MSPA Awards Criteria

Every year we give out awards to recognize the great deeds of our fellow colleagues and supporters and we would appreciate your help with the nominations. Below is a list of the awards we give out and a brief description of what we are looking for in a nominee. Please feel free to submit more than one response for multiple nominees. Submit your nomination here.

Ysseldyke Best Practices Award

PURPOSE
This award is designed to honor those professionals whose principles, standards and dedication have enhanced the field of school psychology. This award is named for Jim Ysseldyke, who (among many other accomplishments) is a University of Minnesota Professor of Educational Psychology and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Education and Human Development. He is the past editor of School Psychology International and Exceptional Children, is a fellow in the School Psychology and Educational Psychology Divisions of the American Psychological Association, was the recipient of the APA Lightner Witmer Award, the Career Research Award from the Council for Exceptional Children, the college's Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Emma Birkmaier Endowed Professorship.

AWARD PRESENTATION
An award ceremony will take place at the annual MSPA Midwinter Conference. The award will be presented by Jim Ysseldyke whenever possible.

JUDGING CRITERIA
Candidates will be evaluated in terms of major contributions to the field of school psychology.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Nominations will come from the MSPA Board during the summer retreat. The Board will vote on nominations either at the summer retreat or a fall meeting.

Past Winners

MSPA Legislative (Friend of Children's) Award

PURPOSE
To identify and recognize legislators who have made a significant contribution on behalf of education, mental health, and/or children's issues.

AWARD PRESENTATION
An award ceremony will take place at the annual MSPA Midwinter Conference.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Candidates will be nominated by MSPA Board Members or MSPA Members. Nominations will be solicited via our website and list-serve.

Past Winners

MSPA Administrator Award

PURPOSE
To identify and recognize principals, supervisors, directors, and other administrators who support the field of school psychology.

AWARD PRESENTATION
An award ceremony will take place at the annual MSPA Midwinter Conference. Framed certificates will be presented to those selected for this award.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Entries will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and all nominators will be informed of the decision.

Past Winners

MSPA Lifetime Achievement Award

PURPOSE
To identify and recognize outstanding school psychologists who have dedicated their professional lives to the development and betterment of school psychology.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE
School psychologists who work as practitioners, trainers, supervisors, administrators, state consultants, and researchers are eligible for this award. Nominees must have demonstrated at least 20 years of service to the field of school psychology and been a member of NASP and/or MSPA for at least 15 years. Candidates may be retired. The award may be presented posthumously. Possession of the NCSP is desired but not required.

AWARD PRESENTATION
An award ceremony will take place at the annual MSPA Midwinter Conference.

JUDGING CRITERIA
Candidates will be evaluated in terms of major contributions to the field throughout their career in one or more of the following areas:

Direct service to children, schools, and families
Administration or supervision of school psychological or related services
Local, state, and/or national development and implementation of school psychological services/programs
Development and implementation of school psychology preparation programs
Addition to the knowledge base of the field through research and publication

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
A panel of judges will review materials, validate entries, and select no more than three finalists. All candidates will be informed of the outcome. Nomination packets will be retained and reconsidered for a period of three years.

Past Winners

MSPA Innovative Program Award

PURPOSE
To identify and recognize a person, group, or district that exhibits innovative practices in the field of school psychology. This may entail creative problem-solving of school psychology practical issues or research benefiting school psychology in Minnesota.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE
At least one of the award recipients must be a school psychologist.

AWARD PRESENTATION
An award ceremony will take place at the annual MSPA Midwinter Conference. Several individuals or groups may be presented this award each year. Framed certificates will be presented to those selected to receive this award.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Entries will be reviewed by the Awards Committee and all nominators will be informed of the decision.