MnAEYC Awards
MnAEYC honors individuals and organizations each year for excellence in the Early Childhood field.
Debbie Lund - 2026 Director of the Year
For more than two decades, Debbie Lund has led Baby’s Space with unwavering dedication, compassion, and integrity. As Executive Director, she has built a culture where children, families, and staff are not only served—but truly seen, heard, and supported. Centering the baby’s point of view in every decision, Debbie has cultivated a relationship-based, trauma-informed model that responds to the realities of poverty, daily stress, and historical trauma in the Little Earth community of South Minneapolis. Through therapeutic services, healing spaces, responsive HR practices, and community partnerships, she has ensured that Baby’s Space remains a safe and stabilizing presence for families 365 days a year.
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Debbie’s leadership fosters belonging at every level. She has intentionally expanded her leadership team to reflect the community it serves and created a workplace culture grounded in empathy, authenticity, and trust. From Monday Morning Muffins and birthday kits to onsite counseling and conscious discipline family gatherings, she creates meaningful touchpoints that strengthen relationships and empower families as co-creators of their children’s learning experience. Her commitment to shared ownership is evident in structures like a parent advisory board and family events that amplify community voice—ensuring that programs are shaped by those they serve.
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A hallmark of Debbie’s leadership is her relentless advocacy for children’s safety, dignity, and joy. Whether championing trauma-responsive policies long before they were widely adopted, fighting for physical safety measures, or turning a five-year-old’s idea into the beloved annual Back-to-School Carnival, Debbie leads initiatives that drive lasting positive change. Families and staff describe her as steady, compassionate, and deeply invested in their well-being. Through her visionary, heart-centered leadership, Debbie Lund embodies the very spirit of the MnAEYC Director of the Year Award—fostering belonging, leading with integrity, championing children, and transforming her community.
Tahrah Rodriguez
2026 Kate Davidson Tanner Award Winner
for Excellence in Preschool Education
Mrs. Tahrah Rodriguez exemplifies excellence in preschool education through her deep commitment to relationships, intentional practice, and whole-child development. In her classroom, children are not simply participants in a program—they are known, valued, and truly seen. Through careful observation and genuine connection, Tahrah designs thoughtful learning experiences that balance one-on-one support, small group collaboration, self-exploration, and mindful practice. Her environment reflects both warmth and purpose, creating a natural yet intentionally equitable space where children from all backgrounds can thrive. Families and partnering schools consistently note the strong growth and progress of her students—evidence of a classroom culture grounded in high expectations, responsive teaching, and authentic care.
Central to Tahrah’s work is her unwavering commitment to anti-bias, trauma-informed practice. She approaches every interaction with openness, cultural humility, and a belief that every child deserves dignity and belonging. Her ability to build trust is transformative. One nominator shared the story of a family who entered the program after leaving an abusive situation, initially unable to trust anyone with their child. Through extra connection, consistent communication, and compassionate presence, Tahrah helped rebuild that trust—creating a second home where both parent and child felt safe. Years later, that family continues to return to visit. These lasting relationships reflect not only Tahrah’s professional skill, but her heart-centered leadership and the healing impact of her work.
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Beyond her classroom, Tahrah is a respected mentor, advocate, and leader within her center and the broader community. She supports practicum students and high school observers, generously sharing her expertise and modeling excellence in action. She actively engages in equity-focused initiatives, including work with 80x3 and Embracing Equity, helping review policies and practices to ensure alignment with community needs. She also serves as a vital bridge between families and school district partners, ensuring coordinated, consistent support for children navigating IEP processes and additional services. With 16 years of dedicated service, a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, and an unwavering commitment to professional growth and advocacy, Tahrah Rodriguez embodies the very spirit of the Kate Davidson Tanner Award—leading with heart, integrity, and excellence in preschool practice.
Carol Mason
2026 Evelyn House Award Winner
Carol Mason’s 29 years of dedicated service in early childhood education—15 of those at her current school—reflect a deep and enduring commitment to Minnesota’s youngest learners. Working primarily with toddlers, Carol has spent nearly three decades nurturing children during one of the most critical periods of development. Her classroom is a living example of Developmentally Appropriate Practice in action. She meets each child exactly where they are, carefully observing, adapting materials, and thoughtfully designing experiences that both support and gently challenge emerging skills. Her constant reflection and responsiveness create an environment that evolves with the children, resulting in strong developmental outcomes and confident, capable young learners.
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At a stage when social-emotional growth is foundational, Carol’s work is especially transformative. She equips children with tools to understand and regulate their emotions, navigate peer interactions, and build resilience. Families—particularly those facing significant challenges—have experienced firsthand how her steady presence and intentional teaching have altered the trajectory of their children’s development. Her classroom is not only a place of learning, but a place of safety, affirmation, and growth. The outcomes she fosters extend far beyond toddlerhood, setting children on a path toward lifelong success.
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Beyond her direct work with children, Carol is a lifelong learner and mentor whose influence reaches colleagues, families, and the broader early childhood community. She models thoughtful reflection, professional curiosity, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Those who work alongside her describe her as compassionate, wise, and generous with her knowledge—someone who listens deeply, offers grounded guidance, and elevates those around her. Carol Mason’s decades of service, commitment to growth, and lasting impact on children, families, and fellow educators embody the very spirit of the MnAEYC Evelyn House Award.
Renee Butler
2026 Outstanding Educator Award Winner
Renee Butler exemplifies what it means to be an Outstanding Educator. Her relationship-based approach creates immediate trust and partnership with children and families, fostering a classroom environment rooted in warmth, collaboration, and belonging. Families consistently share how deeply supported they feel under her care—often hoping younger siblings will one day be in her classroom as well. Renee knows each child and family personally—their interests, milestones, siblings, grandparents, even pets—and uses that knowledge to create a nurturing, responsive environment where children feel loved, secure, and ready to grow. Her classroom truly becomes an extension of each family, built on trust, compassion, and authentic connection.
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With a professional background in social work, education, and licensure as a parent educator, Renee brings a rare depth of knowledge to her practice. She walks alongside families in a way that is respectful, non-threatening, and empowering, ensuring that parents are active partners in their child’s development. Her ability to observe, understand, and adapt to each child’s unique interests and developmental needs is evident in the way she speaks about her students—she can share their favorite stories, current fascinations, and emerging skills with ease. This attentiveness allows her to design learning experiences that are individualized, meaningful, and supportive of the whole child.
Renee’s commitment to the early childhood field spans decades.
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Beginning her journey in early education as a high school student, she pursued higher education in social work before returning to continue her work in early learning, where she has now served for over 15 years. Her continued professional growth, including earning her master’s degree and parent educator licensure, reflects her deep dedication to strengthening both her practice and the broader community. Whether through community engagement events, family support initiatives, or daily classroom interactions, Renee consistently goes above and beyond her role. Her heart-centered teaching, professionalism, and unwavering advocacy for children and families make her a truly deserving recipient of the MnAEYC Outstanding Educator Award.