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Clarksville, Tennessee, Educator Surprised by $25,000 Milken Award

Norman Smith Elementary Teacher Nicole Castile receives
“Oscar of Teaching” for impact on every student

November 25, 2014

SANTA MONICA, CA — Nicole Castile, a third-grade teacher at Norman Elementary in Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, Tennessee, was presented with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award at a surprise assembly.

The award was presented by National Institute for Excellence in Teaching President and CEO Dr. Gary Stark (AR ’01) and Tennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman.

“Teachers like Nicole Castile are the reason we are the fastest improving state in the nation,” Huffman said. “Every day our teachers go above and beyond to support and encourage our students’ growth in and out of the classroom.”

Formerly a fourth-grade teacher, Nicole Castile made such significant progress with her students that she was asked to help improve student achievement in the third grade. She started teaching third grade during the 2013–14 school year and, along with her responsibilities as the school’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) leader, has “loved every minute.”

Castile’s vibrant classroom is a well-oiled machine. Every lesson is thoroughly planned and executed. She begins her instruction by deconstructing standards, uses benchmark data to make decisions along the way, and then develops rigorous assessments. At the same time, Castile prides herself on creating activities that bring the content to life, make learning fun, and most importantly, connect with students.

Her efforts led to a 100% passing rate (proficient or above) on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) in science. She co-teaches with her peers to help spread best practices and ensure progress across the curriculum. 

Castile’s teaching excellence impacts the school as a whole. She formally trains the third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades in STEM as well as at the district level. In addition, Castile serves on the school’s leadership team, is the chairperson for the school improvement team, and mentors new and veteran teachers. Beyond academics, she is on the campus’s positive school discipline team, dedicated to instilling important values in every student she encounters.

Castile is one of up to 40 recipients across the country this school year who will be receiving the honor during the 2014-15 season and the sole winner from Tennessee. The Milken Award recognizes exemplary elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and specialists who are furthering excellence in education.

The Milken Family Foundation first presented the Milken Educator Awards in 1987. Since that time, it has become the nation’s preeminent teacher recognition program and was dubbed the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher magazine. Recipients can use their $25,000 award in any way they choose. More than $137 million in funding, including over $65 million in individual $25,000 awards, has been devoted to the overall program, which includes powerful professional development opportunities throughout recipients’ careers. 

Alternating yearly between elementary and secondary educators, the Awards are sourced through each participating state department of education, which appoints an independent blue ribbon committee to confidentially review candidates for recommendation to MFF. Past recipients have used their Awards to finance their children’s education or their own continuing education. Others have financed dream field trips, established scholarships and even funded the adoption of children.

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For information about the Milken Educator Awards, visit http://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/newsroom/media-kit or call MFF at (310) 570-4775.  Like the Awards at www.facebook.com/milkeneducatorawards, follow us at www.twitter.com/milken and watch the reaction videos at www.youtube.com/milkenaward.

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