When 4th and 5th grade teacher Deidre Austen attended a morning assembly at Lutherville Laboratory for Science, Mathematics & Communications, she had no idea she was the guest of honor. Austen happily accepted a $25,000 prize today from Maryland State Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick, during a surprise school assembly. An educator for 14 years, Austen is free to use the no-strings attached cash prize in any manner she chooses when she receives the actual monetary award at the Milken Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. this April. Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Hairston and Baltimore County Executive James Smith were also in attendance to congratulate the winner.
"Deidre Austen is an outstanding educator with great potential to provide inspiration to students, colleagues and the community," said Dr. Grasmick. "Her exemplary instructional practices include implementing an Independent Reading Program to encourage students to increase the amount of time spent on outside reading.”
“Mrs. Austen’s capabilities as a teacher are most obvious when instructing students with a wide range of abilities ranging from Gifted and Talented to Special Education,” said Stephanie Fanshaw, Lutherville Laboratory Assistant Principal. “Her persistence and high expectations enable her to help all students maximize their learning potential while meeting their unique academic and emotional needs,” Fanshaw saidThe Milken Awards program began in 1985. The program is sponsored by the Milken Family Foundation in cooperation with the Maryland State Department of Education. It is designed to celebrate and reward educators who are making great strides in improving the nation's education system. Its goals are to heighten public recognition of the teaching profession, foster professional development, and encourage talented men and women to enter the field. Recipients cannot apply for the Milken Family Foundation Award. They must be identified by their supervisors, colleagues, and co-workers.
Criteria considered include exceptional talent; distinguished achievement in developing innovative educational curricula, programs, and methods; outstanding ability to develop students’ character and self confidence; and commitment to professional development.
To date, 45 Maryland educators have been honored by the Milken Family Foundation with more than $1 million since the state began participating eleven years ago.