Fourth grade mathematics teacher Erica Stephens from Memphis, Tennessee, garners prestigious 2018 Milken Award.
Our country is so fortunate to have so many dedicated and talented educators working in our public schools. One of these is Erica Stephens, a fourth grade mathematics teacher at John P. Freeman Optional School located in Memphis, Tennessee.
Erica uses innovative approaches that encourage her students to explore real-world solutions to real-world problems. She is part of her school’s leadership and data teams. She uses her understanding of data analysis to understand every student’s needs, and she tailors her instruction to meet those needs. Last year, students in her math classes exceeded projected growth scores on the Shelby County Schools’ formative assessment, with 86% of the children testing at the proficient level or higher.
Erica is also committed to helping her colleagues improve their teaching skills. As fourth-grade team leader, Erica has participated in the principal’s advisory team. She is a mentor for both beginning and veteran teachers, and she conducts professional development at her school, for her district, and on a national level, including leading discussions on Eureka Math, a curriculum she pioneered in her school district.
The Milken Educator Awards, which Teacher magazine has described as the “Oscars of Teaching,” has been honoring exceptional educators over 30 years. Milken Educators are selected in early to mid-career for what they have achieved to date, and for the promise of what they will accomplish as they continue through their careers. 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 top teachers, principals, and specialists from all over the country who are dedicated to strengthening education.
Erica completed the requirements for her Bachelor’s degree in 2002 from Middle Tennessee State University, a public institution of higher learning located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
