Harrisburg, Jan. 14, 2014 – This morning state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said an outstanding Westmoreland County teacher was named the winner of Pennsylvania’s 2013 Milken Educator Award. Along with the incredible honor, the award comes with a $25,000 cash prize.
Meghan Nese, a teacher at Burrell High School in Burrell School District, was presented the award by Acting Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq during a surprise assembly at Burrell High School today.
“Being a teacher is often a thankless job,” Brewster said. “That’s why it’s so wonderful when opportunities like this come up, and we’re able to recognize the incredible work done by teachers like Meghan.”
Nese has been an educator for 16 years, and she is currently chairperson of the high school English Department. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from Allegheny College and a master’s degree in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
“Meghan is the 52nd educator in Pennsylvania to receive this honor from the Milken Family Foundation,” said Brewster. “She was selected for her outstanding work ethic and for her ability to help students grow out of their comfort zones.”
The Milken Educator Award honors K-12 educators across the country, and since 1987, the Milken Family Foundation has awarded more than $64 million to nearly 2,600 educators throughout the United States. Teachers are selected in part by a recommendation from an independent committee in the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the award goes to teachers who motivate and engage students and act as a model for the education profession.
For more information about the Milken Educator Award, visit www.milkeneducatorawards.org.
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