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Colchester, Connecticut, Teacher Surprised with $25,000 Honor

Bacon Academy’s Peter Arseneault wins prestigious Milken Educator Award

November 12, 2015

Santa Monica, CA — In a surprise presentation today at a school assembly, Bacon Academy technology education teacher Peter Arseneault was presented with a 2015 Milken Educator Award and the $25,000 prize that comes with it.

Connecticut Commissioner of Education Dr. Dianna R. Wentzell, Colchester Superintendent Jeffry P. Mathieu, Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley, and other officials were on hand to witness the emotional presentation, along with students, faculty and community members.

“Peter Arseneault is the kind of teacher who not only prepares his students for the challenges of college and career, but also inspires them to think bigger about what they can accomplish in the world,” Wentzell said. “He connects students with real-life learning opportunities that give them the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in high-tech fields that will bolster Connecticut’s economy and make our planet a greener place to live. We congratulate Mr. Arseneault, Bacon Academy and Colchester Public Schools on this well-deserved honor.”

“Peter Arseneault equips students with vital science and technological skills to succeed in college, career and life,” said Foley. “His dedication to making tech education exciting for all students is inspiring. I look forward to following his continued progress as a member of the Milken Educator family.”

Arseneault is a teacher who understands that technology skills are key to competing in a global economy. Known at Bacon Academy for bringing project-based technology education into the 21st century, Arseneault reaches all of his students, including those who face the most challenges, and motivates them to graduate and go on to successful careers. His engaging teaching methods and ability to make the skills learned in the classroom relevant to everyday life have made tech education attractive for students of all backgrounds and interests.

Addressing the changing demands of today’s educational landscape, Arseneault developed two new classes—Technology Repair as well as Science and Alternative Energy co-taught with a biology teacher.

In the alternative energy course, his students pair the science behind alternative energy sources with the hands-on application of building solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal heating and cooling systems. Frequently working in teams to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems, Arseneault’s students developed an energy-generating panel built from recycled materials and built their own solar heaters.

In his automotive tech class, every problem becomes a learning experience. Students repair engines for community members, perform maintenance on teachers’ cars and often work on their own cars during study hall.  There are waitlists for all the classes that Arsenault offers.

The enthusiasm and diligence of Arseneault’s students are reflected in their dramatic improvement on the career and technical education (CTE) assessment over a two-year period. His auto tech students went from a 33 to a 40 and his advanced auto tech class students jumped from a 40 to a 55. He has also increased the number of students taking the exam.

Arseneault is community-focused and regularly connects with local businesses to gather materials for educating his students. He reaches out to large businesses to provide exploratory opportunities for students and uses these connections to facilitate regional professional development for colleagues in surrounding schools. This allows educators to understand the demands their students will face in the real world. Colleagues appreciate the countless hours he spends coordinating the Perkins grant, which has helped to purchase 3D printers, graphics software and facilities for the school’s food services courses.

Arseneault graduated with a Bachelor of Science in technology education in 2007 from Central Connecticut State University.

Since Connecticut joined the program in 1988, the Milken Family Foundation has honored 93 educators from the state.

More information about Arseneault, plus photos and a video from today’s assembly, can be found on the Milken Educator Awards website at http://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/peter-arseneault.

The Milken Educator Awards program has been described as “the Oscars of teaching” by Teacher magazine. Recipients are selected in early to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. Many have gone on to earn advanced degrees and be placed in prominent posts and on state and national education committees.

Alternating yearly between elementary and secondary educators, the Milken 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.

This year, MFF launched a #MyTeacherRocks Instagram campaign that encourages students to take selfies with their favorite teacher and describe in the caption why their teacher is special. To enter the contest, entrants are asked to follow @MilkenFamilyFdn on Instagram, post their selfie to their individual account and use the #MyTeacherRocks and #MilkenAward hashtags. The three photos with the most “likes” will be selected in November 2015, and February and April 2016.

To get regular updates on the surprise Milken Educator Award events, follow and use the #MilkenAward hashtag on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about the Milken Educator Awards, visit www.MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call MFF at (310) 570-4772.

The Milken Educator Awards tour is on social media at https://instagram.com/milkenfamilyfdn; www.facebook.com/milkeneducatorawards; www.twitter.com/milken; and www.youtube.com/milkenaward.

The Milken Educator Awards, created by the Milken Family Foundation, were launched in 1987. The Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education. Recipients are heralded in early to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish.

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