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Role of Educators in Advancing Teacher Quality and Student Achievement Is Focus of 2010 Milken Educator Forum in Los Angeles
National award-winning Milken Educators to explore solutions for ensuring a highly effective teacher in every K-12 classroom
May 03, 2010
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 3, 2010) – More than 50 of America’s top teachers—this year’s Milken Educator Award (MEA) recipients—will join with education reform leaders to share successful strategies for strengthening America’s schools. The three-day forum, May 14 – 16, will be held in Santa Monica, CA, at the Milken Family Foundation (MFF) headquarters and the Sheraton Delfina Hotel. On Saturday evening more than $1.3 million in cash awards will be presented to the newest class of Milken Educators.
“Three decades of work in business and philanthropy have reaffirmed my belief that education is the most vital means of securing the future for our nation and our youth,” said MFF Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken. “With research confirming that the quality of the teacher is the most important school-related factor affecting student outcomes, it is imperative that we recognize the essential contribution that teachers make to our society and that we implement successful reforms to increase teacher effectiveness from coast to coast.”
Forum events will range from plenary sessions on national teacher quality policy and the role of educators in improving teacher effectiveness to breakout sessions led by nationally prominent Milken Educators. Distinguished speakers will include Brad Jupp, senior program advisor in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; Dr. Dale Mann, Professor Emeritus at Columbia University and Managing Director of Interactive, Inc.; Dr. Andrea Thomas-Reynolds, CEO of the Algiers Charter Schools Association in New Orleans, Louisiana; and Dr. Yvonne Chan, California State Board of Education Member and Principal of Vaughn Next Century Learning Center. Breakout session topics include teaching respect and understanding, shaping the future of history education, building an award-winning science program and addressing the math achievement gap.
Dubbed the "Oscars of Teaching" by Teacher Magazine, the Milken Educator Awards, first presented in 1987, have bestowed over $60 million to more than 2,400 teachers. Building on the important impact of the MEA program in recognizing educator excellence, in 1999, Lowell Milken launched TAP™: The System for Teacher and Student Advancement to help generate teacher excellence. Forum participants will have an opportunity to hear Lowell Milken speak about TAP’s groundbreaking work.
Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley, a 1994 Award recipient from Indiana, shared, “Receiving the Milken Educator Award recharged my batteries and reminded me of the importance of our work and why we chose to be educators— to be the catalyst and guide that helps all students reach their potential.”
For additional information visit www.mff.org.
