Milken Educators: Where Are They Now? (Part 2)

Jane Ching Fung (CA '02)

Then: 

Jane Ching Fung was a teacher at Lafayette Park Primary Center in Los Angeles at the time of her award. An expert in standards-based instruction and a leader in the field of early literacy, Fung is a teacher researcher who’s served on Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn's Education Commission of the States (ECS) Literacy Advisory Council and presented at the ECS National Forum. 

Related: Educator Impact: Jane Ching Fung (CA '02)

Now: 

Fung has remained a classroom teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District. After receiving the Milken Award, Fung became one of the founding teachers at the Dr. Theodore T. Alexander Science Center School in Los Angeles. For the past 11 years, she’s had the privilege of teaching with gifted educators, collaborating with the California Science Center and working with student teachers from University of Southern California. This fall, she became a kindergarten teacher at Belvedere Elementary School, a large Title I school in the heart of East Los Angeles.

In her own words: 

“I have always been lucky to have amazing role models and friends guide me in my career. So when Lowell Milken came to my school that October afternoon, I thought we were honoring one of them, not me! I had already taken on teacher leadership roles before Lowell announced my name, but what came after was more than I could imagine.

“After the award, I felt a stronger sense of responsibility to the profession and my colleagues. I was given a very public platform to highlight the work and lives of teachers. I said ‘yes’ to every invitation that came my way when a teacher’s voice was needed. I wanted to be there to represent and to be heard. It wasn’t easy for a generally shy and self-conscious immigrant like me to leave my comfort zone, but I learned that I needed to be there.  

“I have had the opportunity to sit and collaborate with policymakers, university presidents, school superintendents, business leaders and former governors. I get to network with and learn from colleagues all over the country who share my passion and love for teaching. I have published articles and blogs on my experiences in and out of the classroom. 

“I have gained much more than just an award, I have gained greater confidence in my ability to be an advocate for the profession, educators, families and students.”