Awards and honors
Minnesota Teacher of the Year
The Minnesota Teacher of the Year program, now in its 62nd year, is the oldest and most prestigious recognition program in Minnesota to honor excellence in education.
Linda Wallenberg, an English teacher at Eden Prairie High School, was named the 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year at a May 4 recognition banquet.
ESP of the Year
Every year, Education Minnesota honors an education support professional (ESP) with our ESP of the Year Award.
Monica Eggert, a special education support professional in Rochester Public Schools, was named the 2025-26 ESP of the Year in a ceremony on Nov. 1, 2025.
Other awards
Education Minnesota Human Rights Award
Help us recognize the work of members on civil and human rights issues by nominating them for the Education Minnesota Human Rights Award!
Peterson-Schaubach Outstanding Leadership Award
The Peterson-Schaubach Outstanding Leadership Award is given annually to an Education Minnesota leader (local or state) who has made outstanding contributions to Education Minnesota or its locals through demonstration of Education Minnesota’s Statements of Principle.
Nominations must be made by a Governing Board member.
“We Are One” Solidarity Award
The “We Are One” Solidarity Award is given annually to an Education Minnesota local union or active member demonstrating outstanding or significant leadership in any of the following ways:
- Developing and implementing an organizing campaign.
- Expanding relationships with other unions and the AFL-CIO.
- Developing and implementing a member engagement campaign.
- Working collectively for the common good.
- Protecting or advocating for workers’ rights.
- Extending the benefits of a union by organizing the unorganized.
NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence
The NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence recognize, reward and promote excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession.
NEA Human and Civil Rights Award
This award honors individuals and organizations who have expanded educational opportunities for students who have been traditionally marginalized, and those who have advanced and expanded human and civil rights in their communities.
