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Meet the 2014–15 Milken Educator Award Winners

Nationwide│Apr 20, 2015

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Shannon Ryan with Hanna Skandera Jane Foley Tom Ryan and daughter

Shannon Ryan (NM '14) │Teacher, Lavaland Elementary School │Albuquerque, NM

Date of Award: Jan. 22, 2015

There's a reason why fifth-grade teacher Shannon Ryan has been dubbed “Wonder Woman” by her colleagues at Lavaland. In a school marked by an extremely high poverty rate, she requests the most challenged students and instills a belief in their capacity to achieve. Her efforts are paying off with growth in math, reading and writing that is the highest in the school.

In this photo: Of the many VIPs in attendance, two are particularly proud today: Milken Educator Tom Ryan, Shannon's father and role model; and Morgan Ryan, the owl-capped Lavaland student who will never forget the day her mom was honored for helping hundreds of students reach their potential.

Pictured, from left: Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley; Shannon Ryan (NM '14), Thomas Ryan (NM '99); New Mexico Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera; and Lavaland Elementary student Morgan Ryan.

In this photo: Dr. Jane Foley (IN '94) , Shannon Ryan (NM '14) , Thomas Ryan (NM '99)

All photos should be credited to "Milken Family Foundation" unless otherwise noted.