WEIRTON - A Weirton teacher was surprised Monday with an award in recognition for her contributions to quality education.
Weir High English teacher Lissa Dulick was presented with the Milken National Educator Award by representatives of the Milken Family Foundation during an assembly at the school Monday.
As part of the award, Dulick, who has been teaching for more than eight years, was presented with $25,000.
"Teachers have the most important jobs in America," said Milken Family Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken. "We entrust them with the enormous responsibility of preparing our young people with the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to be successful in a most challenging 21st century. The Milken Educator Awards say, in a very public way, that greatness in education must be recognized and rewarded."
Colleagues say that Dulick brings creativity into her lessons which engages students and gets them excited about learning.
She not only challenges her students in unique, fresh ways, she also knows her students. She knows when to challenge them, when to encourage them, and, sometimes just as important, when to leave the students to their own undertaking.
Dulick has her master's degree in English from West Virginia University and also earned her National Board Certification, the highest teaching certification in the United States.
The Milken Educator Awards have no formal nomination or application process. Educators are recommended for this honor without their knowledge by a blue-ribbon panel appointed by each state's department of education.
Candidates for the Milken Educator Awards are selected on the basis of the following criteria:
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;
Strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership;
Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.
For more information about the Milken Educator Awards contact the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4775 or visit www.mff.org.
