South Carolina Milken Educators advocate Race To The Top comprehensive school reform.

Many movements, sports teams, and more throughout history have had their own hand signal.  In World War II, there was V for Victory.  In the 1960’s, there was the Peace symbol.  Plus thumbs up, O.K., and Hook ‘em Horns to name just a few. Now, the newest Milken Educator, Ann Wong, biology teacher at West Springfield High School in Springfield, Virginia has her own symbol.

Those were the first words spoken by Mark Barry, social studies teacher at Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins, Colorado, today when he heard his name announced as a Milken Educator Award recipient.  Yes, Mr. Barry, it is real. 

Really?  Yes, when you are a student in Cynthia Rudolph’s Hopewell High School science class in Huntersville, North Carolina.

How often do you see students spontaneously do the wave for a teacher?  If you are like me, you can’t think of even once.  Until today when Rebecca Duda, American History teacher at Lakeview Junior High School in Dracut, Massachusetts was treated to the wave by her students.  

Yesterday I traveled with Lowell Milken to Oregon to surprise AP history teacher par excellence Drew Moneke at West Salem High and 21st-century science guru Keven Zerzan at Gladstone High.

When Jaime Crowley, Mt. Hope High School Assistant Principal received the Milken Award today, he echoed the earlier comments of Governor Carcieri and Commissioner Gist, commending students and staff for the amazing progress at their school due to hard work.

Richardson PREP HI Middle School in San Bernardino is not just the highest scoring middle school in San Bernardino County on the California Standardized Tests, but in Riverside County as well.

Could there be a finer legacy than a passion for education?  At San Diego High School alum Jaime Enochs returned after earning her BA in English at UC Berkeley to teach students in her alma mater's school-within-a-school, the School of International Studies.

As the students filed into the gym today at Platt High School in Meriden, Connecticut, social studies teacher James Flynn was right in the midst of all the activity taking pictures of everything that was happening.  Such was his assignment today at the “Commissioner’s” assembly. 

As a recent addition to the Milken Family Foundation staff, yesterday I experienced my very first notification in-person at Virgil Middle School.

Today at Centennial High School in Peoria, Arizona, Principal Jim Davis planned an assembly to showcase his Excelling school for the state superintendent. And a great celebration it was.

Math teacher Eric Dunn of Webster Groves High School in Webster Groves, Missouri is having a very interesting week.

High school math and physical education teacher and coach Brad Nicks was surprised today at Shawnee Heights High School in Tecumseh, Kansas with the Milken Educator Award.  Mr. Nicks knows what it takes to succeed.

Austin's Liberal Arts and Science Academy High knew they would be welcoming Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott.  What they didn't know was that they were also welcoming one of their own teachers into the prestigious Milken Educator Network!

It was a Texas-sized day as two Austin-area educators were stunned by their Milken Educator Awards--  freshman principal Adelaida Olivares at Del Valle High and high school social studies teacher Maricruz Aguayo-Tabor at Liberal Arts and Science Academy.  Both model real-life success for their students.

At Del Valle High School in Austin, TX, students gathered in the gymnasium for what they thought was a normal school assembly. Little did they know that the Milken Family Foundation and some of the state's most distinguished representatives were on-hand to deliver some very special news.

Picture about 30 high school students forming a human arch similar to what we sometimes see at the beginning of basketball games.  Then imagine how it would sound to hear them chanting a teacher’s name and not stopping until their favorite teacher would run through the gauntlet accompanied by their cheers and exuberance.  

Each morning I open the MFF webpage to see the face of our newest member. I know they woke up that morning not knowing the magnitude of how much their lives were about to change. I also know that they left school that day still not understanding what force had just shifted their journey. 

What exactly does one say when surprised & honored with the Milken Award in front of students, media, colleagues and dignitaries?  Recipients are usually at a loss for words.  So after a quick “All righty then,” Stephanie LeGrone, chemistry teacher at Mary G. Montgomery High School in Semmes, AL, proceeded to thank her students and acknowledge her colleagues.

Dilhani Uswatte, math teacher at Berry Middle School in Hoover, Alabama, couldn’t believe it when her name was announced as a Milken Educator Award recipient but the fact that her name was printed right on the envelope helped to convince her that we really were there for her.

Students at Northwestern Middle School in Milton, Georgia were anxious to help determine what the recipient of the Milken Educator Award would get.  When first asked, they suggested “cookies” but we decided it could be a bit more than that.  At $250, they said emphatically, “no deal.”

This award was/is such a treasure - not only the money, but the honor, the professional recognition, the amazing surprise of being singled out to represent all the fine educators in this country

Herron High School opened just three years ago as a charter school in Indianapolis.  Rex Bolinger, 1999 Indiana Milken Educator, was the founding CEO and charged with hiring the new staff.   Rex interviewed many, but hired few.

Ed Coleman, high school English teacher at North Central High School in Indianapolis, listened to the explanation of the Milken Educator Award at the assembly today and wondered about the statement, “You don’t find us.  We find you.”  How does that work?  

Milken educator Shannon Landefeld shares fond recollections of her own notification.

Receiving the "surprising" news that I was selected as a recipient of the Milken Educator Award has been the great achievement of my professional career. The honor alone is awesome and the monetary reward leaves you speechless.

Today in Lincoln, Nebraska, social science teacher Ryan Mahoney of Southwest High School received the 2009 Milken Educator Award.  Present to announce the recipient were Governor Dave Heineman and First Lady Sally Ganem.  As Mr. Mahoney addressed the students, first he thanked us for the last zero.

Last night, English teacher Jay Crocker at Ballard High School in Louisville, KY stayed late again helping students.  Once again, he was the last to leave school.  The school plant manager looked at Mr. Crocker and thought, someday it will pay off. He just didn’t know it would be so soon.

This is certainly an exciting time of year.  The Notification is such a humbling experience. 

Question: When doesn't one of the best principals in the country know absolutely everything that is happening in his school?  Answer:  Only when the Milken Family Foundation decides to surprise him with the Milken Award.  

Today in Bay City, Michigan, high school English teacher Matt Reid became the first Milken Educator notified in the country.  Mr. Reid is a favorite teacher at Wenona Center, where students look forward to taking British Literature because they know he will be the teacher

Every year, I look forward to the announcements and go to the website to cry "tears of joy" with the new recipients.  The work that goes into making it a surprise is amazing along with the ultimate recognition that the Milken Foundation shines on our profession.

As the fall season arrives, so do the annual Milken Educator Award notifications.  Where will they be?  Which outstanding educators will be surprised and honored and join our family of Milken Educators?  Watch the local news, read your newspaper, check the MFF blog and web site to see what happens.