San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.comLocal teacher wins $25,000 award

Local teacher wins $25,000 award

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (CNS) - An English teacher at San Diego High School was the surprise recipient today of the $25,000 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

Jaime Enochs was presented with the award at a school assembly by Lowell Milken, chairman of the Milken Family Foundation, and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell.

"I am extremely honored and humbled," Enochs said. "And, what Mr. Milken was saying about how teachers can really make a difference, I am also really excited that I get to teach at a school where some of the people who really influenced me as a student at San Diego High are now my colleagues."

She is chair of the English Department at San Diego High School's School of International Studies.

Enochs was recognized for developing innovative ways to help her students pass the California International Baccalaureate English language exam, according to the Milken Family Foundation.

Almost all of the seniors taught by Enoch have gone on to pass the test, according to the Milken Family Foundation. The worldwide average for passing the test is 60 percent.

Additionally, almost all of her ninth-grade students passed the California High School Exit Examination and scored well above the state averages, according to the Milken Family Foundation.

"Highly effective educators are the human capital that will equip America's youth in this increasingly competitive global economy," Milken said. "By shining a national spotlight on exceptional people like Jaime Enochs, the Milken Educator Awards send a powerful message of the critical role that talented teachers play in preparing young people for a bright future."

The Milken Educator Award recognizes outstanding educators and is intended to encourage talented young people to enter the teaching profession, according to the foundation.

Each year teachers, principals and specialists are recommended for the award without their knowledge by a blue-ribbon panel appointed by each state's department of education. There is no formal nomination or application process.

This year, 54 educators are being honored with the Milken Educator Award, according to officials. In addition to the $25,000 prize, recipients will also get a trip to Los Angeles to attend the Milken Educator Forum.

Since it was established in 1987, more than 2,400 educators around the country have been honored with the Milken Educator Award, according to the foundation.