MNAFEE Annual Awards
In 2020, the MNAFEE Board of Directors announced the formation of annual awards to recognize the contributions made to the field of early childhood and parent education. There are three individual awards and a category for innovative program awards.
The Lois Engstrom Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has made dynamic contributions to advance the goals and principles of parent education, Early Childhood Family Education, and early childhood programming locally and throughout Minnesota.
We are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 Lois Engstrom Leadership Award is Michelle Berscheid. Michelle Berscheid knew as early as 8th grade that she wanted a career in early childhood education. Now, over nearly three decades, Ms. Berscheid has embraced a wide range of roles—each one deepening her impact. From Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), to curriculum development connecting adult literacy and language learning with early education, to home visiting, family literacy coordination and teaching in Robbinsdale Area Schools, she has consistently sought opportunities to grow, lead, and serve. Read the full press release here. Previous winners of the Lois Engstrom Leadership Award
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The Emerging Leader Award identifies rising leaders employed under five years in the fields of parent education, Early Childhood Family Education and/or early childhood programming in public schools in Minnesota. It recognizes and cultivates the talent of champions who have the potential to influence the field of early learning for years to come. The selected honoree will have demonstrated contributions that have started to influence beyond individual programs to organizations and communities, a proven passion for developing themselves and others, active engagement in efforts to elevate the early childhood field, and demonstrated persistence in their work to grow as leaders. We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Emerging Leader Award recipients are Say Klo Paw, Sara Erickson and Danny O'Brien. Previous winner of the Emerging Leader Award
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The Friend of the Year Award is presented to an individual, group, or organization who has made significant contributions to the fields of parent education, Early Childhood Family Education, and/or early childhood programming in public schools in Minnesota and thereby has been a champion for young children, parents and/or families, and/or the publicly funded programs that serve them. The award is presented to acknowledge MNAFEE's appreciation of contributions to children, parents and families and/or the publicly funded programs that serve them.
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Friend of the Year Award is Northland Foundation. Northland Foundation was named MNAFEE Friend of the Year in acknowledgment of their decades of work in rural Northeast Minnesota and neighboring Native nations. With the support and collaboration of many partners at the local, regional, state and national levels, the Northland Foundation provides funding, programs, learning opportunities, and more to help families, child care providers, educators, and other professionals serving children and families. Read the full press release here. Previous winners of the Friend of the Year Award
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The Innovative Programming Award is presented to outstanding projects that exemplify the vision/mission of MNAFEE and are innovative approaches to addressing a community need through cooperation and teamwork amongst individuals and/or organizations, and use of resources. The project could be a one-time event or an ongoing activity that is associated with a parent education, Early Childhood Family Education and/or public school preschool in Minnesota. Its focus could be on children, parents, families or professionals.
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Innovative Programming award are: Hybrid Model for ECFE Parent Education, Lake Superior School District - Silver Bay (small district) and Enhancement Program, Saint Cloud Area School District 742 Early Childhood Programs (large district). Previous winners of the Innovative Programming Award
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