2026 Award Recipients
Hall of FamE
Jeffrey Copeland
Automotive Service Technology Instructor, Dakota County Technical College
Outstanding Educator
Jeff Klehr
Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician Instructor, Central Lakes College
Outstanding New Educator
Anna Chadwick
Aircraft Maintenance Technician Instructor, Minneapolis College
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM SUPPORTER
Jason Karasch
HR Manager, GATR Truck Center
ACADEMIC PROFESSIONAL
Paul Steevens
Engineering Specialist, Minnesota State University Mankato
Learn more about this year’s recipients
About the TCOE Awards
The TCOE Awards honor the outstanding individuals and organizations making a significant impact on transportation-related education in Minnesota. Each year, we proudly recognize educators, advocates, supporters, and industry partners whose contributions strengthen and advance the field.
Help Us Celebrate Excellence
Award recipients are nominated by their peers and selected each spring by the TCOE Awards Committee. The awards are formally presented at the MTTIA Conference in early August.
How to Nominate
Nominations are accepted from January 1 – March 31 each year. To nominate someone:
- Provide basic information about the nominee
- Submit at least three letters of recommendation from varied sources
- Use the TCOE Awards Criteria to guide your support letters
Before submitting, please review the full nomination criteria. Recipients are announced in early May.
Award categories
Hall of Fame
Recognizing lifetime contributions to transportation education in Minnesota.
Outstanding Educator of the Year
Celebrating excellence in transportation teaching and learning.
Outstanding New Educator of the Year
Recognizing early-career educators who demonstrate a commitment to excellence.
Exemplary College Program of the Year
Recognizing outstanding post-secondary transportation education programs that set the standard for excellence.
Exemplary High School Program of the Year
Recognizing outstanding secondary transportation education programs that set the standard for excellence.
Transportation Program Supporter of the Year
Honoring individuals who provide exceptional support to transportation education.
Industry Partner of the Year
Honoring businesses or non-profit organizations that significantly support transportation education.
Academic Professional of the Year
Recognizing individuals (i.e. Deans, Lab Assistants, Administrative Assistants, etc.) who provide exceptional support to transportation education programs through their dedication, advocacy, and service.
Awards Presentation
The TCOE presents these awards each year during the first week of August at the MTTIA Conference.
Previous Award recipients
2025
Hall of Fame
Jim Bainer
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Outstanding Educator of the Year
Andrew Thul
Hennepin Technical College
Outstanding New Educator of the Year
Carl Morsching
Riverland Community College
Exemplary Secondary Program of the Year
White Bear Lake High School Automotive Program
Instructor, Derek Doescher
Transportation Program Supporter of the Year
Dave Syverson Auto Center
For their support, especially of Riverland Community College
Academic Professional of the Year
Lynn McGlynn
Northland Community and Technical College
2024
Hall of Fame
Gerry Rainford
Dakota County Technical College
Outstanding Educator of the Year
Dwayne Hickman
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
Outstanding New Educator of the Year
Tom Weller
Alexandria Technical and Community College
Exemplary Secondary Program of the Year
Moorhead Career Academy’s Transportation Program
Instructor, Chantz Rud
Transportation Program Supporter of the Year – Business
I-State Truck Center
Transportation Program Supporter of the Year – Individual
Roger Gartner
Regional Technical Instructor/Recruiter, Ziegler CAT
2023
Hall of Fame
David Johnson
Anoka Technical College
Outstanding Educator of the Year
Drew Goddard
Hennepin Technical College
Outstanding New Educator of the Year
Tyler Kunstleben
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
Exemplary Secondary Program of the Year
Automotive Program
Anoka-Hennepin STEP
Transportation Program Supporter of the Year
Travis Hetteen
Knife River
Academic Professional of the Year
Roseanne Anderson
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
2022
Hall of Fame
Tom Brandt
Minnesota State College Southeast
Outstanding Educator of the Year
Olle Gladso
Riverland Community College
Outstanding New Educator of the Year
John Clancy
Moorhead High School
Exemplary College Program of the Year
Heavy Equipment Operations and Maintenance
Central Lakes College
Transportation Program Supporter of the Year
Bill Bartholomay
Wurth USA
Academic Professional of the Year
Andrea Thiner
Moorhead High School
2021
Hall of Fame
Dale Derung
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
Outstanding Educator of the Year
Jeff Schneider
Moorhead High School
Outstanding New Educator of the Year
Amanda Evenson
Minnesota State College Southeast
Exemplary College Program of the Year
Hibbing Community College’s Automotive Program
Kevin Hyduke and Wayne Trenholm
Transportation Program Supporter of the Year – Individual
Judell Anderson
AASP-MN
Transportation Program Supporter of the Year – Business
Brenny Transportation
Academic Professional of the Year
Leanne Pearson
St. Cloud Technical and Community CollegeCollege
2020
Hall of Fame
Mike Lehn
ASE Education Foundation
Outstanding Educator of the Year
John Witthauer
Northeast Metro 916 Career and Technical Center
Outstanding New Educator of the Year
Jonathan Rymer
Riverland Community College
Transportation Program Supporter of the Year
Dan Walton
Viking Land Harley Davidson
Academic Professional of the Year
Carl Borleis
Alexandria Technical and Community College
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