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2012 Milken Educator Award Notifications Take Off

"Teaching is my passion. When students feel and understand that, it becomes more real to them. Passion transfers." 
      — 2012 Milken Educator Barth Quenzer

10 - 9 - 8 - 7… blast off! The 2012 Milken Educator Award Notifications launched in Grand Island, Nebraska, where Governor Dave Heineman joined Dr. Jane Foley (IN ’94) to surprise 4th-grade teacher Sara Robinson. Sara’s principal is Milken veteran Julie Martin (NE ’98), who said, “Julie bleeds education”… a sentiment all Milken Educators can relate to.

And in Denver, Colorado, debates weren’t the only thing grabbing the limelight.  New Milken Educator Barth Quenzer is a K-5 fine arts teacher who told the Denver Post: "Every day, I come in and know the work I get to do with my students is exactly what I want to be doing. It's my passion. When students feel and understand that, it becomes more real to them. Passion transfers."

As proof that the Notifications moment lives on for recipients, Dr. Leticia Lozano (CO ’95) reflected that the Milken Award gave a voice to her Mexican immigrant students. Suzanne Beidscheid (WY ’98) said the Award convinced her that she could be a leader in education. And Scott DeVries felt a new and positive pressure to strive constantly to improve as a teacher. All were among those vets sharing the moment with newbie Barth Quenzer.

We hope you will stay tuned – whether in person or online – for the latest news coverage, to see more surprised faces and hear the inspiring speeches from the newest Milken Educators on our Notifications page as well as through our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages. 

Who will be next?