Indianapolis principal receives $25,000 Milken award

Emma Donnan Middle School’s Dexter Suggs named Milken National Educator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Media Contacts:
Amber McGowan, 317.232.6615, amcgowan@doe.in.gov
Cathy Danyluk, 317.232.9150, cdanyluk@doe.in.gov

When Dexter Suggs, principal of Emma Donnan Middle School in Indianapolis, went to school today, he thought his day would be like any other. Instead, he unsuspectingly received a $25,000 National Educator Award from the Milken Family Foundation in a surprise all-school assembly held by Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed and Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President with the Milken Family Foundation.

“Effective instructional leaders are absolutely essential to supporting the success of our students and teachers,” said Reed. “We are proud to recognize Dexter for this outstanding achievement.”

Suggs is one of two educators receiving the $25,000 award this year and is one of 50 who has received it since 1993. Including this year, the National Educator Awards presented to Hoosier educators totals over $1.2 million.

“Dexter Suggs has never forgotten where he came from and how he got to where he is,” Dr. Prudence Bridgewaters, Director of Middle Schools at Indianapolis Public Schools, said in a letter nominating Suggs. “He relates to youngsters intellectually and emotionally.”

Suggs carries 13 years of experience, six of those in administration, and has received several recognitions, including a $150,000 Educational Technology Grant and a National Honor Society Teacher Recognition Award.

This is the fifteenth year for the Milken Family Foundation to present the National Educator Awards in Indiana. Each recipient receives a $25,000 check in the spring at an awards ceremony held in Los Angeles, Calif., during a professional development conference with new and past winners. Recipients are able to use the money any way they choose.

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 the 21st 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:

Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by outstanding instructional practices in the classroom, school, and profession.
Outstanding accomplishment and strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership.
An engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues, and the community.

Local school superintendents identify candidates for evaluation and selection, but 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.

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