• Driver Education Teacher Licensing Program
• Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services
• Minnesota Department of Public Safety
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving
• Family, Career and Community Leaders of America

• AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
• American Driver Traffic and Safety Education Association (ADTSEA)
• Southeast Region of ADTSEA (SERADTSEA)
• Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED)
• Association of National Stakeholders in Traffic Safety Education (ANSTSE)
• Foundation for a Drug-Free World
• National Highway Traffic Safety Association
• National Road Safety Foundation
• National Safety Council
• National Transportation Safety Board
• Novice Teen Driver Education and Training Administrative Standards (NTDETAS)
• Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
• US DOT Federal Highway Administration

Each year the MDTSEA presents the Matt Barry Award of Excellence for outstanding contribution to traffic safety education. Frank Thissen wrote this explanation of who Matt Barry was.

"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 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, counselor, and administrator of community education, drivers' education, and programs for adults with special needs.

The following is the listing of award recipients:

The Teacher of the Year Award recognizes excellence in driver education teachers who are dedicated to traffic safety, innovative teaching, and commitment to producing skilled, responsible drivers. The following is the listing of award recipients:

* Denotes ADTSEA Teach of Year Award Recipient