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Surprise, Principal Timothy Thomas: You’re an AZ Milken Educator!

 

 

Principal Timothy Thomas listens to the long, loud ovation from students, staff and guests as he absorbs the big news: Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation, has just surprised Thomas with Arizona's 2016-17 Milken Educator Award and an oversized check for $25,000. Thomas has earned a well-deserved reputation as a "turnaround" expert. When he took over as principal at Rogers Ranch in 2013, the school was facing serious challenges: low student achievement, high staff turnover, discipline issues, facilities in disrepair and unhappy parents. One year later the K-8 STEM school had gone from a D to a high B in Arizona’s school grading system.