Teacher receives Milken award

Eagle Valley Middle School science teacher Eric Anderson on Thursday became the third Carson City teacher to win the prestigious Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

Anderson is one of four Nevada teachers selected this year to receive the award; other teachers will be announced soon. 

"The Milken Family Foundation believes as I do _ the future belongs to educators," Dr. Julius Lesner, foundation executive vice president, said as he prepared to give Anderson the award at Eagle Valley Thursday. "We want to spotlight, reward and thank outstanding teachers. They are the people that make this country grow. It's not too often that teachers get recognition for the things they do."

An independent Blue Ribbon Committee appointed by each state's department of education selects recipients of the award. Criteria include distinguished achievement in developing innovative curricula, outstanding ability to instill students with sound values and commitment to professional development and excellence among others.

The process takes about 10 months from nomination to award _ but Thursday's announcement was a surprise to Anderson. Lesner, Mary Peterson, state superintendent of public instruction, Carson City Schools Superintendent Jim Parry and other administrators arrived at the impromptu school assembly attended by several students and teachers to announce the award. 

"This is a huge honor," Anderson said as he recovered from the surprise amid a standing ovation from the crowd. "You are the ones who make this all worthwhile.

"Someone once told me, you're not really defined by what you do. But in my case, what I am is a teacher. I've tried other things but in the end, that's what I do. This is just really powerful." 

Anderson is in his second year at Eagle Valley, where he teaches eighth grade science and serves as the Title II Science Coordinator of curriculum and professional development for the district.

Prior to his current assignment, Anderson served as the K-12 science consultant for the Nevada Department of Education for two years. Before that, he taught in the Clark County School District for nine years.

He has received numerous awards and recognition during his educational career. In 1995, he received the Presidential Award of Excellence in Science Teaching and in 1992, 1993 and 1995, he received the Nevada Award for Excellence in Science Teaching.

Parry said, "(Anderson) couldn't be more deserving. He is the kind of teacher who makes education completely real, endlessly interesting and endlessly challenging for his students. 

"He also gives so much outside the classroom. I can't think of a better person to get this award."

Fact file: The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards provide recognition and an unrestricted financial award of $25,000 to exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and other education professionals who are furthering excellence in education.

There will be 172 recipients in 41 states this year.