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Ohio Teacher Surprised with Milken Educator Award and $25,000 Cash

The 2014 “Oscar of Teaching” Presented by Superintendent of Public Instruction
Dr. Richard A. Ross and Milken Family Foundation’s Dr. Jane Foley

December 02, 2014

SANTA MONICA, CA — Plain Local School District and Frazer Elementary School teacher Jessica Tsoufiou was announced as the winner of the 2014 Ohio Milken Educator Award during an assembly at her school on Tuesday morning.

The surprised fourth-grade science and math teacher was selected for the award, which comes with an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000, because of outstanding achievement demonstrated by her fourth-grade math and science students and the admiration and gratitude she elicits from colleagues and parents. 

“Teachers move the needle and inspire students,” said Dr. Richard A. Ross, superintendent of public instruction for Ohio who presented the award along with Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President, Milken Family Foundation. “I am thrilled to be here today to recognize Ms. Tsoufiou and acknowledge the creative ways she motivates students. Her cross-disciplinary approach to teaching math and science clearly has a positive impact on the boys and girls in her classroom.”

Tsoufiou is an Ohio Department of Education Master Teacher and a sought-out mentor and collaborator by colleagues thanks to her talent for adopting effective and creative approaches to presenting material. She earned several Arts in Stark grants to bring artists into her classroom so students can engage foundational math and science concepts through art experiences. She participates in the enriching “Eagle Eye” program, partnering with a sixth grade teacher in Cawood, England on a year-long program that has students read common material, collaborate on projects and presentations, and interact regularly over Skype.  

The Milken Family Foundation first presented the Milken Educator Awards in 1987. 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.

To get regular updates on notifications, follow the #TeachForTheStars hashtag on Twitter and Instagram.

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, watch the reaction videos at www.youtube.com/milkenaward and find us on http://instagram.com/milkenfamilyfdn.

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