auto accident, in March 1979. She was a four-year MASA member, serving on the Legislative Committee and as Chair of Management Concerned for Public Education. In January, 1979, the MASA President appointed her to serve on the Metropolitan Ad Hoc Legislative Committee, working with the Minnesota School Boards Association.

Kay belonged to Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Delta Kappa, and SCOLIA. She was a member of the American Association of School Administrators and the American Educational Research Association. As a member of the Minnesota Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, she served as Director of the Executive Board, and chaired the State Board/State Department of Education Committee.

Just before her death, she was nominated through a national screening process for membership in the 38th Annual Superintendents Work Conference at Teachers College, Columbia University. This is a distinct honor because only 45 outstanding chief school officers from school systems throughout the United States had been invited to participate.

Selection Criteria

The nominee:

Must have demonstrated the attributes of leadership and involvement in MASA and other educational organizations as did Kay E. Jacobs prior to her death.
Must be an active or associate female member of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.

Selection Procedure

Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by any MASA member.
Applications must be filed by January 15, 2024 on the approved nomination form.
The Executive Committee will review the nomination form which may be accompanied by a maximum of three (3) letters of support and select the recipient no later than February 5.
The recipient will be contacted prior to Spring Conference.

The Award

The award will be presented during the MASA annual Spring Conference.
The recipient will receive a smaller plaque.
A news release will be distributed to pertinent media in the coverage area of the recipient.

Recipients of the Kay E. Jacobs Award

2025
Dr. Emily McDonald, Assistant Superintendent, Lakeville Area Public Schools

2024
Dr. Ann-Marie Foucault, Superintendent, St. Michael-Albertville School District

2023
Lisa Sayles Adams, Superintendent, Eastern Carver County Public Schools

2022
Teri Staloch, Superintendent, Prior Lake Savage Area Schools

2021
Laine Larson, Superintendent, Brainerd Public Schools

2020
Sandra Lewandowski, Superintendent, Intermediate School District 287

2019
Cindy Amoroso, Superintendent, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

2018
Julia Espe, Superintendent, Princeton Public Schools

2017
Julie Critz, Superintendent, Alexandria School District

2016
Jennifer Hegna, Director of Info. & Learning Technology, Byron Public Schools

2015
Beth Giese, Superintendent, Cannon Falls Area Schools

2014
Deb Henton, Superintendent, North Branch Area Public Schools

2013
Jean Lubke, Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Rochester Public Schools

2012
Ann Wendorff, Superintendent, Heron Lake-Okabena/SW Star Concept Schools

2011
Virginia Dahlstrom, Superintendent, Wadena-Deer Creek Public Schools

2010
No recipient

2009
Darcy Josephson, Principal of Employee Devlopment, Redwood Area Schools

2008
Chris Bates, Superintendent, Pine Island Schools

2007
Jeff Olson, Superintendent, Saint Peter Public Schools

2006
David Bottem, Superintendent, Barnum Schools

2005
Jim Johnson, Superintendent, Monticello Schools

2004
Patty Phillips, Superintendent, Virginia Schools

2003
David Thompson, Superintendent, Stewartville Schools

2002
David Pace, Superintendent, Breckenridge-Campbell-Tintah Schools

2001
Kim Marie Riesgraf, Director, Osseo Area Schools

2000
Fred Nolan, Superintendent, Eden Valley-Watkins Schools

1998
Joel Whitehurst, Superintendent, W-E-M School District

1997
Kathryn Leedom, Superintendent, Willmar Schools

1996
Kay Worner, Superintendent, Sartell-St. Stephen Schools

1995
Richard D. Ellingworth, Superintendent, Redwood Area Schools

1994
James Wold

1993
Wendy Shannon, Superintendent, Byron Public Schools

1992
John Staples

1991
Beverly Stofferahn

1990
Dixie Anderson

1989
Sharon Paulson

1988
Donna Jean Carter

1987
Monica Kittock-Sargent

1986
Patricia Mohn

1985
Patricia L. Hanauer

1984
Leila Anderson

Kay E. Jacobs Award