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 2025 Lois Engstrom Leadership Award is DaNeil Sirjord. Ms. Sirjord began her career in education in 1989, serving young children and families in a variety of roles—from leading a parent cooperative nursery school to teaching preschool, ECFE, and learning readiness classes. Driven by a passion for high-quality early education, she dedicated her work to expanding access and excellence for families across northeastern Minnesota. Her leadership has had a lasting impact on early childhood education throughout the region. 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 2025 Emerging Leader Award recipients are Larissa Kiel and Danielle Stein 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 2025 Friend of the Year Award is Amy Koch. Amy Koch was honored as MNAFEE Friend of the Year for her impactful work advancing MNAFEE’s advocacy efforts on behalf of children, parents, and families across Minnesota. The award recognizes individuals who strengthen publicly funded early childhood and parenting education programs. A principal at Momentum Advocacy, Ms. Koch has worked with MNAFEE since 2022 and played a key role in securing two full-time ECFE support positions at the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families—an important investment in ECFE programs statewide. 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 recipient of the 2025 Innovative Programming award is ¡Bienvenido Bebés! (Welcome Babies!), a collaborative effort between St. Paul Public Schools ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) and Ramsey County Public Health. Previous winners of the Innovative Programming Award
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