Deb Henton Receives MASE Distinguished Service Award

May 15, 2026

The Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE) has named Deb Henton, recently retired Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, as recipient of the 2026 MASE Distinguished Service Award. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to Minnesota public education, made significant contributions to advancing educational practices, and established a reputation for going above and beyond in service to students, educators, and administrators. Henton will be honored at a statewide recognition ceremony during the MASE Fall Leadership Conference in Brainerd on October 22, 2026.

“Dr. Henton has consistently demonstrated what it means to lead with both courage and compassion. She has always gone above and beyond.... Few leaders match her tenacity when it comes to advocating for public education. Whether she is testifying at the legislature, engaging elected officials in candid conversations, or pressing relentlessly for the investments and policy shifts our student deserve Dr. Henton shows up with deep expertise and an unwavering moral compass,” wrote Nicole Woodward, Executive Director for St. Croix River Education District, in her letter of support. “What truly distinguishes Dr. Henton is her steadfast commitment to helping school leaders navigate the toughest moments of their careers. At a time when public pressure, scrutiny, and polarization are at an all-time high, she has made it her mission to ensure that leaders never face these challenges alone.”

Henton has served as Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators since 2020. Prior to that, she served as Superintendent at North Branch Area Public Schools.

Henton earned a Doctorate of Education from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota; her Master’s degree in Education from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota; and her Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Teacher Education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

MASE is a professional association organized to promote programs and services to improve the education of children with disabilities, to foster high quality programs of professional development, and to study problems relating to serving children with disabilities and improving the leadership of administrators for special education. MASE members are administrators for special education in public or private schools, cooperative regional, state and other education administrative units, college and university professors of special education teacher or administrator preparation programs, and administrators, coordinators or consultants for the Minnesota Department of Education.