Hundreds turn out to celebrate, recognize 2019-20 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year David Law
(03/05/20) When Anoka-Hennepin Superintendent David Law was named 2019-20 Superintendent of the Year by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA), he knew it was a big deal. But when the Minnesota state legislature issued a resolution congratulating him — that’s when it dawned on him it was a life-changing honor.
“A proclamation — I was really, really honored to learn that,” Law said. “I think it illustrates that our elected officials take pride in our schools. They’re paying attention to the good work being done, and they notice. That’s really great.”
The Feb. 28 resolution coincided with a reception and celebration honoring Law, held March 5 at Bunker Hills Event Center in Coon Rapids, which drew hundreds of people, including friends and family, former and current colleagues, state legislators and local elected officials, and fellow superintendents from around the state. (See photos from the event.)
“It’s a very unusual feeling to be acknowledged for an award like this in such a public way,” Law said. “But I treated it as a fun way to say thanks to all of the people that have been a part of my growth over the years, and who are supporting me now. It was a big give-back opportunity.”
And while Law saw the event as a chance to say thank you, so did some of his colleagues, including Anoka-Hennepin School Board Vice Chair Nicole Hayes.
“In the end, all of us are here for the students, and there is nobody more dedicated to their success than you,” she said. “It’s your efforts every day that make a difference for our district, for our staff and for our students.”
Minnesota Commissioner of Education Mary Cathryn Ricker was another of Law’s colleagues who wanted to give thanks to him and offer congratulations.
“The leadership he has shown during his tenure as superintendent of the Anoka-Hennepin School District is really outstanding,” she said to the crowd. “Every day his work is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of (district) students. Congratulations.”
Meanwhile, the house resolution, passed by the committee on rules and legislative administration, congratulated Law on being named Superintendent of the Year, but also recognized a number of his accomplishments during his time in Anoka-Hennepin, including helping to develop the district’s continuing improvement model, passage of the 2017 referendum, and increases in student achievement and graduation rates.
Law was first named 2019-20 Superintendent of the Year by MASA on Oct. 7. It was the 32nd time MASA has bestowed the honor, and it’s the first time an Anoka-Hennepin superintendent has won. Any of the state’s more than 315 superintendents can be nominated, and in Law’s case, he was nominated by five different people.
“It’s just an incredible honor,” Law said. “I really hope people understand how fortunate I feel. I’ve tried to say this all along — but this isn’t an award just recognizing me. It’s an acknowledgment of the work all 7,000 employees in Anoka-Hennepin are doing.”
Law went through a rigorous nomination and selection process, that included being screened by a number of Minnesota’s professional educational organizations which MASA works with, including the state teacher’s union, Education Minnesota, both the elementary and secondary principal associations, the school board association, among others.
“When you rise to the top in the eyes of those individuals and those groups that we serve — that’s a monumental statement,” said Gary Amoroso, MASA’s executive director. “To be selected by such a broad spectrum of constituents, says a lot about David.”
In earning the honor, over the rest of the year, Law will be asked to participate in speaking engagements around the state that focus on educational topics.
Law has been superintendent of Anoka-Hennepin schools since 2014, and is a district alumnus, having graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1987. From there he earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Hamline University, in Saint Paul, and then a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law, also in Saint Paul. He completed his superintendent's licensure at the University of Minnesota. During his educational career, Law has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent.