Linda Madsen began her career in education as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, and she has continued her dedication to the mission of FACS as she has advanced her career in the Forest Lake Area Schools, in Forest Lake, Minnesota. 

She moved from classroom teaching into a district wide mentoring leadership position, and from there was selected an expert in curriculum and instruction as the Director of Teaching and Learning.  On June 24, 2009, she will become the Superintendent of the large Forest Lake Area Schools District, the first woman to fill that position.  Throughout her progress into ever more responsible professional roles, Linda has continued to support FACS in her membership and participation in our organization at the MAFCS and AAFCS levels, as well as by supporting and championing FACS in Forest Lake.  She has served in numerous positions in MAFCS, including President, and she has presented at AAFCS Annual Conferences.  

Linda Madsen was a role model for me as I returned to teaching after a ten-year absence, and she shared with me her creativity, knowledge and experience in the field of Family and Consumer Sciences.  She continuously wrote and improved the FACS curriculum, and created innovative programs such as Joan's Meals, a hands on cooperative meal planning and production unit which teamed ninth grade foods classes and the junior high food service, and the Cookie Company, a project in eighth grade consumer ed in which students planned, calculated costs, produced, advertised and sold products, with final accounting of costs and profit.  In addition she co-authored a course titled "History and Cultures", a comprehensive program of foods, clothing, families, and housing from a global and historical perspective.  She was selected MAFCS Teacher of the Year and AAFCS Top Ten Teacher with this program in 1991.  

Dr. Linda Madsen is respected and admired personally and professionally, and I am very proud to nominate her for the AAFCS Virtual Hall of Fame. 

Nominated by:

Kathy Norquist