October 2, 2025

MASA Conference Remarks by Polaris Award Recipient Dr. Theresa Battle

We were proud to recognize Dr. Theresa Battle as the recipient of the Polaris Award at the Fall Conference. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, many were unable to hear her remarks during the event. The silver lining in this unfortunate situation is that it gives me the opportunity to share her inspiring words with all of you now.

From Dr. Battle:

“Thank you to MASA and committee members for selecting me as the Polaris award recipient. Thank you to Ehlers for sponsoring this award and supporting my work as a superintendent.

Praise and gratitude to Dr. Deb Henton for your leadership. You have steadfastly elevated the perspectives of rural, urban and suburban school administrators and advocated tirelessly for our work to serve children, families and communities.  You have been the epitome of a great leader who has successfully navigated an ever-changing educational landscape. I am grateful for you being a confidante and thought partner during my tenure as I worked as an administrator first in St. Paul and then during my tenure as an assistant superintendent and superintendent. I wish you all the best in your upcoming retirement.

As I reflect on my 40 years in education and receiving this award I know what has remained a constant in my career and has helped me to navigate the best of times and the worst of times. It is knowing my role is to be a servant leader, to be visionary and to tap into the virtuosities of my colleagues.

It is important to know that servant leadership is required to lead in a pluralistic society. At a recent Gala for my friend who was installed as a Bishop, AME church Bishop John Richard Bryant, a retired bishop of AME Church shared that the mindset of a servant leader should be guided by you, ‘Feeding the sheep, not the sheep feeding you. You should serve the least, the lost and the last.’

During my career I have asked and encouraged you to ask yourself. What are we trying to accomplish on behalf of kids? What are we trying to accomplish as part of a community? How am I sharing my virtuosities to accomplish these things?

Every person on your team has virtuosities, which are your expertise and talents. And everyone is needed for what they bring to the work. 

It is important for each of us to feel safe and supported in our vulnerabilities. Each of us is human and therefore we are not perfect. Knowledge is too vast and the students and families we educate and serve have uniqueness and are diverse. There is no way we can know everything that needs to be done on behalf of each child and family. 

Therefore, we must feel safe to share our vulnerabilities, to ask our teammates when there is something we don’t know.

Colleagues have supported me throughout my career and I am thankful.

Lastly, none of you should be apologetic about the salary and benefits you are getting as educational administrators. Your expertise, education and commitment to serve children and families and being on call 24/7 should be commended and celebrated. I hope you have a great school year.

Thanks again for bestowing the Polaris Award to me.”

Full Membership of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education Released

Daron Court – Minnesota Department of Education

Commissioner’s Designee

Rep. Kim Hicks – HD 25A

House Floor Leader Appointment

Dan Armagost – Southern Minnesota Education Consortium

House Speaker Appointment

Sen. Bonnie Westlin – SD 42

Senate Majority Appointment

Sen. Julia Coleman – SD 48

Senate Minority Appointment

John Carlson – Rochester Public Schools 

Governor’s Appointment with Demonstrated Expertise in Compliance with Legal Federal Special Education Requirements and Special Education Finance 

Krista Dillman – ISD 742, St Cloud 

Governor’s Appointment with Demonstrated Public Leadership, Cultural Responsiveness, and Innovation in the Area of Special Education 

Marcy Doud – Intermediate 287 

Governor’s Appointment with Expertise in Special Education Program Administration 

Laura Jean – PACER Center 

Governor’s Appointment with Demonstrated Public Leadership, Cultural Responsiveness, and Innovation in the Area of Special Education 

Justin Killian – Education Minnesota 

Governor’s Appointment with Demonstrated Public Leadership, Cultural Responsiveness, and Innovation in the Area of Special Education 

Melanie Kray – Southwest West Central Service Cooperative 

Governor’s Appointment with Expertise in Special Education Program Administration 

Erin Lavery – Indigo Education 

Governor’s Appointment with Expertise in Special Education Program Administration 

Cory McIntyre – Anoka-Hennepin School District 

Governor’s Appointment with Expertise in Special Education Program Administration 

Delia Samuel – Multicultural Autism Action Network 

Governor’s Appointment Parent/Family Advocate 

Ramona Springis-Doss – ISD 196, Rosemount-Eagan-Apple Valley 

Governor’s Appointment with Demonstrated Public Leadership, Cultural Responsiveness, and Innovation in the Area of Special Education 

Stacie Stanley – Saint Paul Public Schools 

Governor’s Appointment with Demonstrated Public Leadership, Cultural Responsiveness, and Innovation in the Area of Special Education 

• The first commission meeting will be held on October 8. A link to join the meeting virtually will be shared soon.

Leadership Matters!

“Great leaders are willing to sacrifice the numbers to save the people. Poor leaders sacrifice the people to save the numbers.” - Simon Sinek