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Ramey Named Milken National Educator
Marjorie Ramey received both a trick and a treat when she arrived at school this morning. 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 fourth-grade teacher from Westfield Washington Schools with a $25,000 National Educator Award. The Milken Family Foundation award can be used for any purpose Ramey chooses. “Marjorie’s commitment to students and teaching are an inspiration to us all,” Dr. Reed said. “By individualizing instruction, she reaches out and touches each and every student.” Ramey, one of two educators to be honored by Milken this year, has earned several recognitions during her 16 years of teaching including: Outstanding Future Educator in 1987 by the Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, a Westfield Education Foundation Grant in 2001, Outstanding Mentor Teacher for Butler University Student Teachers in 2006 and the Indiana University Armstrong Teacher Award in 2006. In addition to her formal recognitions, Ramey has earned the praise of colleagues and parents alike. “Mrs. Ramey is very serious about her job; she doesn’t take any child for granted,” parent Phyllis Wilke said. “Her students come almost as close to her heart as her own children. She really wants them to do the best they can, and she wants them to succeed.” In her letter of nomination, Carey Ridge Principal Susan Hobson wrote, “After working closely with Mrs. Ramey for the past six years, it is clear to me that the students always come first with her and that she expends an incredible amount of energy to see each student blossom and succeed.” The Milken Family Foundation is presenting its National Educator Awards for a fourteenth 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 the 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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