Garden City Elementary’s Nicole Law named Milken National Educator

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The life of one Indianapolis educator changed dramatically this morning when she became $25,000 richer. Nicole Law, principal of Garden City Elementary in MSD of Wayne Township, received a $25,000 National Educator Award from the Milken Family Foundation (MFF) in a surprise schoolwide assembly hosted by Dr. Suellen Reed, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President of Milken Family Foundation.

“We are proud to recognize this outstanding Hoosier educator for her achievements,” Reed said. “Nicole Law is an excellent example of how dedicated school professionals can truly make a difference in ensuring our students succeed.”

Called the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine, the Milken National Educator Awards were conceived by Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder, to recognize the importance of outstanding educators and encourage talented young people to enter teaching. Indiana has received $1.3 million in awards from the MFF over the past 17 years. Indiana is the first state to kick-off the nationwide announcements.

Law has 13 years of experience with six of those in administration.

In a letter recommending Law, Mary Ann Dewan, Assistant Superintendent of MSD of Wayne Township, said, “Nicole embraces the diversity of her school, looks beyond the poverty to the potential and has created a school environment in which all students can achieve at high levels.”

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 $60 million has been awarded to more than 2,300 educators. 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.

“Nothing in America’s K-12 schools has more influence on student learning than the quality of the classroom teacher,” Lowell Milken said. “Highly effective teachers are the bedrock in constructing a world-class education system that meets our challenges and opportunities in this 21st century. It is a national imperative that we attract, retain and motivate people of talent to the profession. America’s prosperity depends on it.”

Candidates for the Milken Educator Awards are selected on the basis of the following criteria:

• Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
• Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
• Strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
• Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.

Unlike most teaching awards, the Milken Educator Awards have no formal nomination or application process. Educators are recommended without their knowledge by a blue-ribbon panel appointed by each state’s department of education. Each year exceptional teachers, principals and specialists are stunned with the news of their awards.

Source: Indiana Department of Education