SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today congratulated the selection of two exceptional California educators to receive the 2003 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards.

Keith R. Ballard, music teacher at Montgomery Middle School, Sweetwater Union High School District in San Diego; and Kathleen Vasquez, English teacher at Phillip and Sala Burton Academic High School, San Francisco Unified School District in San Francisco, are California's winners of this distinguished recognition. (Information on the winners is attached.)

"Mr. Ballard's and Ms. Vasquez's enthusiasm and dedication exemplify what is right about education in California," said O'Connell. "I'm proud of their hard work to keep their students engaged and excited about learning."

Both teachers were surprised today at school assemblies in San Diego and San Francisco where it was announced that they had been selected for the prestigious honor that comes with a monetary award of $25,000 each. The recipients may use the money as they wish.

• The Milken National Educator Awards are given to teachers and principals relatively new to education. In the case of California's recipients, they each have been in education approximately 10 years. Nationwide, teachers, and principals in 47 states will receive the Milken honor this month. All were selected based on the following criteria: Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by outstanding instructional practices in the classroom, school, and profession;
• Outstanding accomplishments and strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
• Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues, and the community.

Experts agree that the need to attract more qualified teachers is urgent because the demographics and incentives of the 21st century may make it difficult for many individuals to choose education as a career. Currently, California employs 302,000 teachers. Over the next 10 years, schools nationwide will need to hire 2.2 million new teachers, but are expected to come up short by about 40 percent. In California as many as 300,000 additional teachers will be needed in the next decade.

"The most important legacy we can hand down to our children is a good education that will lead to opportunities and a better life for them in the future," said O'Connell. "So we must ensure that our students have the best teachers to help shape their minds. Programs like the Milken National Educator Awards are instrumental in helping raise the consciousness about the importance of quality education in our society."

In addition to the $25,000, each of the two educators will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. in May for the annual Milken Family Foundation National Education Conference. For more information, please contact the Milken Family Foundation's Web site at http://www.mff.org (Outside Source).

# # # #

Attachment

Keith R. Ballard teaches music at Montgomery Middle School in Sweetwater Union High School District in San Diego County . He holds a bachelor of art's degree from Arizona State University in Communications and Music Education. Mr. Ballard has initiated a Mariachi Music Program, an African Drum Ensemble, and an Island Steel Drum Band as he builds a bridge to the community with a 75 percent Latino population. Known as a no-nonsense teacher, he also is recognized for bringing out the best in his students -- many of whom had never picked up an instrument before joining his class. The students have performed on national television and for basketball legend Magic Johnson, former President Bill Clinton, President George Bush, Governor Gray Davis, and Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger. Performances brought standing ovations. Such positive reinforcement has brought with it an improvement in student attendance and a feeling of deep pride among his young musicians and their parents. Mr. Ballard is an active fundraiser and has succeeded in securing thousands of dollars in donated equipment. He has received numerous local and state awards.

Kathleen Vasquez teaches English at Philip and Sala Burton Academic High School at San Francisco Unified School District in San Francisco . In a school where more than 20 languages are spoken, Ms. Vasquez serves as department head for the English Department and the English Learner Program. Under her leadership, the school implemented double English classes for students in the ninth and tenth grades. She encourages students by telling them that there is always hope and that nothing will be accomplished if they give up. In 2001-02, the school's Academic Performance Index grew by 69 points, going from 570 to 639. Ms. Vasquez selects and organizes high-interest subject matter. She models the teaching objective for students and then allows them to participate. In a ninth grade reading class where many students have low reading scores, she models a think-aloud reading strategy. She selects a part of the text and reads it aloud, stops, and discusses what went on in her head. Then students practice the technique, after which they share their questions with the whole class. They analyze the questions and divide them into categories.