Milken Educators: Where Are They Now? (Part 1)
August 4, 2015Dr. Natasha Cooke-Nieves (NY '10)
Then:
Between 10 years of classroom teaching in Brooklyn and becoming the Science/Math Instructional Specialist for the Children First Network—a New York City public school initiative that provides operational and instructional support for schools—Dr. Natasha Cooke-Nieves was honored with the Milken Educator Award in 2010.
Her rigorous, hands-on lesson plans have engaged and excited students, while she also empowered instructors and administrators with tools to accelerate student achievement.
Now:
Dr. Natasha Cooke-Nieves has taken her talents in education to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City where she serves as Senior Specialist in Science and Teacher Education.
In her own words:
“After winning the Milken Educator Award, I was not only offered my current position but it opened my eyes to how I can better serve the teaching profession, starting from the ground up. Through the help of a Race to the Top grant the American Museum of Natural History was awarded, the Master's of Art in Teaching program began. I realized I could serve as an effective leader in pre-service teacher education as a professor and as a clinical supervisor to earth science teacher candidates.
“It was very reassuring to feel the love you receive upon being honored with the Milken Educator Award. You finally feel valued as a teacher and compelled to spread the love and encourage others to join the profession. I am able to do that as a faculty member during a groundbreaking time within informal and formal education—a teacher college housed in a museum.”
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