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

The 2014 “Oscar of Teaching” Was Presented to a Reading Specialist in Foster

October 09, 2014

SANTA MONICA, CA — At a surprise ceremony this morning at the Captain Isaac Paine Elementary School, in Foster, Erin F. Quinlan, a reading specialist and instructional coach, was named the Rhode Island winner of a 2014 Milken Educator Award.

The award, from the Milken Family Foundation, carries an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000.

“There are exciting things taking place in schools all across Rhode Island, and part of the reason is the hard work, skill, and enthusiasm of educators like Erin Quinlan,” said Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts. “Her dedication to her students and her commitment to her school represents the best of Rhode Island educators, and I am pleased that the Milken Family Foundation has granted Erin this important award.”

“The Captain Paine School is a great example of a Rhode Island school with high achievement, strong community involvement, and a culture that’s focused on teaching and learning,” said Board of Education Chair Eva-Marie Mancuso. “As a reading specialist and instructional coach, Erin Quinlan plays a vital role in the success of this school and its students, and she is most deserving of this award from the Milken Family Foundation. I congratulate Erin on this honor, and I know she will represent Rhode Island well as our 2014 Milken Educator.”

“Teachers at the Captain Paine School recognize Erin Quinlan as a trusted colleague who has made major contributions to student learning,” said Patrick A. Guida, Chair of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education. “Through her work on curriculum, her mentoring of beginning teachers, and her focus on professional development, Erin truly is a team player who is committed to improving instruction and to advancing the teaching profession – and the Milken Family Foundation today has honored Erin for her commitment.”

“Although this is only Erin Quinlan’s second year at the Captain Paine School, she has already had quite an influence on the school culture and on student achievement,” said Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist. “Erin is co-chair of the Curricular Revision subcommittee, she co-runs the school Learning Celebrations, and she also co-chairs the Student Council, where she helped organize summer-safety commercials. Erin has been a mentor to beginning teachers at Captain Paine, and she is now enrolled in the Principal Residency Program. Folks at the school say that Erin touches just about every aspect of the school environment. Erin has made a great impression at Captain Paine, and she has impressed all of us as well as our newest winner of a Milken Educator Award.”

“It speaks volumes about Erin’s instructional expertise and leadership that both new and veteran teachers seek to collaborate with her,” said Dr. Jane Foley, senior vice-president of the Milken Educator Awards and a 1994 Milken Educator recipient from Indiana. “Even though relatively new to the profession with six years as an educator, she is already highly respected in her school due to her deep knowledge of effective teaching and her calm, supportive demeanor.”

“Erin Quinlan is looked upon as a leader by her colleagues and is one of the professionals I rely most heavily upon when I have a difficult decision to make, a question about instruction, or if I need somebody to aid in my reflection on a situation,” said Caroline Caswell, Foster School Superintendent. “She is a lifelong learner, and she is dedicated to continuing to evolve as an educational leader.”

A Providence resident, Quinlan is in her second year as a reading specialist and instructional coach at the Captain Isaac Paine Elementary School. Previously, she taught in the East Providence schools. She began her teaching career as a music teacher and band director in schools in Minnesota. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, and she holds a master’s degree in education leadership from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

The Milken Educator Awards program provides recognition and unrestricted financial awards of $25,000 to exceptional elementary- and secondary-school teachers, principals, and specialists who are furthering excellence in American schools. This year, the Milken Family Foundation will honor up to 40 educators.

Each year, exceptional educators – considered without their knowledge by a panel of experts appointed by each state department of education – are surprised with the news of their $25,000 awards, which they can use in any way they choose. Rhode Island joined the program in 1990, and to date 72 Rhode Island educators have received Milken Educator Awards. 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.

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

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

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 and watch the reaction videos at www.youtube.com/milkenaward.

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