Article Contributed on: 10/20/2006 3:23:56 PM
Jeffco Public Schools is celebrating its third teacher, in as many years, to receive a prestigious Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.
Karen Brown, a third and fourth grade teacher in the Gifted and Talented Center at Coronado Elementary School, learned she was a Milken award winner during a surprise assembly on Friday, Oct. 20, at her school.
The Milken Awards are called the "Oscars of Teaching" by Teacher Magazine and were created by the Milken Family Foundation to celebrate and elevate teachers across the country.
Officials from the Milken Foundation presented her with a check for $25,000 in unrestricted prize money. She is one of 100 educators across the nation who given the prestigious award this year. "I am at a loss for words except to say that I am shocked and excited," said Brown tearfully. Brown has been a teacher at Coronado since 2001 and was surrounded at the assembly by her students and fellow teachers.
"Karen exemplifies the very best of what a teacher should be. She works tirelessly to provide a rich learning opportunity for the children at Coronado," said
Nancy Graeve, principal at Coronado Elementary School. Brown will receive her award next spring when she travels to the Milken National Education Conference in Los Angeles.