The Hedin Hartnagel Memorial Fund is Proud to Celebrate Outstanding Educators and Staff in Our Red Wing Public Schools!
Watch the video and learn more about the Elizabeth Hedin Award for Educator Excellence!
About the Award:
The Elizabeth Hedin Award for Educator Excellence was established by Douglas Hedin in honor of his mother, Lydia Elizabeth Hedin, an educator and Red Wing Public Schools Board Member.
Launched in 2025, this recognition was created to award and inspire outstanding educators and school staff in the Red Wing Public Schools by annually honoring two exemplary individuals with an unrestricted award of $10,000 each. The award recognizes the profound and lasting impact that these educators and support staff have on their students, peers, and the community.
The Elizabeth Hedin Award for Educator Excellence:
Honors and rewards outstanding preK-12 educators and school staff for their teaching quality, professional leadership, engagement with families and the community, and potential for further contributions to students’ healthy development.
Raises public awareness about the importance of excellent educators and critical school staff.
Encourages capable, caring, and creative individuals to pursue the challenge, service, and excitement of a career in education.
Thank you to all who nominated a deserving teacher this award cycle!
The 2026 award cycle will be open from March 1 to April 1, 2026.
Congratulations to Our 2026 Award Winners!
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Amy Pearson’s career spans over 41 years of dedicated service to the Red Wing School District. To put that into perspective, she has shaped the lives of more than 1,025 students. Her classroom has been a launchpad for generations of young learners, where she focuses not just on academics, but on helping every child become the best version of themselves. She is the heartbeat of Sunnyside School, and her "can-do" spirit is legendary.
She also works tirelessly to write grants to ensure her first graders can experience the world through field trips that would otherwise go unfunded.
What’s more, Amy Pearson is the "go-to" for first-year teachers and a sought-after mentor for college interns. She takes on this extra workload with no financial incentive, driven solely by her desire to strengthen the teaching profession. She is a fierce advocate for teachers’ needs, always ensuring their voices are heard and their mission remains clear.
Her firsthand knowledge and decades of experience are, quite simply, indispensable to Sunnyside School teachers, students and staff.
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Lisa Hanson exemplifies excellence in work performance through her exceptional teaching, unwavering dedication to students, and lasting impact on the Red Wing school community. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated remarkable adaptability, teaching primarily health and physical education while also supporting a variety of alternative learning classes, health classes at the Minnesota Correctional Facility–Red Wing, and even social studies courses when needed. Her willingness to step into diverse roles reflects both her versatility and her commitment to meeting the needs of all learners.
Lisa’s dedication extends far beyond the school day. She invests countless hours preparing lessons, supporting students individually, and ensuring that each student feels seen and valued. Her work prioritizes not only academic achievement but also the healthy development and well-being of every student she teaches.
For almost three decades, Lisa Hanson has demonstrated professionalism and deep care for young people. Her lasting influence on students and the community reflects the very best of educational excellence.
Meet Our 2025 Elizabeth Hedin Award for Educator Excellence Recipients
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Since 2007, Kelly Hassemer has been a dedicated educator in Red Wing, making a lasting impact on students and families. As an ELL teacher at Sunnyside, Burnside, and with two students at Tower View, she goes beyond the classroom to support the district’s Hispanic community.
Mrs. Hassemer's commitment extends far beyond teaching—she collaborates with special education staff to provide Spanish translations for academic testing, conducts home visits, and helps parents navigate important tasks like scheduling and attending doctor appointments. She’s even ridden in ambulances with students when needed, demonstrating her unwavering support.
Mrs. Hassemer exudes positive energy every day with students and staff. She is found smiling, hugging, and high-fiving students. Her enthusiasm in her voice echoes sounds of care as she supports students in their learning journey whether she’s working 1:1, small group, or in the general education classroom.
Mrs. Hassemer is a talented teacher who shows her students she cares about their success by meeting their learning needs and adapting the curriculum to meet the students where they are. In addition to teaching her students, she also helps them with test-taking skills. After a goal is met, a celebration is often held with her students. Her work continues with teachers providing training regarding best practices for multilingual learners.
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Mrs. Mann's deep understanding and compassion for her students are evident in everything she does. She takes the time to truly get to know each child, recognizing their individual needs and challenges. Whether it’s through thoughtful modifications to lessons or creating a more inclusive classroom environment, she consistently goes above and beyond to meet students where they are.
Mrs. Mann's commitment to student success isn’t limited to traditional classroom hours. Mrs. Mann often sacrifices her personal time to provide a safe and supportive space for students to be themselves. She has opened her classroom to students who need a quiet place to eat, offering them a sense of community and security. This act, though seemingly small, speaks volumes about her unwavering support for her students, especially those who may be facing difficulties outside the classroom.
Beyond providing a refuge, she is a champion for every student’s growth, always recognizing when they are doing their best—even when the results aren’t perfect. She celebrates effort, perseverance, and progress, fostering an environment where students feel encouraged to keep pushing forward. Her ability to meet each student where they are—whether they are excelling or struggling—demonstrates her commitment to equity and individualized support.
FAQS About the Award
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Each year, HHMF will award two outstanding educators and/or staff working in Red Wing Public Schools $10,000. The HHMF board will review all submitted nominations and select winners based on criteria including their leadership, community and school involvement, and more.
Additionally the gifting opportunity will occur in three year cycles. In the first and second years (2025 and 2026), one teacher from grades preK-6 and one teacher from grades 7-12 will be selected. In the third year (2027), two support staff members will be chosen from grades preK-12—one from preK-6 and one from 7-12—each receiving an award of $10,000.
Nominations will open in the spring, and the award recipients will be announced in May each year during Teacher Appreciation Week.
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In order to be eligible, nominees must be a Red Wing Public Schools employee and have been with the district for at least three years. Tower View Alternative High School teachers and staff are included in the Red Wing Public Schools and are thus eligible.
GCED employees are eligible if they are assigned to work in a RWPS building and have done so for at least three years.
Coaches are eligible if they are also teachers or support staff in the district.
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Substitute teachers.
Employees of the Goodhue County Education District and Charter/Parochial Schools not assigned to Red Wing Public Schools buildings.
Administrators, Managers, Directors, Athletic Directors, Principals, Police Resource Officers, Assistant Principals, and Student Support Coordinators.
Anyone nominated by or nominating a family member.
Board members or spouses of board members of the Hedin Hartnagel Board of Directors who would benefit financially from receiving the award.
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No.
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This award is all about dedicated educators supporting students in Red Wing Public Schools with educators and staff celebrating one another!
Only non-administrative staff assigned to Red Wing Public Schools who have been with the district at least three years are eligible to submit nominations for this award.
Only one nomination may be submitted per nominator, and nominators cannot nominate themselves or a family member. Teachers and support staff who meet the eligibility guidelines themselves can nominate an individual for the award. Support staff can nominate teachers, and teachers can nominate support staff in any year. Individuals not eligible for nomination cannot submit nominations.
Late nominations will not be accepted.
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Nominations will open in March of each year. Nominations for this year must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM CST on April 1, 2026 . The winner will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week in May.
Late nominations will not be accepted.
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No! Award winners receiving the $10,000 award can put the fund toward anything they would like.
Check with your tax accountant for any tax implications the award will have.
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Nominators are encouraged to complete the nomination in a way that:
Immerses the reader in the school setting, allowing them to visualize the nominee’s excellence and igniting curiosity with ample examples.
Highlights what distinguishes this nominee from their colleagues in their influence on students in classrooms, hallways, libraries, gyms, and lunchrooms.
Reflects the nominee’s influence beyond the classroom.
Maintains a student-centered perspective, incorporating numerous examples of student engagement and experiences.
Demonstrates the individual as a positive role model for both students and colleagues.
Focuses on building relationships that transform and empower students, parents, and the community.
Embodies the nominee’s dedication to the belief that all children can achieve a bright future.
Please note, in addition to the written portion of the nomination form, nominators are also asked a to provide a short video 2 minutes or less, outlining specific reasons why your nominee should be selected for the Elizabeth Hedin Award for Educator Excellence.
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You can find the handout with more information on the award here.