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Two Indiana Teachers Named Milken National Educators
Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed and Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President with the Milken Family Foundation, presented two $25,000 National Educator Awards from the Milken Family Foundation today. The awards recognized a high school science teacher from the Delaware Community School Corporation in Muncie and a high school mathematics teacher from the Metropolitan School District of Perry Township in Indianapolis. The $25,000 awards, to be used for any purpose the educators choose, were announced in all-school surprise ceremonies. The winners are:
“Lance and Janet exemplify the best of Indiana educators. Their enthusiasm, commitment, and professionalism are inspirational to us all,” said Dr. Reed. “We are excited and proud that Milken has selected these two individuals for such a prestigious honor.” Brand began teaching in 1997 at Driver Middle school in Winchester, Indiana. Two years ago, he joined the faculty at Delta High School in Muncie, where he proceeded to redesign the school’s biology curriculum. Since he was hired, the school has increased the number of students taking advanced science classes, and recently added physiology and anatomy to their curriculum. Brand is also known locally as the “Father of Science Camp” because he started a week-long summer science program in 2004. The program, which was initially slated for 40 students, exceeded even Brand’s expectations and enrolled 50 students the first year and over 70 in 2005. “Lance is a professional in every respect – by his appearance, his actions, and his classroom discipline,” Delta Principal Greg Hinshaw said in an interview with Milken representatives. “His presence raises the bar for the science department and the science faculty.” Nineteen-year educator Pernell has spent her entire teaching career at Southport High School, where she has a passion for mathematics. In addition to her usual Algebra I and II classes, Mrs. P., as she is known by her students, teaches one Algebra I class per day in Spanish to help those students struggling with English as a second language. She has played an integral role on the district’s Equity 2000 Committee, which sets policy and direction for the district’s secondary math program, and as a part of the school’s Saturday Academy Program, a partnership with the University of Indianapolis that targets underperforming students. Pernell, a Disney Educator Award nominee, also makes home visits for those students not putting forth enough effort in school. “Innovative, imaginative, child-centered, and stimulating are the power words we would use to describe Janet Pernell,” Southport Principal Terry Thompson wrote in a recommendation letter. “More importantly, these are the words her students use in describing their beloved teacher.” The Milken Family Foundation is presenting its National Educator Awards for a thirteenth year in Indiana to recipients who are selected by a blue ribbon committee appointed by Dr. Reed. Each recipient will receive a $25,000 check in May in Washington, D.C., at a professional development conference with new and past winners. This year’s awards bring the total number of Indiana winners to 46 since 1993 when the first six were presented. Five awards were made each in 1994 and 1995; four in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, three in 2000 and 2001, and two in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Including this year’s presentations, the awards in Indiana total over $1,150,000. By the end of the 2005 National Notifications, more than 2,100 distinguished educators from across the United States will have been recognized by the Milken Educator Awards, totaling over $54 million in unrestricted financial awards. Recognized as the largest of its kind, the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards program originated in California in 1985 with the intent of attracting and retaining quality educators. Now marking its 19th year, the Milken Educator Awards are being presented to 100 new recipients in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Predetermined criteria for Milken Educator Awards include all of the following:
Candidates for evaluation and selection are identified by local school superintendents, and are not aware that they are under consideration. The program does not include an application procedure. Names for consideration are referred to a blue ribbon panel appointed by Dr. Reed under guidelines established by the Milken Family Foundation. The process to identify candidates and select recipients is confidential. Attachments:
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Indiana Department of Education |
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