Department of Education
Dr. Tim Webb, Commissioner
For Immediate Release
October 12, 2006
( Nashville , TN )- A.B. Hill Elementary School teacher Renee Borden today received a $25,000 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award, an honor given to select outstanding teachers nationwide each year. Foundation Chairman Lowell Milken and former NFL player Rosey Grier joined Education Commissioner Lana Seivers in presenting the award at a surprise ceremony at the Memphis school Wednesday afternoon. Ms. Borden and other Milken Award recipients from across the country will be recognized at the Milken National Education Conference in Los Angeles in April 2007.
"I welcome every opportunity to recognize the dedication and expertise of teachers," Seivers said. "Through their work with students, teachers impact the quality of life for individuals, each of our communities, and the entire state. I am so grateful to the Milken Family Foundation for honoring one of Tennessee 's outstanding educators. Their commitment to teacher recognition elevates the education profession to the level it so richly deserves."
The Milken National Educator Award was created to focus attention on the need for excellent teachers and encourage qualified individuals to pursue teaching as a 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. The program typically recognizes up to 100 educators each year.
Rhonda Borden is a Nationally Board Certified elementary education teacher with 18 years of classroom experience. Her students consistently demonstrate significant academic growth, particularly in reading and mathematics. Ms. Borden has completed graduate coursework in reading instruction to become a 'Literacy Laureate'. Beyond the classroom, she mentors other teachers in the Memphis City School System and helps educate parents about the development of early literacy. She has taught first and third grades, and currently teaches kindergarten.
The Milken Family Foundation was established in 1982 in Santa Monica , California . The foundation's primary mission is in education and medical research. The Milken National Educator Award program began in 1987. More than 2,200 educators have received this award to date.
For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@tn.gov.
