Oregon Educators Receive Milken Award

Milken Family Foundation

Two High School Educators Receive Milken National Educator Awards - and $25,000!

SALEM - State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo announced today that John P. O'Neill Jr. (Forest Grove High School, Forest Grove School District) and Elisa Schorr (Pursuit of Wellness at Roosevelt, Portland Public Schools) have been selected as recipients of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award - and each will receive a $25,000 cash award.  Superintendent Castillo and Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President, Milken Educator Awards, Milken Family Foundation made the surprise award announcements at two all-school assemblies on Thursday morning.

"The single most important factor in student achievement is the quality of the instruction in the classroom," Castillo said. "Oftentimes the excellent educators who provide that education go unrecognized.  The Milken National Educator Award provides the recognition these great educators deserve."

"Milken Educator Award recipients are honored for what they have achieved, but even more for what they will accomplish. In this way, these Awards anticipate lifetime achievement. They recognize lifetime promise," said Milken Family Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken.

Prior to Principal John O'Neill's arrival at Forest Grove High School (FGHS) 6 years ago, 50% of students met the state reading benchmarks and in 2006-07, 70% met the state reading benchmarks. Scores in math also jumped from 29% in the 2001-02 school year to 68% in 2006-07.

"Through small school learning communities, reading and math enrichment courses, and an empowered staff, John has led FGHS to exceptional status," Castillo said.  "Under John's superb leadership, FGHS has been awarded the Celebrating Student Success award for closing the achievement gap for two consecutive years." 

"Through the implementation of a School Improvement Plan, Principal John O'Neill is credited with transforming Forest Grove High School into a place of substantial academic improvement. From a transition program for incoming freshman to an expanded Advanced Placement curriculum, Mr. O'Neill is intent on creating a school environment where all students can thrive and succeed," said Foley.

Elisa Schorr's leadership and creative teaching methods make her a valuable asset to her students and school.  Elisa teaches in a very diverse school, dedicating additional time before school, during lunch, and on weekends to help her students succeed.

"Elisa is the leader of the science department and nearly every committee in the school, including this year's school leadership team that is serving in place of a building principal," said Castillo.  "She volunteers to lead many school improvement committees and the administration requests that she be a part of almost all decision making activities."

"Elisa Schorr is a major driving force behind the success of the science program at Pursuit of Wellness at Roosevelt which has become so popular that students enroll in additional science courses as electives. By adjusting her teaching to accommodate different cultures and learning styles, using small groups to help students gain support from one another, and incorporating relevant, hands-on and technology infused lessons, Ms. Schorr's rigorous classes keep students engaged and excelling," said Foley.

Oregon is one of 48 states and the District of Columbia participating in the Milken Educator Awards program.  Since joining the program in 1990, 69 (includes the 2007 recipients) Oregon educators have received over $1.725 million in recognition of their achievement on behalf of students.  In addition to the unrestricted $25,000 financial award, each Milken Educator Award recipient becomes a member of an elite group of nationally recognized awardees called the Milken Educator Network, totaling over 2,300 top educators from around the country.  The award recipient also receives an all-expense-paid trip to Los Angeles, CA to participate in the annual Milken Family Foundation National Education Conference.

Recipients of the award are recommended to the Foundation by an independent blue ribbon panel appointed by each participating state's department of education.  Criteria include exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school; exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession; and an engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues, and the community.  The Milken Educator Awards were established in 1985 by Lowell Milken to reward, retain, and attract the highest caliber teachers in the profession.  Today, the Milken Educator Awards is the nation's largest teacher recognition program.

back to newsletter archive