"Human capital is the fingerprint that must be on all aspects of education reform." This statement from Milken Family Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken was embodied to the fullest when he spoke these words to the award-winning group of educators who have made this ideal a reality in schools across the nation. Their contributions to improved student achievement were acknowledged and celebrated at the Milken Educator Forum, May 14-16 in Santa Monica, Calif. Through plenary sessions addressing broad issues facing educators today to small group discussions, the newest class of Milken Educators spent the weekend exploring their roles and responsibilities in advancing teacher quality and sharing innovative strategies that make a powerful impact on students. The education celebration was highlighted by the presentation of individual unrestricted $25,000 financial awards — totaling $1.3 million — to the year's honorees at the Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the Sheraton Delfina Hotel.

Milken Educators got to know one another by delving into broad-based teaching techniques in group brainstorming sessions that addressed topics such as their goals as educators, the most effective ways to inspire student achievement, and the Milken Educator Award's impact on their careers thus far. Educators teaching the same subjects divided into groups to present exciting teaching strategies during the Forum's Job-Alike sessions. In the Language Arts Job-Alike, Greg Ott (GA '09) discussed his Wii-based English lesson plans, while in the science session Tom Sabo (VT '09) explained how his Vermont classroom participates in sustainable food production projects. "The Milken Educators here are beyond amazing," said fellow Milken Educator and English teacher Matthew Reid (MI '09). "These teachers and principals are people they make movies about."

In addition to learning from one another, new Milken Educators learned more about the goals of the Milken Family Foundation and the key roles Milken Educators play in realizing those objectives. In his welcome address, MFF Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken explained the Foundation's core educational philosophies, noting "Research confirms that the quality of the teacher is the most important school-related factor affecting student outcomes. It is imperative that we recognize the essential contribution that teachers make to our society and that we implement successful reforms to increase teacher effectiveness from coast to coast."

To build on the Awards' achievement in promoting the importance of talented educators, in 1999 Lowell Milken launched TAP™: The System for Teacher and Student Advancement to help generate teacher excellence. Now in its tenth year, the innovative education reform has proved instrumental in strengthening teacher effectiveness in K-12 schools across the country. Several veteran Milken Educators joined Milken on a plenary session to discuss the positive effects of TAP on their careers and in their classrooms. Among them was Louisiana TAP Executive Master Teacher Vicky Condalary (LA '01). "TAP has given us the opportunity to do things we would not have been able to do," she said. "Things we never thought were possible are now probable thanks to TAP," such as increased student achievement in some of the most challenging environments and dramatic increases in teacher retention and career satisfaction.

The new class of Milken Educators was also treated to a discussion by Milken Family Foundation Co-Founder Michael Milken on the importance of building human capital. According to Milken, many nations now surpass the U.S. when it comes to the priority and percentage of income parents dedicate to their children's education. "In every endeavor, human capital has been the most important element to success," he said. "By failing to provide competitive compensation and job growth, talented teachers only had one career path, out of the classroom."

Local, state and national policies affecting teacher effectiveness were the focus of a distinguished panel including Brad Jupp, senior program advisor for the Office of U.S. Secretary Arne Duncan; Dr. Dale Mann, managing director of Interactive Inc.; Dr. Gary Stark, president and CEO of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching; Dr. Andrea Thomas-Reynolds, CEO of the Algiers Charter Schools Association; and moderator Lowell Milken. "We need to return to the position of leading the world in producing college-successful students," said Brad Jupp. His words were not a plea, but a call to action to a motivated and capable audience of educators. Dr. Mann reiterated Jupp's words. "Right now teachers' jobs are overly demanding and under-rewarding," Mann said. "School improvement happens by example; action creates understanding."

"To say that I walked away from this weekend's Milken Educator Forum inspired would be the understatement of the year!" These are the words of Nader Twal (CA '03), project director for Smaller Learning Communities in the Long Beach Unified School District and one of several Veteran Milken Educators offering their new Milken Educator Network colleagues insights into how the Award's recognition could propel their careers to new heights. "I went from being a classroom teacher to assistant state superintendent within a year of receiving the Award," said Washington State Assistant State Superintendent of Student Achievement Erin Jones (WA '07). Twal noted that "gifted teachers, such as Milken Educators, administrators and community partners, represent all that is right about education. Their vision accepts no bounds, their attitude teems with possibility, and their heart beats for kids."

Between the Forum's thought-provoking discussions and panels, Milken Educators were literally given their moment in the spotlight at the Awards Ceremony and Dinner. For many, the pomp and circumstance were an affirmation not only of their individual efforts, but of the larger mission of education. One by one, recipients were honored on stage while a summary of their major accomplishments elicited gasps of amazement and admiration from the audience. The moment was made even more special given its rarity in the teaching profession. "It's an amazing feeling to be recognized for what you do when you're not expecting any recognition at all," said Milken Educator Award recipient Bobbi Jo Erb (AK '09).

Reflecting on her own Award in 1994, Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley (IN '94) recalled that "receiving the Milken Educator Award recharged my batteries and reminded me of the importance of our work and why we chose to be educators — to be the catalyst and guide that helps all students reach their potential."

Her words rang true with the values held dear by those being honored.

"I believe in the transformative power of education," said middle school science teacher Roberto Gonzalez (CA '09). "It gives me hope that there are Milken Educators who are willing to work incredibly hard to carry the torch."

Dubbed the "Oscars of Teaching" by Teacher Magazine, the Milken Educator Awards, first presented in 1987, have bestowed over $60 million to more than 2,400 teachers. For more information visit http://www.mff.org/mea.

COMMENTS

Jim Brown '96, jimandpat9@cox.net, July 19, 2010
I really like this format for the newsletter. Keep up the great work.

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Glenn Jones, gjteguc@hotmail.com, July 16, 2010
Is it possible to attend the 2011 Conference?

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