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

The 2014 “Oscar of Teaching” Presented by Dr. Margie Vandeven,
Deputy Commissioner of Education, in O’Fallon

October 16, 2014

SANTA MONICA, CA — Jessica Karll, a third grade teacher at Discovery Ridge Elementary School in O’Fallon, has been named the winner of a Milken Educator Award that includes an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000. Wentzville R-IV district officials called a surprise assembly for the announcement today at Discovery Ridge. Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley of the Milken Educator Awards made the presentation. Dr. Margie Vandeven, deputy commissioner of education, was on hand for the celebration and helped surprise Karll.

“Jessica is deeply dedicated to the teaching profession and to her students, and that is reflected in this tremendous honor,” said Dr. Vandeven. “Because of teachers like Jessica, Missouri can make progress toward its goal of ranking among the top ten states in education by 2020.”

Karll has taught third grade at Discovery Ridge Elementary since 2010. She serves as co-chair of the CHARACTERplus Caring School Community committee and chairs the Missouri Assessment Program committee for the school. Prior to her career at Discovery Ridge, Karll worked at Prairie View Elementary, also in the Wentzville R-IV district. She was named Discovery Ridge Elementary Teacher of the Year and the Wentzville School District Teacher of the Year in 2011-12. Karll received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and holds a master’s degree from Lindenwood University. She is currently working toward her master’s degree in school administration from Lindenwood.

The Milken Educator Awards are given each year to outstanding K–12 teachers, principals and specialists who are furthering excellence in education. Missouri has been participating in the Milken Awards since 1996. Since then, a total of 45 Missouri educators have been honored with the Milken prize. Recipients join the Milken Educator Network, a group of distinguished educators fostering effective educational leadership.

Preparing, developing and supporting effective educators is a primary goal of Missouri’s Top 10 by 20 initiative, which calls for Missouri to rank among the top ten states in educational performance by 2020.

The Milken Family Foundation first presented the Milken Educator Awards in 1987. Recipients can use their $25,000 award in any way they choose. 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. 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.

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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