Knoxville Educator Receives $25,000 Surprise
Nashville, TN – Fulton High School Assistant Principal Jonathan Rysewyk today received a $25,000 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award, an honor given to select outstanding educators each year. Education Commissioner Lana Seivers and Accountability Director Connie Smith presented the award at a surprise ceremony at the Knoxville school Thursday morning. The event was part of the Milken Family Foundation’s 21st National Notifications Tour recognizing the 2007 Milken Educator Award recipients.
“Excellent educational leaders provide strong instructional support for teachers and create a dynamic and inviting learning environment for students,” Commissioner Seivers said. “They are in a unique position to set a tone of success for their school. I commend Mr. Rysewyk on demonstrating these qualities and representing the education profession with integrity and dedication.”
Jonathan Rysewyk has been an educator in Tennessee schools since 1999 and assistant principal of Fulton High School since 2004. Colleagues cite his gift for sparking an interest in learning in struggling students, and credit him with increasing the school’s graduation rate and continually seeking innovative ways to help students. He was named Karns High School Teacher of the Year in 2004 and has been included in Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers since 2003. Outside of school, Mr. Rysewyk volunteers with young people from distressed neighborhoods. Mr. Rysewyk is currently completing a dissertation for a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy analysis.
The Milken National Educator Award was created to focus attention on the need for excellent educators and encourage qualified individuals to enter the 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.
Mr. Rysewyk and other Milken Award recipients from across the country will be recognized at the Milken National Education Conference in Los Angeles in the spring of 2008. More than 80 educators will be honored through this program in 2007.
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 2,300 educators have received this award to date.
For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.