October 23, 2008

LANSING – Leah Einhaus, a third grade teacher at Collins Elementary School in the Utica Community School District, received news today of a $25,000 cash award – no strings attached - during a visit to the school from Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President of the Milken Family Foundation, members of the State Board of Education, and staff of the Michigan Department of Education as part of the Milken Family Foundation’s National Educator Awards Program.

“Leah Einhaus is an outstanding teacher,” State Board of Education President Kathleen Straus said.  “Her instructional practices reflect the very best in teaching excellence and achievement.  She provides challenging lessons that are student-centered with children actively engaged in goal setting, collaboration, hands-on activities, problem solving and discovery.  She has high expectations for all students.”

From the state capitol Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said: “I am honored to recognize Leah as an outstanding Michigan educator.  Her commitment to Michigan’s children will help ensure that they succeed in the classroom and beyond.”

“Catherine ‘Leah’ Einhaus is an extraordinary educator who inspires learning of students, colleagues, and the community,” said Utica Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns.  “Her exemplary teaching practices include implementing literacy stations which has dramatically increased student interest in reading and writing.

Einhaus is one of up to 80 elementary teachers nationwide this year to receive the Milken National Educator Award, dubbed the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine. This marks the 22nd 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 April 17-19, 2009 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.