November 4, 2005
SOUTHGATE, Mich. – Ms. Wendy Smith, a science teacher at Davidson Middle School, Southgate Community Schools, received news today of a $25,000 cash award – no strings attached - during a visit to the school from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan as part of the Milken Family Foundation’s National Educator Awards Program.
“Wendy Smith is a great teacher,” Flanagan said. “She believes that all students can learn at high levels. She sets high standards for her students and helps them achieve those standards. She is highly regarded by students, parents, colleagues, and community members.”
From the state capital, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said: “I'm thrilled to acknowledge the dedication and vision that Wendy brings to her profession. I think of the dedicated teachers of
Michigan
as heroes and see Ms. Smith as a hero among heroes.
“She is exemplary among the 100,000 top quality educators who are teaching in
Michigan
,” Granholm added.
Smith is one of only 100 teachers nationwide this year to receive the Milken National Educator Award, dubbed the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine. This marks the 16th year of recognizing excellence in education with the Milken Family Foundation.
“Excellence must not be the exception in our schools, but rather the norm,” said Milken Family Foundation Chairman Lowell Milken, in announcing the nationwide awards. “Talented teachers are the key to ensuring high-quality educational opportunities for all students. By recognizing and rewarding outstanding educators each year, we focus the nation’s attention on the critical need to attract, retain and motivate caring, capable people to the American teaching profession.”
Research shows that the single most important school-based factor impacting student achievement is having a talented teacher in the classroom. The difference between an effective and ineffective teacher can be a full grade level of student achievement in a single year, according to the Milken Family Foundation.
The urgency for high-caliber teachers has become a top national priority this year as schools work toward meeting No Child Left Behind’s requirement of having “highly qualified” teachers in every classroom by this spring.
Award Criteria
Unlike most teaching awards, the Milken National Educator Awards have no formal nomination or application process. Educators are recommended for this prestigious honor without their knowledge by a blue-ribbon panel appointed by each state’s department of education.
Candidates for the Milken National Educator Awards are selected on the basis of the following criteria:
- Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
- Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
- Strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
- Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.
Recipients are presented with their unrestricted $25,000 award checks at the annual Milken National Education Conference, an all-expenses-paid professional development conference held in
Washington
,
D.C.
For more information about the Milken National Educator Awards, and the surprise notification events held throughout the
U.S.
, please access the Milken Family Foundation website at www.mff.org or contact them at 310-570-4773.
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