Oct 14, 2008 1:16 pm US/Central
2 Twin Cities Teachers Get $25,000 Awards
(WCCO)
Two Twin Cities teachers were surprised this morning and it was way better than an apple from an adoring student.
Kelly Woods and Tracey Cross both received a check for $25,000.
The money was an award from the Milken Foundation which gives out the prize to about 80 educators nationwide.
Woods is a third grade teacher at Nellie Stone Johnson School in North Minneapolis. She is also a mentor for other teachers.
The foundation gives awards to recognize "the exceptional work of educators as models for the state and the nation."
Lowell Milken, the Foundation Chairman presented her with the award.
Woods came to Nellie Stone Johnson School two years ago as part of a new team hired to raise achievement scores.
She's been teaching for 10 years.
She received the award in front of her students at an assembly.
In St. Paul, Cross, a 5th grade science teacher won the award.
Cross works at Galtier Science, Mathematics and Technology Magnet Elementary School.
Cross is known through out her district as a teacher who gives cutting edge instruction. She has also helped to raise test scores by double digits.
The Milken foundation likes to honor teachers in the early or middle parts of their careers for what they have achieved and the potential they have in the coming years.
Both of the teachers honored today will be on the WCCO morning show at 5:45 Wednesday to talk about how they got into teaching and how they keep students motivated.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
