Vice President Marty Fridgen
Marty Fridgen was elected vice president of Education Minnesota at the 2025 Representative Convention. She took office on July 1, 2025, and is serving a three-year term.
Fridgen is a 27-year licensed vocal and classroom teacher who has also worked in student support positions in both rural and urban school districts.
Raised in central Minnesota by two public school employees—a custodian and an elementary teacher—who were active in their unions, Fridgen learned the value of collective action from a young age.
She has a wealth of union leadership experience at the local, state and national levels. She has served in multiple positions on the Education Minnesota Governing Board and on several Education Minnesota committees, including the Executive Committee, Budget and Finance Committee, Human Rights Committee, Elections Committee and more. Fridgen is a delegate to the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation and the Minnesota AFL-CIO state conventions.
Nationally, Fridgen has served as a delegate for the AFT, NEA and AFL-CIO conventions, on the NEA Board of Directors and on the AFT Women’s Rights Committee. Locally, she has served as Metro Area Council President and as president of United Teachers of South Washington County.
As vice president, Fridgen looks forward to building stronger relationships with the broader labor community and empowering locals to advocate for their professions, students and communities.
Professional teaching experience
- Elementary music teacher, South Washington County
Education
- M.S. Education, Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Bachelor of Music, Music Education, University of Minnesota, Duluth
Personal
Fridgen lives in the east metro area. A second-generation educator, her parents were both public school employees — a custodian and an elementary teacher — and also active in their unions.
