Milken Educators: Where Are They Now? (Part 1)

Shannon Garrison (CA '08)

Then:

Shannon Garrison was a fourth-grade teacher at Solano Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles, California, at the time of her Milken Award in 2008. In a classroom that combined English Language Learners (ELLs) with students on Individual Education Plans (IEPs), she provided differentiated and scaffolded instruction to accommodate needs at multiple levels. Two years after her award, Shannon was invited to become a Lowell Milken Center Fellow in recognition of her passion to provide all students with a highly rigorous and engaging educational experience. Her students’project on Unsung Hero Ralph Lazo is featured at the Center and online.

Now:

Shannon is entering her 19th year as a classroom instructor and teaches fourth and fifth grades at Solano Avenue Elementary in downtown Los Angeles. She is currently serving her second four-year term on the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), which has played an important role in evaluating the progress and state of education in the United States for more than three decades. 

After spending several summers working with Lowell Milken Center Fellows, Shannon was selected to serve as Fellowship Coordinator for the Center.

In her own words: 

“Receiving the Milken Educator Award changed my life! In 2008, I was doing everything I could to make my classroom and school the best they could be for the students I served.  I was completely dedicated to providing the best possible educational program for these kids, but I never really considered the possibility of having an impact on the education system beyond the walls of my school.  

“I vividly remember Lowell Milken at my notification telling me that he expected great things from me.  I recall him saying that this award was being given for what I was going to do to make a positive difference in education. I took that to heart! I will remember that day forever because I suddenly had an entire ‘family’ who believed that I had the ability to make a difference. That is extremely powerful. Since that day, I have tried my best to reach beyond the walls of my classroom to make a positive impact on education for all children, while still providing my students with an amazing educational experience. 

“In 2010, the Milken Family Foundation submitted my name as a nominee for the 4th grade teacher position on the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB).  The National Assessment Governing Board is an independent, bipartisan board that sets policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), commonly known as The Nation's Report Card. The assessment makes objective information on student performance available to policymakers and the public at national, state and local levels. It has served an important role in evaluating the condition and progress of American education for more than three decades.  After a year-long selection process, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan appointed me to the Board.  It has been one of the greatest experiences of my career.  I work alongside a diverse group of people including, governors, legislators, curriculum specialists, school board members, parents, business people and other educators.  I have learned a great deal about assessment and expanded my knowledge of educational policy.  I am currently in my second four-year term, and I am chair of the Assessment Development Committee and serve on the Executive Committee as well.

“I have also been very involved with the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.  I was awarded a Fellowship in 2010, and it had a huge impact on my teaching.  My students and I did a project on Ralph Lazo, which was life changing (read about the project).  The research, the trip to Manzanar and meeting Mr. Kikuchi are things none of us will ever forget.  The past several years, I have spent several weeks each summer as the Summer Fellowship Coordinator.  I work alongside the amazing staff at the Center and assist them in training teachers on project-based learning.  It’s been an awesome experience.  I have the opportunity to work with talented educators from across the globe while further developing my own knowledge of project-based learning and unsung heroes in history.”