Kay E. Jacobs Award
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