Rutherford County Teacher Receives $25,000 Surprise

NASHVILLE – Siegel High School AP Honors English teacher Matthew Marlatt 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 school this morning, part of the Milken Family Foundation’s 2009 National Notifications tour recognizing this year’s award winners.

“Teachers are the cornerstone of our school systems,” Commissioner Webb said. “I’m honored to be able to recognize such hard work and dedication. Mr. Marlatt is an example of the kind of teachers we have across this state.”

Mr. Marlatt has been teaching since 1996 and is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English. His peers say he constantly strives to improve himself and his students. During his lunch time, he often reads to elementary school students or his daughter’s class.

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. Marlatt and other award recipients from across the country will be recognized at the Milken National Education Conference in spring 2010.

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