MNAFEE Awards

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 announced the recipient of the 2024 Lois Engstrom Leadership Award is Nancy Wallace.

Nancy has been an outstanding leader and innovator as Coordinator of the St. Francis School District ECFE and other early learning programs for over 30 years and has been significant “go to” resource and leader of numerous statewide professional development initiatives of the Minnesota Departments of Education (MDE) and Human Services. These include:

Training leader in statewide use of Work Sampling Assessment and the Ounce Scale for Infants and Toddlers.
Leader in creation of the original Early Childhood Indicators of Progress.
Leader in the development of the first Parent Education Core Curriculum Framework and in the current revision.
Creator and presenter of many of the MDE ECFE and School Readiness Regional In service Workshops over the years.

Nancy has served on the MNAFEE Board for many years where she provides significant contributions as chair of the Nominating Committee and the Awards Committee.
As one of her colleagues said, “Nancy exemplifies what it means to be a leader. Nancy’s ability to be supportive, provide freedom to grow, maintain high standards and model the importance of relationships are among the many qualities she has.”
Another colleague described Nancy as “a passionate advocate for education and commitment to fostering an environment that promotes excellence.”
Nancy exemplifies everything that Lois valued and is eminently qualified to receive this award in her memory.

Previous winners of the Lois Engstrom Leadership Award

2020: Given posthumously to Lois Engstrom, accepted by her daughter Kim. Also honored, Betty Cooke for her years of outstanding service.
2021: Beth Archer
2022: Sally Nault-Maurer, Osseo Area Schools
2023: Susan Stoner
2024: Nancy Wallace, retired Early Childhood Family Education Program Supervisor from St. Francis Area Schools Read More about the award and recipient.
2025: Who will it be?

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 2024 Friend of the Year Award are Representative Dan Wolgamott and Senator Aric Putnam.

For years, MNAFEE's Advocacy Committee lobbied for the establishment of two full-time support positions at the Department of Education to bolster ECFE programs statewide. Senator Aric Putnam's and Representative Dan Wolgamott's commitment to championing the cause of children, families, and public education was exemplified through their roles as chief authors of the bill in the Senate and House. Their dedication and advocacy resonated with their colleagues on both sides of the aisle, ultimately leading to the measure’s passage and inclusion in the Education Omnibus bill.

"MNAFEE is honored to recognize Senator Putnam and Representative Wolgamott as Friends of the Year," stated Michelle Berscheid, Board Chair of MNAFEE. "Their steadfast support for ECFE reflects their unwavering dedication to the well-being of our families and community."

The establishment of these support positions marks a substantial investment in the future of Early Childhood Family Education programs statewide. The increased collaboration and partnership facilitated at the state level furthers the mission of MNAFEE to promote, advocate for, and strengthen parenting education, Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), and early childhood programming in public schools.

Previous winners of the Friend of the Year Award

2020: Susan Hoch, Oleanna Books
2021: Linda Vukelich from MNAFEE
2022: The Elders for Infants group (Members of this group are: Glenace Edwall, Dave Ellis, Sandy Heidemann, Jane Kretzmann, Jim Nicholie, Glen Palm, Mary Kay Stranik, and Katie Williams.)
2023: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
2024: Senator Aric Putnam and Representative Dan Wolgamott Read More about the award and recipients.
2025: Who will it be? Nominate a friend or colleague today!

The Innovative Programming Award is presented to at least two 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. It's focus could be on children, parents, families or professionals.

In 2024, we recognize four exemplary projects:

Early ID Grant Project - The primary goal of this collaboration is to increase the number of three year old's screened while decreasing the number of children entering kindergarten unscreened and possibly unidentified. Melissa Denning from St. Francis accepted the award.
Raising a Reader Early Literacy Program - Supporting Family Attachment practices through the implementation of the Raising a Reader Program which is based on a national model. This takes place through the reading of take home book bags and school based parent/child activities. Beth Achter, From Lakes Country Service Cooperative, and Deb Berry, who was instrumental in developing the program accepted the award.
Newborn Baby Talk Program - Based on a class focused on the unique needs of parents with newborns. It is offered all year-round, sibling care is provided and there is no need to register. Families connect with one another, get questions answered and receive support. Ellen Haefner and Sara Line from Northfield Early Childhood accepted the award.
Support on Site (SOS) Employee Engagement Partnership - A collaborative effort with Willmar Early Childhood programs and local businesses providing support to working parents and those from diverse cultural backgrounds. By introducing SOS Parents, Parent Educators visited workplaces to address parents questions and needs and they were able to promote early childhood education. Hunter Pagel from Jennie O Turkey Store and Jodi Wambeke, & Vicki Henle from Jefferson Learning Center in WIllmar Schools accepted the award.

Previous winners of the Innovative Programming Award

2022: PEERFECT - The program was developed by Dr. Susan Walker at the University of Minnesota.
2024: Newborn Baby Talk - A program of Northfield Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE). Read More about the award and recipient.
2024: The Raising a Reader Early Literacy Program from the Lakes Country Service Cooperative Brandon-Evansville Pilot. Read More about the award and recipient.
2024: The Support on Site (SOS) Employee Engagement Partnership from Willmar Public Schools Early Childhood programs. Read More about the award and recipient.
2024: The Early ID Grant from Centennial, Spring Lake Park and Saint Francis Area School districts, with funding provided by the Anoka County Children and Family Council. Read More about the award and recipient.

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.

Unfortunately, The Awards Committee did not receive any nominations for the 2024 Emerging Leader Award. Please consider nominating someone for this award in 2025.

Previous winner of the Emerging Leader Award

2023: Amal Omar-Samatar, Licensed Parent Educator, Minneapolis Public Schools.
2025: Who will it be? Nominate a friend or colleague today!