Tag Archives: Elementary Teachers

Elementary teacher and 2018 Milken Award winner Chad Downs of Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Chad Downs

Elementary school teacher and 2018 Milken Award winner Chad Downs of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Our students are very lucky to have so many talented educators staffing our public schools. These hardworking individuals work tirelessly to develop innovative and effective instructional programs, and they genuinely care about their students. One of these is Chad Downs, a third and fourth grade teacher from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

“I’ve wanted to be a teacher since eighth grade,” Chad confesses. “A lot of my family are teachers, so going to family get-togethers, there’s a lot of talking shop,” he says. “I spend a lot of time thinking about school and really making a difference and impacting students,” Chad reveals.

Chad earned his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2003 from Eastern Michigan University, and his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Concordia University in 2008. He currently works at Ann Arbor Open School in Ann Arbor. An open school is defined as a public progressive school that offers an emphasis on the Common Core standards, building relationships with students and their families, and a focus on critical thinking skills.

In his classroom, Chad emphasizes project-based learning, real-life experiences, individually tailored instruction, and parent involvement. Chad encourages his students to direct their own studies and track their own progress. In addition, he invites guest speakers to come to his room and talk about their careers, and he organizes field trips to nearby cities and museums. He asks his students to write letters home every week that summarize their achievement and keep their parents informed. He also likes to play games with his kids.

Within his school, Chad has served in several leadership roles, including Co-Curricular Director and Athletic Director. He works on a committee that plans an annual professional development conference, an overnight event held offsite every March for the past 37 years. The conference, which is led by educators for educators, offers presentations by experts on topics of interest, and provides opportunities for conversation about struggles and successes.

The Milken Educator Awards have been described by Teacher magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to the $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,700 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who work towards strengthening best practices in education. Chad is one of up to 40 educators, and the only one from Michigan, who received the Milken Educator Award for the 2018-2019 year. To learn more, click on Milken Educator Awards.

Teacher Melissa Nicholson takes her pigs, Prissy and Pop, to her classroom every day

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Melissa Nicholson

First grade teacher Melissa Nicholson escorts her two pet pigs, Prissy and Pop, to her classroom every day.

You’ve got to love first grade teacher Melissa Nicholson of Jacksonville, Florida. She brings her two pet pigs, Prissy and Pop, to her classroom at the Bolles School in Ponte Vedra every day.

“I try to incorporate them into as many different learning activities as possible,” says Melissa. “They’re great when we’re learning math—measurement, weight and other lessons. My students also like to read to the pigs. They’re so expressive, and it helps the kids gain confidence in their reading. I’ve even had parents tell me the pigs are the reason their child likes to read.”

Melissa says the pigs are very well-suited to the classroom. They are hypoallergenic, so there is no danger of a student having a reaction to the animals. They are potty-pad-trained and go to the bathroom when the kids are out of the room.

Prissy, the girl, is five years old. The boy, Popleton, who prefers to be called Pop, is four years old. Both piggies love to dress up in outfits that reflect Melissa’s lesson for the day, such as reading a Dr. Seuss book for the annual Read Across America event.

To chronicle the life of her special pigs, Melissa has written two children’s books with Prissy and Pop as the main characters. The books, “Prissy and Pop: Big Day Out” and “Prissy and Pop Deck the Halls,” are available on Amazon. Prissy and Pop even have a following on Instagram.

We love it, Melissa!For more about this creative teacher and her adorable classroom pets, see the story on We Are Teachers.com.

Texas teacher Krystal Contreras wins Milken Award

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Krystal Contreras

Fourth grade writing teacher Krystal Contreras of Texas, winner of a 2018-2019 Milken Award.

America’s students are very fortunate to have many talented educators staffing our public schools. They work tirelessly to develop innovative and effective instructional programs, and they genuinely care about their students. One of these is Krystal Contreras, a fourth grade writing teacher from San Benito, Texas.

Krystal is a long-time resident of San Benito. As a youngster, she attended the school where she now teaches, Cash Elementary. She has served 14 years as an educator at that school. After she graduated from San Benito High School, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Communications from the University of Texas Pan American in 2004.

Krystal has a reputation for seeking new strategies to add to her instructional program. Her classroom is organized and welcoming, with a flexible seating arrangement. Sometimes she re-arranges her furniture to simulate a picnic or uses black lights to make a point. She frequently asks her students to work in small groups, often with laptops. Krystal tutors after school and on Saturdays, making extra learning sessions fun by incorporating engaging activities and games. From the 2016-17 school year to the 2017-18 school year, the school’s fourth-graders who passed their end-of-year writing assessments increased from 82% to 87%. Both years, the percentage was the highest in her school district. To achieve these results, Krystal spent her summer researching new writing strategies and attending professional development workshops. Above all, this dedicated educator works towards helping her students become independent problem solvers.

“I have always known that I wanted to be a teacher,” recalled Krystal. “I remember playing school with my brother in my bedroom when we were young,” she continued. “I love trying to make an impact for the children of my community.”

The Milken Educator Awards has been described by Teacher magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to the $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,700 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who work towards strengthening best practices in education. Krystal is one of up to 40 educators, and the only one from Texas, who received the Milken Educator Award for the 2018-2019 year.

Milken Educator Brian Quinn, from Silver Spring, Maryland

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Brian Quinn

Milken Educator award winner Brian Quinn, a fourth grade mathematics teacher from Silver Spring, Maryland.

American schools are very fortunate to enjoy the benefit of a multitude  of talented educators. One of these is Brian Quinn, a fourth grade mathematics teacher at East Silver Spring Elementary School in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 2018, Brian was recognized for his work with a Milken Educator Award.

Brian earned his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Salisbury University in 2006. He completed the requirements for his Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction for middle school mathematics from the University of Maryland in 2013.

In Brian’s classroom, students play board games and computer games, they work together in small groups using cooperative learning strategies, and they even create their own math games, designing the rules and writing instructions for their classmates to follow.

“If mathematics is the music of reason, Brian Quinn is a gifted conductor bringing the best out of his fourth-grade ensemble,” Jane Foley, the Milken Family Foundation vice president, said. “As a strong proponent of project-based learning, technology integration and smart data, he brings math to all of his learners so they can maximize their potential,” she continued. “We commend Quinn’s creativity, drive and dedication, qualities we value deeply in Milken Educators,” Foley concluded.

The Milken Educator Awards has been described by Teacher magazine as the “Oscars of Teaching.” In addition to the $25,000 cash prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,700 exemplary teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who work towards strengthening best practices in education. Brian is the only teacher in Maryland to receive the award this year. He is one of up to 40 educators to receive the Milken Educator Award for the 2018-2019 year.

Former elementary teacher and politician Sheryl Allen

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Sheryl Allen

Former elementary teacher and politician Sheryl Allen from Bountiful, Utah.

Many times talented classroom teachers go on to successful careers in politics. One of these educators is Sheryl Allen, an elementary school teacher who served in the Utah State House of Representatives.

Sheryl was born on June 30, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1965, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and in 1990 she completed the requirements for her master’s degree in Educational Administration, both at the University of Utah.

After serving as an elementary school teacher for a number of years, Sheryl served as first a member and then the president of the Davis County Board of Education. Her 12 years of service on the Board began in 1977 and ended in 1989.

In 1994, Sheryl was elected on the Republican ticket to represent the 19th District in the Utah House of Representatives. She served in this capacity until 2011. During her many years in the Utah Legislature, Sheryl was a tireless champion of children and her state’s educational system. In addition, she was an outspoken advocate for ethics reform and transparency in government, and she was an indefatigable leader in economic development and international trade.

In addition to her experience in the classroom and in the legislature, Sheryl worked for the Davis Applied Technology College. She was the Public Relations Director from 1985 to 1995, and the Custom Fit Coordinator from 1985 to 1990. She was also a member of the Davis Higher Education Center Committee and the Utah Strategic Planning Committee for Higher Education. In 2005, the Utah School Board Association named Sheryl Legislator of the Year. She was also named the National Legislator for the Arts Award from Americans for the Arts.

At age 75, Sheryl is now retired. She resides in Bountiful, Utah.