Midvale Elementary’s Kristen Maurer wins nationwide training award

MIDVALE — Kindergarten trainer Kristen Maurer got the surprise of her lifestyle on Thursday.
She and her college students at Midvale Elementary University were invited to participate in a college assembly in the gymnasium. What she failed to know was that the assembly was in her honor.
More:Twin City Chamber of Commerce gives awards for 2019, 2020
Prior to the full college and neighborhood dignitaries, Maurer received the Milken Educator Award, the only teacher in the state of Ohio to be offered the prestigious honor this 12 months. The award is deemed the “Oscars of Teaching” and goes to educators who make a profound distinction for college students, colleagues and communities.
She was presented the award by Greg Gallagher, Milken Educator Awards senior system director, and Stephanie Siddens, interim Ohio state superintendent of public instruction.
“I am totally stunned, entirely stunned,” she reported following the ceremony. “It still has not strike me nonetheless that I gained a prestigious award. Oh my goodness. Extremely blessed and shocked.”
The award comes with a $25,000 money prize that can be used any way Maurer needs. In addition, she will receive an all-price compensated trip to Los Angeles to join previous recipients of the award to make improvements to instruction throughout the state.
The Milken Educator Awards has no official nomination or software course of action. Candidates are sourced as a result of a confidential selection course of action and then reviewed by blue ribbon panels in each condition. The most fantastic candidates are advisable for the award, with the remaining selection created by the Milken Family Basis, which presents the awards.
In accordance to the foundation, Maurer’s classroom has develop into identified as a place the place students of all talents, no matter of physical, cognitive or psychological vulnerabilities, can thrive.
She has produced an right after-university tutoring program, “Setting up Far better Braves,” to near achievement gaps by featuring added assistance to students. A lot more than 3-quarters of her pupils meet envisioned stages on Measures of Tutorial Progress (MAP) assessments and many stop the year undertaking a person or much more grades ahead.
All of her former learners have gone on to go Ohio’s 3rd Grade Studying Warranty.
She balances science-backed literacy instruction with character creating to get ready pupils for achievements in faculty and everyday living.
In addition, she works on PTO committees to coordinate holiday break routines, fundraisers and community outreach.
Maurer, who is likely on her eighth yr of educating, comes from a household of educators. Her father is a retired instructor and her mom teaches preschool. Her partner, Matt, is principal of York Elementary in the New Philadelphia City University District. She gained her bachelor’s diploma in early childhood education and learning in 2014 from Ashland College.
Additional:He’s Matt Maurer and he’s September’s Awesome Instructor
She likes to be associated in the lives of her students.
“I often notify mother and father, continue to keep me concerned,” she claimed. “I go to their dance recitals, I’ll go to their T-ball games, their softball online games, I will watch plays if they do any plays. I just generally check out to explain to dad and mom, maintain me included and I am going to go and watch them and support them. I am constantly screaming in the qualifications, cheering them on.”
Indian Valley Superintendent Ira Wentworth said he experienced regarded since late final yr that Maurer was likely to obtain the award.
“I assumed Greg Gallagher of the Millken Foundation did a fabulous position the way he rolled that out and to know that Mrs. Maurer had no clue and to sit here and type of keep a person eye on her facial expressions was touching. That is an encounter of a life time,” he reported.
Requested what the award means for the school district, Wentworth reported, “I assume it truly is representative of all the instructors we have. As Mr. Gallagher talked about, they find the teacher, the instructor would not come across them.
“Each individual 12 months we pick out one of our teachers to nominate for the Ohio State Trainer of the Calendar year award. Often we’ve won the district. We’ve had 1 instructor at Port Washington come to be a state finalist for the Ohio Teacher of the Calendar year.”
Siddens said she was thrilled to congratulate Maurer on her accomplishment.
“Couple life techniques are as significant as studying, and Mrs. Maurer is a shining case in point of so many Ohio teachers who assure their college students have all the elements needed to come to be lifelong readers,” Siddens said.
“The enthusiasm, determination and compassion she brings to college day-to-day are apparent in every little thing she does. She is transforming lives just about every working day and I could be happier to join in honoring her today.”