Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

10/5/06

NEWS RELEASE
Auburn School District Teacher Lisa Stanton
Wins $25,000 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award

Lisa Stanton, a fourth grade teacher at Pioneer Elementary School, woke up early Wednesday morning unbeknownst to the recognition, respect and large $25,000 financial reward awaiting her at school.

Annually the Milken Family Foundation honors the important roles teachers play in improving student achievement by awarding 100 deserving teachers with $25,000 cash prizes. The Milken National Educator Awards are considered to be the “Oscars of Teaching,” according to Teacher Magazine, and were created by Milken Family Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken to celebrate, elevate and activate the highest caliber professionals in our nation’s schools. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Milken National Educator Awards, and all awardees this year are elementary educators. Mrs. Stanton is one of only two teachers in the state of Washington who received this honor.

During a surprise school assembly packed with the entire student body, staff, dignitaries and media, Mrs. Stanton was called to the front of the gymnasium to accept her cash prize. She thanked her students and especially her colleagues for their unconditional support, acknowledging the teamwork it takes to achieve success.

Mrs. Stanton was selected for this prestigious honor without her knowledge by a blue-ribbon panel appointed by the state of Washington’s department of education. Her selection was based on her talent and effectiveness as an educator including her classroom model and instructional strategies for math computation; research skills and breadth of knowledge; technologically and research based teaching style; leadership; National Board Certification; and most importantly her passion for educating children.

This spring Mrs. Stanton and the 99 other recipients will receive their $25,000 checks at an inspiring awards ceremony held during the Milken National Education Conference in Los Angeles, California.

For more information contact Amy Spence, public information officer, at (253) 931-4713.