Rutherford County Educator Receives $25,000 Surprise

NASHVILLE – Stewarts Creek Elementary School fifth grade teacher Trey Duke today received a $25,000 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award, an honor given to select outstanding educators each year.

Education Commissioner Timothy Webb presented the award during a surprise ceremony at the Rutherford County school this morning. The event was part of the Milken Family Foundation’s 2008 National Notifications tour recognizing this year’s aware winners.

“Teachers are what provide the strong foundation for students during the school day and throughout their lives,” Commissioner Webb said. “It is important that we recognize these individuals who give of themselves every day to better prepare our children to face the challenges of the 21st century.”

Mr. Duke has been a classroom teacher for five years and colleagues cite his “can do” attitude as evidence of his exceptional quality not only as a teacher, but also as a mentor to his peers. Just this year, Duke had an autistic student in his class who was unable to eat lunch in the cafeteria or attend music class. Administrators say it was due to Duke’s consistent routine and nurturing nature that led the student to achieve both of those goals in a short period of time.

The Milken National Educator Award was created to focus attention on the need for excellent educators and encourage qualified individuals to enter the profession. Recipients have demonstrated positive results in the classroom, educational accomplishments outside the classroom, a potential for leadership and the ability to motivate students, colleagues and the community. For more information, visit www.mff.org.

Mr. Duke and other award recipients from across the country will be recognized at the Milken National Educational Conference in spring 2009.

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us. 
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