Each year the Minnesota Driver
and Traffic Safety Education Association presents the Matt Barry Award of Excellence
for outstanding contribution to traffic safety education. |
1988: Bob Provost
1989: Howard Mathias
1990: Corinne Schommer
1991: Joe Shields
1992: Marty Rossini
1993: John Palmer
1994: Fred Schreiber
1995: Duane Mettler
1996: Frank Thissen and
Lloyd Belford
1997: Mike Meyers
1998: Marv Keogh and
Dennis Caughey
1999: Carl Buraglio
2000: Dave Stodola
2001: Warren DeMuth
2002: Joe Christensen
2003: Joe Meyerring
2004: Harold Olsen
2005: Mark Lee
2006: Jerry Anderson
2007:
2008:
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Teacher of the Year
2001: Dewey Metler
also National TOY
2002-3: Martie Rossini
2004: Shirly Suneson
2005: Terry Suneson
2006: Mark Lee
also National TOY
2007: Joe Christensen
also National TOE
2008:
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Frank Thissen wrote this explanation of who Matt Barry was.
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"Matt Barry was an educator and business person in Minnesota. I first met Mr. Barry in the autumn of 1945 when he accepted the position of principal of Blooming Prairie (MN) High School. I was in the junior year of high school and fortunately for me and my algebra classmates, Mr. Barry, in addition to serving as our principal, also taught one hour of advanced mathematics each day. I was in his class. He was a very good mathematics teacher in addition to being a fine principal.
After a few years Mr. Barry left Blooming Prairie and entered the theater business in Winona, MN. Subsequently he moved to Pipestone, MN and entered the education field again. Among other professional duties and responsibilities in education he became a driver education teacher too.
In 1969 I had another productive educational experience with Mr. Barry. Several driver education teachers and I enrolled in a driver education visual-perception workshop at Winona State College (now Winona State University). Mr. Barry was the professor of this very valuable driver education learning experience.
Mr. Barry continued his work in driver education and was an active MDTSEA member for many years. The "Matt Barry Award of Excellence" is an example of his heritage. Mr. Barry is remembered for his many contributions to our important field of driver education!"
Frank Thissen
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