Happy Hanukkah! As we celebrate the festival of lights and take note of the miracles of light and life all around us, I’d like to let you know about a particular “shamash” who creates a vibrant spark at Temple Emanuel. Marnie Greenwald, 1st grade teacher at Temple Emanuel Academy Day School, recently was the recipient of the annual Milken Family Foundation award. Awarded to only four Southern California based, Jewish Private School teachers, the award is considered to be the preeminent award among Jewish Day School Educators. Marnie has illuminated the lives of so many students during her tenure as a teacher. She instills a passion for learning, and brings light to the faces and more importantly to the minds of the next generation.
The Milken Educator Awards are the nation's preeminent teacher recognition program, having honored more than 2,500 K-12 teachers, principals and specialists coast to coast with over $63 million in individual, unrestricted $25,000 awards. A total of $137 million has been devoted to the overall program, which includes powerful professional development opportunities throughout the recipients’ careers in education. Awardees are heralded for what they have achieved… and for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future.
Launched by education reform leader Lowell Milken to celebrate, and elevate, the Awards program showcases in a very public way that greatness in education must be recognized and rewarded. For a quarter-century, the Milken Educator Awards have been instrumental in communicating to parents and policymakers the proven fact that the quality of the teacher in the classroom is the most important school-based factor in determining student achievement.
In the fall, when the notifications are made during all-school assemblies—filled with cheering students, proud colleagues, an entourage of distinguished officials and the media—each new Milken Educator is caught completely by surprise. In a moment's time, they experience well-deserved acclaim and receive what Teacher Magazine hails as the "Oscars of Teaching."
Click here to see Marnie as she is notified of her award in front of the entire school http://www.mff.org/newsroom/news.taf?page=videos&init=JEA&dateYear=&vid=1211
We are all so proud of Marnie as she continues to light the path for our students, opening their minds and hearts to the world.
Cantor Yonah Kliger
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