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Nominations are now being received for the Coleen Yatchoske Minnesota Middle Level Educator of the Year Award, sponsored by the Minnesota Middle School Association. The person chosen as Minnesota Middle Level Educator of the Year will represent many educators who daily touch the lives of young adolescents. The nominee must exhibit evidence of exceptional skill and dedication, be active in his/her community, believe in the worth and dignity of every person, and model true professionalism.
To be eligible for this award, the nominee must be a teacher, counselor, paraprofessional, or administrator in a Minnesota educational organization encompassing some combination of grades 5-9. Anyone may nominate an educator for this award. Nominations are due no later than March 15, 2026. A complete packet will be mailed to the nominated educator on April 1, 2026 to begin the selection process. The winner will be introduced at the Minnesota Middle School Association State Conference in December.
Submit an Application Today!
Submit an Application Today!
About the award
About the award
The Coleen Yatchoske Middle Level Educator of the Year Award is sponsored by the Minnesota Middle School Association (MMSA). Coleen Yatchoske was a strong advocate for middle level education and instrumental in the creation of MMSA. The Middle Level Educator of the Year Award provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding middle level educators and to call attention to the importance of this profession.
Colleen Yatckoske Educator of the Year
Colleen Yatckoske Educator of the Year
Past Award Recipients:
1986 Dennis Psick - North Branch Middle School
1987 Larry Putbrese - St. Cloud State University
1988 Cheryl Hoversten - St. Francis Middle School
1989 Ed Schramm - Milaca Middle School
1990 Mike Ennis - Central Junior High School, Alexandria
1991 Muriel Robinson-Nunn - Grand View Middle School, Mound
1992 (tie) Pat Jones - Orono Middle School
1992 (tie) Richard Truman - Fairmont Middle School
1993 Cris Anderson, Fergus Falls
1994
1995 Chris Kragenbring - Discovery Middle School, Alexandria
1996 Catherine Kurdziel - St. Francis
1997 Linda Huff - Pequot Lakes Middle School
1998 Mark Fodness - Bemidji Middle School
1999 Dick Rominski - Delano Middle School
2000 Patricia Hughes - Kelliher Secondary School
2001 Gail Singsank - Watertown-Mayer Middle School
2002 Roxie Erlandson-Vik - John Adams Middle School, Rochester
2003 Debbie Trewartha - New Prague Middle School
2004 (no recipient due to national conference)
2005 Colleen Vollmers - Detroit Lakes Middle School
2006 Dar Brandt – Mankato East Junior High
2007 Maureen Haqq – Highview Middle School
2008 Kathy Recor – Orono Middle School
2009 Scott Prescott – Pioneer Ridge Middle School
2010 John Larson – Highview Middle School
2011 Michelle Terry - South View Middle School, Edina
2012 Kim Campbell - Hopkins West Middle School
2013
2014 Jody Anderson - Deer River High School
2015 Cheryl Howe - Woodbury
2016 Janet Jans - South View Middle School, Edina
2017 Wendy Whitmore - Buffalo Middle School
2018 Carrie Schmitz - Albany
2019 Janine Olson - Eden Prairie
2020 Laurie Schmidt - Jordan
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