| | 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 Stodolka | 2001: Warren DeMuth |
| 2002: Joe Christensen | 2003: Joe Meyerring |
| 2004: Harold Olsen | 2005: Mark Lee |
| 2006: Jerry Anderson | 2007: Tom Margo |
| 2008: John Bothum & Shirly Suneson | 2009: Larry Fossness |
| 2010: Terry Suneson | 2011: Cheri Salzer |
| 2012: Pat Irsfeld | 2013: Brad Isberner |
| 2014: Bea Kehr | 2015: Carol Olson |
| 2016: Don Hoechst | 2017: Jan Jensen-Skoviera |
| 2018: Ray Kroll | 2019: Curt Quiner |
| 2001: Dewey Mettler also National TOY | 2002: Martie Rossini |
| 2003: Martie Rossini | 2004: Shirly Suneson |
| 2005: Terry Suneson | 2006: Mark Lee also National TOY |
| 2007: Joe Christensen also National TOE | 2008: Dave Barnum also National TOE |
| 2009: Larry Fossness & Clyde Doepner | 2010: Fred Schreiber also National TOE |
| 2011: Pat Irsfeld | 2012: Don Porath | 2013: Bob Cole | 2014: Charles Benda |
| 2015: Bea Kehr | 2016: Carol Olson |
| 2017: Phillip Toconita | 2018: Andrew Unseth |
| 2019: Ray Kroll | 2020: |
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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 1930-2014 Frank dedicated over 30 years to the St. Paul Public Schools as teacher, counsellor, and administrator of community education, drivers' education, and programs for adults with special needs. |
| Minnesota Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association | |
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Last Revision: August 2017 Copyright © 2011 Created: February 2008 E-Mail to MDTSEA Webmaster |
Secretary John Palmer 832 Halliday Road St. Cloud, MN 56301 Phone: 320-252-8786 |