Rdale Parent and Family Educator receives MNAFEE Leadership Award

Exemplifying strong leadership and a career-long commitment to family and early education, Robbinsdale Area Schools (Rdale) Parent and Family Educator Michelle Berscheid has been named the 2026 Lois Engstrom Leadership Award winner by the Minnesota Association for Family and Early Education (MNAFEE). 

This award has been presented annually since 2020 to an individual who has made dynamic contributions to advance the goals and principles of parent education, Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), and early childhood programming locally and throughout Minnesota.

Throughout her career with Rdale, Berscheid has embraced a wide range of roles. From ECFE, to curriculum development connecting adult literacy and language learning with early childhood and parent education, to home visiting, family literacy coordination and teaching, she has consistently sought opportunities to grow, lead, and serve.

“I enjoy meeting the parents and their children attending ECFE. It is especially rewarding to see each group's relationship grow and see the community of parents unfold as trust is built within each group,” said Berscheid. “As a parent and family educator, it is a privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of this incredible stage of parenting.”

Throughout her experiences in Family Literacy, Berscheid believes that when parents come together, no matter their backgrounds or language, they discover more similarities than differences. She understands that combining adult education with parenting support sparks engagement, while cultural diversity adds richness and depth. It’s complex, layered work—but also deeply rewarding.

Berscheid’s passion is perhaps best captured in her doctoral dissertation, where she wrote:  “To understand more about a child, connect with the parent. To make change in the world, connect parents with parents… for the strength of the love for their children bonds them together, and the action that creates can make change in the world.”  That vision of connection, collaboration, and shared purpose is what makes her such a deserving recipient of the award.

She has also served in numerous leadership roles, including as Chair of MNAFEE as well as Director on the MNAFEE Board, and as a representative in the tri-agency group with the University of Minnesota, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), and MNAFEE. Nationally, she contributes her expertise through the National Parenting Education Network (NPEN), helping shape competencies and credentialing tools for parent education.  In addition, she has guided future educators as a clinical supervisor and adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota, mentoring students as they enter the field.