The award, presented by MBP’s Education Committee Co-Chairs Archie Black and Allison Gettings, celebrates schools and community organizations making significant academic gains and reducing opportunity and achievement gaps for underserved students across Minnesota.
Under the leadership of Principal Mary Jane Adams, Sonnesyn Elementary has transformed its approach to literacy instruction, shifting to methods grounded in the Science of Reading. Early results demonstrate this commitment is driving measurable academic achievement for students, with the school achieving a remarkable 10% improvement in third grade reading scores through implementation of the Bridge2Read program.
“Sonnesyn Elementary exemplifies what’s possible when educators embrace evidence-based practices and commit to every student’s success,” said Kurt Zellers, CEO of the Minnesota Business Partnership. “Their impressive gains in reading proficiency through the Bridge2Read program and Science of Reading practices prove that with strong leadership and proven strategies, every child can succeed. Principal Adams and her team aren’t just teaching reading, they’re building Minnesota’s future workforce.”
The transformation at Sonnesyn extends beyond the school’s walls. Principal Adams’ leadership has spread evidence-based literacy practices throughout the district, creating a ripple effect that benefits students across multiple communities.
“We created the Minnesota’s Future Award because we needed to spotlight what works in education,” said Archie Black, Co-Chair of MBP’s Education Committee. “Sonnesyn Elementary is proving that evidence-based literacy instruction can transform outcomes for students, particularly in communities where achievement gaps persist. This is the model that every school in Minnesota should study.”
“Quality education is the foundation of Minnesota’s economic competitiveness,” added Allison Gettings, President and CEO of Red Wing Shoe Company and Co-Chair of MBP’s Education Committee. “When we’re recruiting talent to Minnesota, one of the first questions families ask is about schools for their children. Schools like Sonnesyn Elementary, where every student can succeed, are essential to attracting and developing the workforce our state needs to remain a headquarters economy.”
With only 49% of Minnesota students currently reading at grade level, the lowest rate in a decade, schools like Sonnesyn demonstrate the urgent need for and proven success of evidence-based literacy instruction statewide.
The $50,000 award will support Sonnesyn Elementary’s continued implementation of evidence-based literacy practices and expansion of programs that have proven successful in closing achievement gaps.
About the Minnesota’s Future Award
The Minnesota Business Partnership established the Minnesota’s Future Award to achieve three primary goals:
- Highlight programs demonstrating all students can succeed
- Celebrate the efforts of educators, students, and their families
- Provide examples of successful academic strategies that can be replicated across Minnesota
The award reflects MBP’s commitment to investing in education as a cornerstone of Minnesota’s economic competitiveness and community vitality.