Superintendent of the Year Nomination

The Superintendent of the Year program pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead our state’s public schools. Any superintendent, chancellor, or top leader of a school system in Minnesota who plans to continue in the profession may be nominated.

Each candidate for the National Superintendent of the Year Award must first be named by their state association as the State Superintendent of the Year.

Each State Superintendent of the Year is judged on the following criteria:

Leadership for Learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system.
Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication.
Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team.
Community Involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues.

The nomination deadline for the 2026 award is August 31, 2025.

Application deadline for nominees: September 21, 2025.

This award is proudly sponsored by ATSR.

The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. The recipient of this prestigious honor will represent Minnesota as a candidate for the AASA National Superintendent of the Year award. The national winner will be announced at the AASA National Conference on Education, taking place February 12–14, 2026, in Nashville.

The program pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead our state’s public schools. Any superintendent, chancellor, or top leader of a school system in Minnesota who plans to continue in the profession may be nominated. This program is designed to recognize the outstanding leadership of active, front-line superintendents.

Each candidate for the National Superintendent of the Year Award must first be named by their state association as the State Superintendent of the Year.

Each State Superintendent of the Year is judged on the following criteria:

Leadership for Learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system.
Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication.
Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team.
Community Involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues.

Please nominate your superintendent at http://soy.aasa.org. Click on the NOMINATE button. The nomination deadline is August 31, 2025.

This award is proudly sponsored by ATSR.

For further information contact:

For further information contact:

Taylor Ethen, Executive Assistant
MASA – Minnesota Association of School Administrators
Phone: 651-789-4062
taylor.ethen@mnasa.org

Jennifer Rooney, Assistant Director, Meetings & Awards

AASA – The School Superintendents Association
1615 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-875-0709
jrooney@aasa.org

Recipients of the Minnesota Superintendent of the Year Award

2025

Laurie Putnam, Superintendent, St. Cloud Area School District | News Release

2024

Joe Gothard, Superintendent, Saint Paul Public Schools | News Release

2023

Matthew Hillmann, Superintendent of Northfield Public Schools | News Release

2022

Michael Funk, Superintendent of Albert Lea Area Schools | News Release

2021

Wayne Kazmierczak, White Bear Lake Area School District | News Release

2020

David Law, Anoka-Hennepin School District

2019

Jay Haugen, Farmington Area Public Schools

2018

Deb Henton, North Branch Area Schools

2017

Curt Tryggestad, Eden Prairie Schools

2016

Daniel Bittman, Sauk Rapids-Rice School District

2015

Sandra Lewandowski, Intermediate District 287

2014

Kate Maguire, Osseo Area Schools

2013

Jeff Olson, Saint Peter Public Schools

2012

Chris Richardson, Northfield Public Schools

2011

Scott Staska, Rocori Public Schools

2010

Patty Phillips, No. St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District

2009

Dennis Peterson, Minnetonka Public Schools

2008

Mark Robertson, Fridley Public Schools

2007

Don Helmstetter, Spring Lake Park Schools

2006

Gary Prest, Bloomington Public Schools

2005

Ben Kanninen, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

2004

Kay Worner, Sartell-St. Stephen Schools

2003

Ken Dragseth, Edina Public Schools

2002

Carol Johnson, Minneapolis Public Schools

2001

Theodore Blaesing, White Bear Lake Schools

2000

Laverne (Bob) Lageson, Big Lake Public Schools

1999

Michael L. Kremer, Hopkins Public Schools

1998

Gregory A. Vandal, Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools

1997

Chris L. Huber, Spring Lake Park Schools

1996

James R. Rickabaugh, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District

1995

Donald Groth, Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools

1994

Lowell D. Larson, Richfield Public Schools

1993

Marl Ramsey, Osseo Area Schools

1992

John R. McClellan, Centennial School District

1991

James R. Walker, North Branch Area Schools

1990

Donald R. Draayer, Minnetonka Public Schools

1989

Gerald L. McCoy, Eden Prairie Public Schools

1988

Glenn G. Matejka, Hutchinson Public Schools