Polaris Leadership Award

    Polaris Leadership Award

    The nominee of this award must be a current active or associate member of MASA, an exemplary school leader with twenty or more years of administrative experience. This award is presented at the MASA Fall Conference.

    Stay Tuned for Nomination Info!

    MASA, with the support of Ehlers, Inc., is pleased to sponsor the Polaris Leadership Award, presented each fall in recognition of exemplary school leadership by an MASA member with twenty or more years of administrative experience.


    The Award

    The award is presented at the MASA Fall Conference.

    The recipient receives a recognition plaque and a monetary award.

    The recipient will be asked to address the conference attendees.

    A news release will be distributed to pertinent media in the coverage area of the recipient.

    Selection Procedure

    Nominees may be self-nominated or nominated by another member of MASA.

    Nominations must be made on the official MASA form available through the MASA office by the deadline date noted on the form.

    The MASA Executive Committee will select an annual recipient.

    Section Criteria

    The recipient must be a current active or associate member of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.

    The recipient will have at least twenty years of successful educational administrative experience. Administrative experience may include the principalship, central office administration, and/or the superintendency.

    The recipient shall have demonstrated the following attributes or characteristics throughout their career:

    • professional courage leading to positive change
    • creation of a legacy of excellent leadership
    • a lifelong career contribution of commitment to excellence on behalf of all students
    • exemplifying positive reasons that a person would choose to practice
    • fostering innovation and ideas that make a difference for students and the school community
    • a lifetime of balanced achievement inside and outside of education
    • contribution to the practice of educational leadership through example and mentoring
    • exemplary conduct reflecting integrity and bearing emulation
    • significant tenure in each position to support district vision and affect positive change.

    Recipients of the Polaris Leadership Award

    2025

    Dr. Theresa Battle, Superintendent, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

    2024

    Dr. Bruce Jensen, Executive Director, Northwest Service Cooperative​

    2023

    Larry Guggisberg, Superintendent, Greenbush Middle River School District | News Release

    2022

    Sandra Lewandowski, Superintendent, Intermediate District 287 | News Release

    2021

    David Krenz, Superintendent, Austin Public Schools | News Release

    2020

    Jeff Olson, Superintendent, Saint Peter Public Schools

    2019

    Gerald Ness, Superintendent, Fergus Falls Public Schools

    2018

    Lynne Kovash, MASA Retiree, Retired Superintendent, Moorhead Area Public Schools

    2017

    Karen Orcutt, Superintendent, Orono Public Schools

    2016

    James Hess, Superintendent, Bemidji Area Schools

    2015

    Chris Richardson, Superintendent, Northfield Public Schools

    2014

    Jerald Nesland, Executive Director, Freshwater Education District

    2013

    Ric Dressen, Superintendent, Edina Public Schools

    2012

    Wendy Shannon, Retired Superintendent, Byron Public Schools

    2011

    Jack Almos, Retired Superintendent, Hinckley-Finlayson Public Schools

    2010

    Harold Remme, Superintendent, New Ulm Public Schools

    2009

    Greg Vandal, Superintendent, Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools

    2008

    Roger Giroux, Superintendent, Anoka-Hennepin School District