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Leah Lawrence Surprised with First-Ever $25,000 Milken Educator Award in the City of St. Charles School District

Hardin Middle School teacher recognized nationally for her captivating instructional techniques and schoolwide leadership

November 17, 2023

Santa Monica, Calif. — Today, seventh grade English language arts teacher Leah Lawrence etched her name into Hardin Middle School history when she became the first Milken Educator Award recipient in the City of St. Charles School District since the Awards' creation in 1987. The dedicated educator, leader and mentor was completely shocked to not only learn of her candidacy for the prestigious national honor, but also of the Award's accompanying $25,000 cash prize that she can use however she chooses.

Bestowed by the Milken Family Foundation, the Award recognizes outstanding K-12 educators nationally for their excellence and leadership in the profession. Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop was joined by Missouri Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven to surprise Lawrence with the honor before cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries and media at what was initially thought to be a routine all-school assembly.

"Leah Lawrence's adaptability in the classroom is unmatched," said Bishop, who is also a 2001 Virginia Milken Educator. "Leah's ever-evolving variety of instructional strategies serves her in providing high-quality, engaging instruction to meet student needs. I am confident that the opportunity to impart her knowledge and learn from other education leaders across the Milken Educator Network will continue to expand her already thriving growth mindset."

Lawrence is one of up to 75 recipients across the country that will be honored in 2023-24 as part of the Milken Family Foundation's Journey to the 3,000^th Milken Educator. Hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching," 2023-24 will reach $75 million in individual financial prizes spanning the length of the initiative and more than $144 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to "Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate" the K-12 profession and inspiring young, capable people to pursue teaching as a career.

"We are thrilled to have the Milken Family Foundation recognize one of Missouri's exceptional teachers with this award," said Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. "The hard work that Leah does every day to use both creativity and data to drive her instruction and help her students succeed is so exciting."

The Milken Educator Award is not a lifetime achievement honor. Recipients are sought out while early to mid-career for what they have achieved – and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities afforded by the Award.

More About Leah Lawrence

Providing exciting ways to explore ELA: Using Play-Doh, students at Hardin Middle School (HMS) navigate their way through the writing process, learning how to shape their creations one step at a time. Seventh grade English language arts (ELA) teacher Leah Lawrence uses this unit as a tangible way to show young writers how to welcome constructive criticism, provide feedback for others' work and think critically about how to improve their next "draft." Lawrence incorporates a number of instructional techniques in her classroom, using student assessment data to drive interventions and lesson differentiation while finding innovative ways to challenge every level of learner. She guides students through setting their own ELA goals and provides them with opportunities to track their progress and advocate for individual growth. Lawrence ignites healthy competition among students through engaging classroom games; one of which encourages them to race to the front of the classroom, using fly swatters to "SWAT" away errors in sentences written on the whiteboard. 

Pursuing excellence as a leader: Serving as a mentor to new teachers, Lawrence ensures that everyone, including herself, continuously strives for excellence. In her role as HMS' ELA department chair, she helps lead team meetings and works with the seventh grade professional learning community team to curate effective curriculum, lessons and assessments for students. Lawrence has presented on a wide range of instructional topics, including at the district's orientation for new teachers, the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, and at Lindenwood University. Additionally, Lawrence is an active member of HMS' climate committee, the district professional development committee, and has participated in countless other initiatives in her years at HMS.

Promoting communication and involvement: Lawrence is praised for the strong relationships she has built with students, families and community members. She is an approachable resource for parents, maintaining an open and frequent line of communication with them throughout the school year. Students enjoy her presence at HMS sports games, events, and a back-to-school bootcamp which she designed and launched. Lawrence even takes the time to write each student an encouraging letter ahead of state testing.

Education: Lawrence is a three-time Lindenwood University Graduate graduate, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English education in 2007, a Master of Arts in education in 2012, and an education specialist degree in school administration in 2016.

More about the Milken Educator Award Journey: "The Future Belongs to the Educated"

• The honorees attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles in June 2024, where they will network with their new colleagues as well as veteran Milken Educators and other education leaders about how to broaden their impact on K-12 education.
• Honorees receive powerful mentorship opportunities for expanded leadership roles that strengthen education practice and policy. Milken Friends Forever (MFF) pairs a new recipient with a veteran Milken Educator mentor; the Expanding MFF Resource and Explorer Program fosters individual veteran Milken Educator partnerships around a specific topic area; and Activating Milken Educators (AME) promotes group collaboration in and across states to tackle pressing educational needs.
• Veteran Milken Educators demonstrate a wide range of leadership roles at state, national and international levels.
• The $25,000 cash Award is unrestricted. Recipients have used the money in diverse ways. Some recipients have spent the funds on their children's or their own continuing education, financing dream field trips, establishing scholarships, and even adopting children. 

Follow the Milken Educator Awards tour and use the #MEA3K and #MilkenAward hashtags on: Facebook (MilkenEducatorAwards) | X (Milken) | YouTube (MilkenAward) | Instagram (MilkenFamilyFdn) | LinkedIn (MilkenFamilyFdn) | TikTok (MilkenAward).

Visit MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4772 for more information.

About the Milken Educator Awards
The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. Created by Lowell Milken, the Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals, and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education. Recipients are heralded in early to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. The Milken Family Foundation celebrates more than 40 years of elevating education in America and around the world. Learn more at MFF.org.

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