And the "Oscar of Education" goes to math teacher Lauren Anne Wilson in Prince William County, Virginia.
Milken Family Foundation co-founder Michael Milken surprised Wilson with the prestigious Milken Educator Award and $25,000 during an assembly at C.D. Hylton High School Thursday with her family present. She was honored for her exceptional teaching ability, dedication to students and leadership in her school and community.
Wilson teaches Advanced Placement Calculus BC, Functions/Analytic Geometry and Algebra I at Hylton. Her students have consistently tested with high scores in the Advance Placement exams. Over the years of her teaching, 90 percent or more of her students received qualifying scores of 3 or higher.
“Lauren’s career exemplifies caring, leadership, ad initiative,” Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Steven R. Staples said. “She is a continuous learner and motivator, researching and implementing innovative practices that help students excel while sharing her knowledge, wisdom, and friendship with teachers just entering the field.”
Wilson knew she wanted to be a teacher after tutoring her peers in high school, and she decided to focus on high school math. Wilson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics for the University of Virginia and a Master of Education from the University of Mary Washington. For the first 12 years of her career, she coached varsity soccer, varsity volleyball and junior varsity volleyball.
This is the seventh time that an educator within the school system has won the "Oscar of Education."
The Milken Educator Award was presented to Buckland Mills Elementary School teacher Angie Michelle Wytovich in the 2014-2015 school year.
