Nomination Process

Each year a call for nominations is issued. Parents, students, administrators or colleagues are invited to nominate educators, coaches of academic and athletic teams who they believe make a difference in the lives of students. We encourage you to participate in the nomination process for the program by completing a nomination form for Teacher Achievement, Academic Challenge Coach, Athletic Coach or Ethics in Education.

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 an unrestricted $15,000 gift at the awards brunch in the spring. Regional honorees will receive an unrestricted $1,500 gift, trophy and the opportunity to compete in the state competition the following year.

Athletic Coach, Ethics in Education and Teacher Achievement applicants must have a current Minnesota teaching or administrator license. A Minnesota teaching license is not required for the Academic Challenge Coach category. 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 Form - WORD

The WEM Outstanding Educator Award program honors educators in five 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.

Academic Challenge Coach Awards

Recognize exemplary coaches of student teams that participate and compete in academic challenges approved by the Minnesota Academic League Council. Candidates demonstrate passion for students and the activity, encourage participation of students of all backgrounds and learning abilities, create a safe and harassment-free environment, and involve students in planning and decision-making. They uphold the ethical integrity of competition and model appropriate contest behavior at all times.

A Minnesota teaching license is not required for the Academic Challenge Coach category.

Athletic Coach Award

Recognizes an exemplary coach of student teams that participate and compete in athletic sports endorsed by the Minnesota State High School League. Candidates display a passion for students and the sport, encourage participation of students of all backgrounds and abilities, create a safe and harassment-free environment, and demonstrate good sportsmanship. They uphold the ethical integrity of competition and model appropriate behavior at all times. A Minnesota teaching license is required for the Athletic Coach category.

Ethics in Education Awards

Recognize exemplary educators who embody ethical behavior and promote ethical development for students through classroom or school activities, policies or curriculum. Candidates expose students to basic ethical principles to deepen student understanding, engage students in moral problem solving, stimulate dialogue, generate student moral action, and incorporate a well-designed and well-defined comprehensive standard of ethical behavior. They provide a bias-free assessment of students; foster autonomy and higher-level learning experiences; encourage families, staff and community members to partner in character-building efforts; and demonstrate leadership to enhance or restore values and ethics to school curriculum.

Excellence in Education Award

Created to celebrate and recognize superior contributions of educators whose leadership and dedication inspire a spirit of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities outside the traditional education system and classroom. Candidates for this award should exemplify the highest educational standards and methods by field practitioners. Qualities include, but are not limited to: professionalism and collegiality and the expertise to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities; dedication, knowledge and skill in a demonstrated distinguished educational practice; established high standards for themselves and their students, creating an environment conducive to learning; a commitment to students and their learning and has the respect and admiration of students, parents, community members and peers. (This award is not given every year and is awarded as a “lifetime achievement award.”)

FAQ’s

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

The program is sponsored by the WEM Foundation and administered by Synergy & Leadership Exchange (Synergy). There is no entrance fee or items to purchase. Honorees are awarded a trophy, one-year membership to Synergy and a monetary gift from the WEM foundation. There are no restrictions on your use or donation of this gift, though state and federal taxes do apply.

What does WEM stand for?

WEM is short for the WEM Foundation, a private foundation based in Minnesota. The benefactors wish to remain anonymous. The foundation established the recognition program in 1998 and partners with Synergy to administer the award.

What does the award include?

Honorees receive a trophy, one-year membership to Synergy and a monetary gift. Each state honoree receives $15,000 and each semi-finalist receives $1,500. The gifts presented to state honorees and semi-finalists are unrestricted in their use; honorees are given the option of donating any portion of the award to a cause of their choice. State and federal taxes apply to the award.

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. If you have been named a state WEM honoree in any category, you are no longer eligible to apply.

Do I have to be a licensed teacher?

Yes, you must have a current Minnesota teacher’s license for K–12 education. Except for applications in the Academic Challenge Coach category.

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 Ethics in Education 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. Semi-finalists automatically qualify for the subsequent year’s program.

Can I apply if I have already received a WEM Outstanding Educator award?

Semi-finalists are automatically eligible for the following year’s program. After one year’s time, prior semi-finalists must be nominated again to be eligible to apply. Those who have won a state award are no longer eligible to apply.

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 other than a regional WEM Outstanding Educator award.

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. Many candidates ask their nominator to write one of their three letters of recommendation.

Does the entire reflection need to be under 300-400 words, or is that word limit for each prompt?

The word limit of 300-400 words is for each prompt.

Can I use a previous application if I have been nominated before?

Yes, you are able to use a previous application for up to two years but it is recommended you review the materials for any changes that have been made to the program. It is to your benefit to update the information and materials you submit to give the judges the clearest, most current picture of you as an educator.

Can I send more than three letters of recommendation?

No, only three letters of recommendation will be included in the materials given to the WEM Blue Ribbon Panel.

Do I have to include a letter from my administrator?

Yes, one of your three letters of recommendation must be from a current administrator.

Can I include letters of recommendation that have previously been written on my behalf?

Yes, but letters of recommendation that specifically address the criteria of the category to which you have been nominated will give a clearer picture of you and may be more helpful in the review of your application.

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.

The Blue Ribbon Panel continues the extensive review and evaluation process in February and makes recommendations to Synergy for the state and regional honorees in each category. Synergy staff verifies credentials of the honorees and coordinates awards announcements by the end of May. Following the notification of the state honorees, regional honorees are notified by mid-June. At that time, honoree information is posted on the Synergy website and all applicants receive a nomination certificate and notification of the award winners.

What is the Excellence in Education Award?

Excellence in Education Award honorees have dedicated their lives to educating others. Many of these honorees do so outside the traditional classroom setting (see past honorees) and are not required to have a Minnesota teaching license for this award. Nominations of worthy candidates are accepted and reviewed by Synergy. Nominees do not complete an application, their lifetime of accomplishments, dedication to education and impact on others speaks for itself. Awards may not be given on an annual basis.

Judging Criteria

Judging Overview

Entries to the WEM Outstanding Educator Awards are sorted into categories based on the nomination/application criteria and evaluated using the WEM 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 WEM 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:

• Matt Lundeen is a middle school teacher at Redwood Valley Middle School in Redwood Falls. He also coaches football at Redwood Valley High School. Matt has been teaching and coaching for 20 years. View Press Release.

Regional Honoree:

• Kris DeMaris is an elementary physical education teacher at Madelia Elementary School. She also coaches cross country, golf and basketball. Kris has been coaching and teaching for 25 years.

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:

• Brandice Gordon is a middle school teacher at Kenwood Trail Middle School in Lakeville. She also coaches Science Olympiad. Brandice has been teaching and coaching for 22 years. View Press Release.

Regional honoree:

• Craig Larson is an elementary teacher at Falcon Ridge Elementary in New Prague. He also coaches Math Masters. Craig has been teaching and coaching for 6 years.

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:

• Melissa Sonnek serves as principal at Edgerton Elementary School in Maplewood. Melissa has 19 years of education experience. View Press Release.

• Tim Quealy is a high school language arts teacher at Avalon School in St. Paul. Tim has been teaching for 9 years. View Press Release.

Regional Honorees:

• Nafeesah Muhammad is a high school teacher at North High School in Minneapolis. Nafeesah has been teaching for 4 years.
• Michael Durchslag is a high school teacher at P.E.A.S.E. Academy in Minneapolis. Michael has been teaching for 23 years.

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

Statewide Honorees:

• Caroline Little is a high school French teacher at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights. Caroline has been teaching for 18 years. View Press Release.

• Melanie Olson is an elementary teacher at Parkside Elementary School in Buffalo. Melanie has been teaching for 14 years. View Press Release.

Regional Honorees:

• Monica Steinmetz is an elementary teacher at St. Francis of Assisi Grade School in Rochester. Monica has been teaching for 29 years.
• Billie Pace-Graczyk is a middle school teacher at Sandburg Middle School in Golden Valley. Billie has been teaching for 5 years.

Excellence in Education Award: This award celebrates and recognizes superior contributions of educators whose leadership and dedication inspire a spirit of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities outside the traditional education system and classroom.

• Adrienne Diercks is the founder and Executive Director of Project Success.