Vol. 39, No. 39
November 2, 2005
Rockwood Teacher Wins $25,000 Milken Award
Andy Gensler, a high school language arts teacher in the Rockwood School District, is a winner of the 2005 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award, state education officials announced today.
The honor includes an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000.
Commissioner of Education D. Kent King made the surprise announcement of his selection during an all-school assembly this morning. Richard Sandler, executive vice president of the Milken Family Foundation, joined Dr. King in making the announcement.
Mr. Gensler is a language arts teacher for grades 9, 10 and 12 at Eureka High School. He is beginning his sixth year in the profession. He has served on curriculum writing committees and the district’s research paper guide committee. He is a member of the school effectiveness team, which incorporates parents, community members, students and teachers into the school-improvement process.
His colleagues describe him as a respected educator who has a strong desire to improve and try the latest instructional techniques. He establishes strong relationships with his students and strives to motivate learners of all abilities. He is co-sponsor of the school’s student council and sponsor of the Anime (Japanese animation) Club.
Mr. Gensler was chosen by students and faculty as the 2004-05 Eureka High School Teacher of the Year and won the Rockwood School District’s Teacher of the Year award.
Milken National Educator Award
Mr. Gensler is one of two Missouri educators chosen for the award this year by the Milken Family Foundation and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The foundation is based in Santa Monica, Calif.
Mr. Gensler did not know he was being considered for the award. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education coordinates the state-level selection process and appoints an independent panel of educators who recommend candidates for the award. Criteria for the Milken National Educator Award include:
- Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by outstanding instructional practices in the classroom, school and profession;
- Outstanding accomplishment and strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
- Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.
“By recognizing and rewarding outstanding educators each year, we focus the nation’s attention on the critical need to attract, retain and motivate caring, capable people to the American teaching profession,” said Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation.
“Research shows that the single most important factor in student achievement is the quality of the teacher in the classroom. We are proud to honor outstanding Missouri educators like Andy Gensler,” Commissioner King said.
This fall, the Milken Family Foundation will name up to 100 exemplary educators and administrators in public schools in 48 states and the District of Columbia as this year’s recipients of the Milken Educator Awards.