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Heidelberg Named Milken National Educator
When Jessica Heidelberg went to school this morning, she had no idea she would be $25,000 richer by noon. In a surprise, all-school assembly, Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed and Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President with the Milken Family Foundation presented the unsuspecting elementary teacher from the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township with a $25,000 National Educator Award. The Milken Family Foundation award, one of two given to Indiana educators this year, can be used for any purpose Heidelberg chooses. “Jessica exemplifies the best of Indiana educators, and we are proud to recognize her efforts,” Dr. Reed said. Heidelberg, a six-year teacher, was named MSD Washington Township Outstanding First Year Teacher in 2001, received the Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship Award in 2003, and earned National Board Certification in 2005. She currently serves as a Grade 1 Literacy Specialist. “Jessica inspires young children to want to learn and be successful by her example and her willingness to do whatever it takes to help students be good citizens as well as good students,” MSD Washington Township Superintendent James Mervilde said in nominating Heidelberg. “She ensures that all students are learning because she knows her students.” The Milken Family Foundation is presenting its National Educator Awards for a fourteenth year in Indiana to two recipients. 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 48 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, 2004 and 2005. Including this year’s presentations, the awards in Indiana total over $1,200,000. Called the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine, the Milken National Educator Awards were created by Milken Family Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken to celebrate, elevate and activate the highest caliber professionals in our nation’s schools. “Good teachers are the linchpin in our education system playing a critical role in propelling student learning,” said Lowell Milken. “Every child deserves to be in a classroom with a teacher who inspires, illustrates and advances excellence. It’s imperative that as a nation we recognize the importance of outstanding teachers and encourage young, talented people to choose teaching as a career.” Active in 48 states and the District of Columbia, the Milken Educator Awards have grown to become the nation’s largest teacher recognition program. Since 1987, over $56 million has been awarded to more than 2,200 educators. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, Milken representatives are presenting 100 new awards in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Predetermined criteria for Milken Educator Awards include all of the following:
Local school superintendents identify candidates for evaluation and selection, and candidates are not aware that they are under consideration for the award. 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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