Soaring Eagles teacher wins education 'Oscar' and $25K

Tears and cheers were part of an anything-but-routine assembly Tuesday at Soaring Eagles Elementary School in Harrison School District 2.

First-grade teacher Gina Oellig was stunned when she was named a Milken Educator Award recipient. Often called the Oscars of teaching, each award from the Milken Family Foundation comes with a no-strings attached prize of $25,000. This year, 55 will be given nationally and Oellig is the only winner in Colorado.

“Greatness in education should be recognized,” said Jane Foley, Milken Family Foundation senior vice president and award presenter.

Principal Kelli Trausch said Oellig is representative of the talented group of teachers at Soaring Eagles.

“You can’t be a blue-ribbon school without great teachers,” she said. The elementary was named a 2009 National Blue Ribbon School, one of 264 public schools in the nation with the distinction.

Great teachers must be creative and organized, but great relationships with students are critical, Trausch said.

“If you watch her kids — they work for her,” Trausch said.

Oellig has taught at Soaring Eagles since the school opened in 2003.

“The thing I love the most is the growth of the students,” she said. “It is making a difference in their lives.”

Colorado Commissioner of Education Dwight Jones and State Board of Education member Peggy Littleton were among the visitors who honored Oellig.

“I’ve heard a little about what you’re doing and it’s amazing,” Jones said to Oellig after the assembly.

Oellig has a history of bringing struggling students up to grade-level in one school year, Foley said. Other teachers recognize the leadership she exhibits and the skills that she shares, Foley said.

Oellig’s focus in teaching first grade is to set a foundation of reading skills.

She pushes her students in reading, and also teaches other educators how to assess reading and writing skills more effectively, said Jennifer Sprague, Harrison spokeswoman. She takes learning out of the classroom by helping parents and hosting reading nights for those whose first language is not English.

Yet for all her work inside and outside of Soaring Eagles, Oellig said that any success is a collaborative effort of the team.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Jones, who said he has followed the success of the school.

“Their commitment to all kids is such an example for the state,” he said.

Foley has visited seven states in recent weeks delivering the surprise Milken Educator Awards.

The public recognition for work in education is an incentive for the most talented teachers to remain in the profession, Foley said. The foundation also hopes the awards inspire youngsters to at least consider a career in education.

There is no formal nomination and application process. A state panel recommends teachers, principals and specialists most deserving of recognition.

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