October 18, 2007

LANSING, Mich. – Mr. Brian Langley, a chemistry and physics teacher at Novi High School in Novi Community Schools, received news today of a $25,000 cash award – no strings attached - during a visit to the school from Jane Foley of the Milken Family Foundation, Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan, and members of the State Board of Education as part of the Milken Family Foundation’s National Educator Awards Program.

“Brian Langley is an outstanding teacher.” Flanagan said. “He demonstrates exemplary educational practices and always endeavors to improve his teaching techniques and explore new strategies in his classroom.”

From the state capital, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said: “I feel honored to recognize Brian as an outstanding Michigan educator, a teacher who is always striving to give more to his students” said Granholm. “I think of Michigan’s dedicated teachers as heroes and see Brian Langley as a hero among heroes.”

Mr. Peter Dion, Superintendent of the Novi Community Schools, stated, “Mr. Brian Langley personifies all of the qualities of a master teacher and serves as an excellent role model for his students and colleagues.

Langley is one of only 80 teachers nationwide this year to receive the Milken National Educator Award, dubbed the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine. This marks the 21st anniversary of recognizing excellence in education by the Milken Family Foundation.

Research shows that the single most important school-based factor impacting student achievement is having a talented teacher in the classroom. The difference between an effective and ineffective teacher can be a full grade level of student achievement in a single year.

Award Criteria

Unlike most teaching awards, the Milken National Educator Awards have no formal nomination or application process. Without their knowledge, educators are recommended for this prestigious honor 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; and
  
• Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.
  

Recipients are presented with their unrestricted $25,000 award checks at the spring Milken National Education Conference in Los Angeles, California

For more information about the Milken Educator Awards, and the surprise notification events held throughout the United States, please access the Milken Family Foundation website at www.mff.org or contact them at 310-570-4775.