Armada Elementary Teacher Receives National Milken Educator Award
Contact:
Martin Ackley, Director of Communications (517) 241-4395
Agency:
Education
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October 19, 2010
LANSING - Ms. Patty Paxton, teacher at Krause Later Elementary School in the Armada Area School District, 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 and members of the State Board of Education, as part of the Milken Family Foundation's National Educator Awards Program.
"Patty Paxton is an inspiration to her students," Flanagan said. "She has a great sense of humor, an incredible work ethic, and sets high standards for her students. Her instructional practices reflect the very best in teaching excellence and achievement."
From the state capital, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said: "I am honored to recognize Patty. She is an excellent Michigan educator. Patty is a role model and mentor for her colleagues and her students. Ms. Paxton is a hero among heroes.
"She is exemplary among the 100,000 top quality educators who are teaching in Michigan," Granholm added.
Armada Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Arnie Kummerow said: "Ms. Paxton is an outstanding educator and has greatly contributed to the success of Armada Area Schools. She sets the standard for professional excellence and is seen by administrators, faculty, staff and parents alike as exemplary. Her commitment to the promotion and implementation of instructional strategies that meet the needs of all students (whether they struggle academically or experience success but are not reaching their full potential) is extraordinary."
Paxton is one of 55 elementary teachers nationwide this year to receive the Milken National Educator Award, dubbed the "Oscars of Teaching" by Teacher Magazine. This marks the 24th year the Milken Family Foundation has recognized and rewarded excellence in education with public acclaim and up to $2 million in unrestricted cash prizes.
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.
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 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 will be presented with their unrestricted $25,000 award checks during the Milken National Education Conference to be held in the spring of 2011 in Los Angeles.
For more information about the Milken Educator Awards, and the surprise notification events held throughout the United States, please access the Milken Family Foundation website at www.mff.org or contact them at 310-570-4775.
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