The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Department
State House Boston, MA 02133
(617) 725-4000
MITT ROMNEY
GOVERNOR
KERRY HEALEY
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 3, 2003 CONTACT:
Shawn Feddeman
Nicole St. Peter
(617) 725-4025
Heidi Perlman
(781) 338-3106
HEALEY PRESENTS SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER WITH $25,000 AWARD
TYNGSBORO– Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey today honored Michael Barton, a ninth grade social studies teacher at the Greater Lowell Technical High School, with a $25,000 check from the Milken Family Foundational National Educator Awards.
“We place an enormous responsibility on our teachers to educate our children and prepare them for the future,” said Healey. “The Milken Awards allow us to honor our outstanding educators for their unwavering dedication, commitment and talent.”
Michael Barton, a ninth grade social studies teacher, was unaware he had been nominated for the award by his colleagues until his name was announced by Healey at a school assembly at Greater Lowell Technical High School. Barton is one of 100 educators across the nation being honored by the Milken Foundation. The other Massachusetts recipient, Principal Timothy Farmer of Franklin’s Remington Middle School, received his award last month.
The recipients each receive a check for $25,000, a trip to Washington D.C. for a two-day conference and awards ceremony, and membership in a network of the nearly 2000 educators from around the country who have been honored since the first award was given in 1987. This marks the seventh year Massachusetts has participated in the program.
“We cannot have excellent schools without excellent educators who are tireless, dedicated and committed to the success of our children,” said Education Commissioner David Driscoll. “Our students deserve the very best from their teachers, and Michael Barton is an example of one who offers them nothing less every day.”
A teacher for nine years, Barton recently returned from Japan, where he studied briefly as a Fulbright scholar. His colleagues say he engages his students in the classroom using creativity and his own enthusiasm for the subject matter. He often seeks out fellow teachers to discuss and exchange strategies and frequently participates in community events.
In his letter of recommendation, supervisor E. Dennis Murphy lauded Barton for having a teaching style that is “more art than science.”
“Mr. Barton is a tireless and knowledgeable professional,” he wrote. “He is respected by his colleagues, responsible to organizational goals and objectives and he is dependable when that door closes in Room 3550 each period every school day.”
The Milken award is given annually to unsuspecting teachers, principals and educators from around the country. Known as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the awards were created by the foundation as a way to reward, attract and retain top educators in the nation’s public schools.
The Massachusetts recipients were selected by an independent statewide Blue Ribbon panel of superintendents, teachers and other educators. Predetermined criteria for the award include exceptional educational talent and promise, skill in developing innovative and creative educational curricula, programs and/or teaching method; commitment to professional development and ability to instill self confidence in students.
Brothers Lowell and Michael Milken established the Milken Family Foundation in 1982 to support education and health care nationwide. The educator recognition program is the largest in the United States. By the end of this year, nearly 2,000 educators from 47 states will have been recognized since the first awards were presented in 1987.
“By choosing to practice in the most noble and important profession, our nation’s talented educators make a lasting contribution to young people’s minds, imaginations and characters,” said Lowell Milken. “We are proud to honor the outstanding work of these gifted teachers, providing them with the recognition they so richly deserve.”
For more information about the Milken National Educator Awards, check the Foundation’s Web site at www.mff.org.
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