Becky Adrian Receives Milken Award
On June 29, at Los Angeles' Century Plaza Hotel, Becky Adrian of Ceres, CA was presented with an unrestricted $25,000 prize as part of the largest teacher recognition program in the country, the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards. A testament to the power of education to dramatically alter the human condition, she has made significant contributions to her students and community at-large.
A two-time U.S. ballroom dance champion, Becky Adrian was approached 16 years ago to develop a dance program at Mae Hensley Junior High School in Ceres, virtually from scratch. Since then, the classes have become among the most popular at the school, attracting equal numbers of girls and boys. Adrian's program - which also includes several special education and hearing-impaired students - has been particularly effective in quelling disciplinary problems among the school's large at-risk student population by developing their self-confidence, teaching them how to interact in social situations, and exposing them to the mental and physical challenges of public performance - all while providing them with an outlet for creativity. She has even created cross-disciplinary units in dance literacy and social skills. Becky is the first-ever dance teacher to be recognized with this Award.
Created to honor and reward outstanding talent in our nation's K-12 schools, the Milken National Educator Awards presented $3 million in unrestricted $25,000 Awards to 120 gifted educators at a black-tie affair often referred to as the "Oscars of Teaching." This unique evening turns the tables on some of the real superstars of America as they "walk the red carpet" and are showcased in true Hollywood fashion.
For more information about the Awards and past recipients, please visit www.mff.org/mea. •