Application Process

Nominated educators are invited to complete an application. Following review by a preliminary evaluation panel, the applications are evaluated by a Blue Ribbon independent panel of judges representing business and academia. Panelists adhere to specific judging criteria while selecting state honorees.

State honorees will receive a crystal apple and be celebrated at the annual MSC Conference held in October.

You are encouraged to apply to more than one category, if applicable; however, a separate application is required for each category.

Application Form

Application Form - PDF

Application Formm - Word

The Outstanding Educator Award program honors educators in three areas:

Teacher Achievement Awards

Recognize exemplary teachers who support, inspire and assist students to attain greater learning as evidenced by student achievement. Candidates demonstrate exceptional command of their subject area; keep course content current by integrating new technology, research and innovations; support active, hands-on and continuous learning for all students; and effectively use differentiated instruction. They facilitate parental and community involvement in the classroom, incorporate student-developed goals and plans for achievement, display leadership and perform professional service outside of the classroom, and have commendable professional educational accomplishments.

Coach Awards

Recognizes exemplary coaches of student teams that participate and compete in academic challenges approved by the Minnesota Academic League Council and coaches of student teams that participate and compete in athletic sports endorsed by the Minnesota State High School League and/or individual school coach endorsements. Candidates demonstrate passion for students and the activity or sport, encourage participation of students of all backgrounds and learning abilities, create a safe and harassment-free environment, , and communicates a clear philosophy for acceptable behavior that balances winning with resiliency, growth and learning. They uphold the ethical integrity of the competition and model appropriate contest behavior at all times.

Educational Leadership

Recognizes exemplary administrators who embody ethical behavior and demonstrate leadership that promotes values, ethics and diverse perspectives in the school curriculum, policy and culture. Candidates encourage and support student and staff moral action and leadership, incorporating school, family and community. They encourage a safe and harassment-free environment that allows students and staff to practice, succeed, fail and receive feedback and encouragement.

FAQ’s

Is this program legitimate, are there strings attached, do I have to purchase something to apply?

The program is administered by Synergy & Leadership Exchange (Synergy). Synergy & Leadership Exchange is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, a program of the South Central Service Cooperative. There is no entrance fee or items to purchase.

What does the award include?

Each state honoree (three are chosen) receives an award and invitiation to attend the MSC conference held in October.

Why should I apply for this award?

The application process offers the opportunity for an educator to reflect on their teaching and honor their accomplishments as well as those of their students, colleagues and school.

Who nominated me for this award?

Nominations may be placed by students, parents, colleagues, administrators or other community members. You may request the name of your nominator from Synergy, though some nominators choose to remain anonymous.

Can I be nominated more than once?

Yes, you can be nominated each year and for more than one category.

Do I have to be a licensed teacher?

Yes, you must have a current Minnesota teacher’s license for K–12 education.

Do I have to be actively teaching to apply?

Individuals with a current teaching license who are teaching in some capacity, whether full-time or part-time, may be nominated and are eligible to apply.

Can I apply if I am an administrator?

Administrators are eligible for an Educational Leadership award.

Can I apply more than once?

You are eligible to apply to more than one category (as appropriate) each year you have been nominated unless you have been named a state honoree in the past.

Can I apply if I have received other teaching honors/recognitions?

Yes, unless you have received a substantial monetary award in conjunction with any past honor.

Why do nominees complete the application and not the person who placed the nomination?

This process allows for a more in-depth look at the candidate through the applicant’s personal reflection and additional information that may not be known to the nominator.

Can I send more than one letter of recommendation?

No, only one letter of recommendation will be included in the materials given to the Blue Ribbon Panel.

How should I submit my application?

Synergy prefers you submit your application via email to synergy@synergyexchange.org. Materials should be sent as PDF or Word documents. Applications will also be accepted by mail to Synergy & Leadership Exchange, 2075 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003. If applications are mailed, please do not bind or staple. Applications must arrive by the due date.

What happens after I submit my application?

You will receive email notification of receipt of your application. Synergy will review the application to confirm that all requested information is included. You will be contacted by Synergy if information is missing.

After the application deadline, a panel begins the preliminary evaluation process. All applications are reviewed and evaluated according to the criteria for each category; the highest scoring applications move to a final round of judging by a Blue Ribbon Panel.

Judging Criteria

Judging Overview

Entries to the Outstanding Educator Awards are sorted into categories based on the nomination/application criteria and evaluated using the Blue Ribbon Panel Judging Rubric specific to that category. There are two rounds of judging, a preliminary round and a finalist round.

In the preliminary round, a panel composed of leaders in education and business reviews all of the entries in the category to which they are assigned. Applications scoring at a predetermined rubric score or higher advance to the finalist round.

In the finalist round of judging, the panel reads, scores, ranks and discusses the merits of the finalists to determine its recommendations for the state and regional honorees in each category. After the panel has made its recommendations, Synergy completes a check of references and licensure (if applicable).

Judges

Judges for the Outstanding Educator Awards are volunteers who serve without compensation. They are experienced practitioners who are committed to quality education and the recognition of outstanding educators.

All judges are given an orientation, including a review of the scoring criteria.

Preliminary panels review all submissions for their respective categories. Finalists from each category are reviewed a second time by different panelists, discussed, ranked and a final selection determined. At the discretion of the panel and Synergy, regional awards may not be given in every category. Judging panels are assembled anew each year with an emphasis on expertise and a mix of new and returning individuals on each panel.

Judging Ethics

For the award process to be effective, Synergy expects fairness and objectivity from all panelists. The background and relationship of all judges to any applicants is reviewed in panel placement to avoid conflicts of interest. Judges also sign a Confidentiality/Conflict of Interest Statement.

Confidentiality

All entry documentation is treated as confidential.

Past Honorees

Athletic Coach Award: This award recognizes an exemplary coach of student teams that participate and compete in athletic sports endorsed by the Minnesota State High School League.

Statewide Honoree:

• Sean Keating is a high school biology and chemistry teacher at St. Peter High School in St. Peter. He also coaches boys’ basketball. Sean has been teaching and coaching for 11 years. View Press Release

Academic Challenge Coach Award: This award recognizes coaches of student teams who participate and compete in academic challenge or enrichment programs endorsed by the Minnesota Academic League Council.

Statewide Honoree:

• Joshua is a high school economics and business teacher at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. He also coaches DECA. Joshua has been teaching and coaching for eight years. View Press Release

Ethics in Education Award: This award recognizes educators who exemplify ethical behavior for the teaching profession and promote ethical practices and development for their students through classroom activities or curriculum.

Statewide Honorees:

• Judith Bartel is a high school and middle school teacher at Hill-Murray School in Maplewood. Judith has been teaching for 31 years. View Press Release

• Verna Wong is a high school English teacher at Champlin Park High School in Champlin. Verna has been teaching for 12 years. View Press Release

Teacher Achievement Award: This award recognizes teachers who support, inspire and assist students to achieve despite barriers to learning.

Statewide Honorees:

• Rebecca Goossens is a high school accounting teacher at Triton High School in Dodge Center. Rebecca has been teaching for 10 years. View Press Release

• Mary Hoffmann is an agriculture high school teacher at Sleepy Eye High School in Sleepy Eye. Mary has been teaching for 26 years. View Press Release