WASHINGTON — We're getting uplifted with a special honor for an outstanding D.C. educator who received what's referred to as the Oscar of teaching.
Members of the Milken Family Foundation and the D.C. Superintendent of Education, Dr. Christina Grant, were on hand to present Ms. Kelly Maranchuck on BASIS D.C. Harter School in Northwest D.C. with the $25,000 Milken Educator Award. Ms. Maranchuck is the only teacher in the District to win the award this school year.
“A great education starts with great educators, and Kelly Maranchuck helps lead the way for teachers and students at BASIS Washington, D.C. Her dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to high expectations inspire those same values in others,” said Mike Milken. “Kelly represents the outstanding educators our nation needs to ensure a bright future for the next generation. Congratulations.”
The Milken Educator Award honors up to 75 educators across the country. The national recognition is awarded to those who serve as a model for the state and the country. The Milken Family Foundation is expected to name its 3,000th Milken Educator next year.
Secrecy was a big part of the excitement leading up to the honor. Not even staff and students could know ahead of the presentation. Educators can't apply, and aren't even aware of their candidacy before being announced at school assemblies. Check out her reaction.
An American University graduate, Maranchuck is a natural educator who has grown from a classroom teacher to a school leader. As a senior curriculum coordinator and instructional coach at BASIS Washington, D.C., she draws on the tenets that made her classroom consistently successful: high expectations; rigorous, rich curriculum; and a dynamic, engaging environment for everyone to excel.
During her acceptance speech in front of the whole school, she kept it simple.
"I have been lucky enough to teach every single student here right now. So not to make it too cheesy, but I do it for you guys, because I love you all," she said.
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