BOARD MATTER

October 18, 2004

Mr. Chairman: The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards program provides public recognition and financial rewards to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and other education professionals who are furthering excellence in education. From its original presentation of awards to a dozen California educators, the program has grown to national stature as the largest teacher recognition program in the United States, with participating partners in 47 states and the District of Columbia.

Criteria for selection include exceptional educational talent via instructional practices in the classroom, school, and profession; outstanding accomplishments and long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and an inspiring presence that motivates students, colleagues, and the community. Thus far, the foundation has awarded over $50 million in awards to more than 2,100 educators across the country.
School member Phil Niedzielski-Eichner and I proudly bring to your attention that Deborah Tyler, principal of Pine Spring Elementary School in Providence District, is one of this year's prestigious awardees of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards program.

Deborah Tyler has been principal of Pine Spring Elementary School since 2001. She has been credited with building a strong program designed to improve academic achievement, particularly in language arts and mathematics, and for using collaborative planning to significantly increase Standards of Learning (SOL) test scores.

Deborah Tyler's other accomplishments include: past nominee for the Greater Washington Reading Council's Principal of the Year award; selected to represent Title I schools on the Fairfax County Public School's "No Child Left Behind Act" School Choice Planning Committee; and is currently the Cluster II representative to the Fairfax Association of Elementary School Principals.

Therefore, I move that staff prepare a certificate of recognition for Deborah Tyler for her outstanding service to the Fairfax County Public Schools. Further, I would ask by unanimous consent that at the November 15 Board meeting, Deborah Tyler come before the Board to accept this certificate of recognition.