Milken Family Foundation co-founder Michael Milken, left, speaks with Adams Elementary School students Wednesday during a presentation for the foundation's National Educator Award. The foundation awarded $25,000 to Principal Rebecca Johnson, next to Milken and seen reacting to the news in the photo below. Students in the foreground hold up block numbers representing her prize.
Adams Elementary School Principal Rebecca Johnson hosted an assembly on her campus Wednesday because she thought the superintendent of Clark County schools was going to be awarded $25,000.
But she was surprised to learn it was her name that graced the supersized check presented by the Milken Family Foundation.
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The foundation has been surprising educators for a job well done with a handsome monetary reward since 1987.
"What do you say but thank you," Johnson told a crowd of students, teachers, parents and education officials shortly after she was announced the winner. "I work with the greatest kids in the world. And the greatest teachers in the world. ... I think I'm going to pass out."
Johnson became the 78th Silver State educator to receive the foundation's National Educator Award. Stephanie Steckler science teacher at Lamping Elementary School in Henderson, was presented with a $25,000 check in October. Eleven past winners of the award were present at Wednesday's ceremony.
Johnson, a 17-year veteran in the school system, said she does not know what she will do with her winnings, but a tropical vacation probably looms in her future.
Michael Milken, co-founder of the foundation, said past winners have influenced the lives of thousands of students.
"These people have dedicated their lives to the education of children. And Nevada is so much better for it," he said.
Milken added that Johnson has significantly improved standardized test scores at the school since she became principal in 2002.
According to Johnson's resume provided by the district, fifth-grade students at her Las Vegas school boast math scores 11 points above the district average; in reading they're two points above the district average.
Although her school does boast high standardized test scores, Johnson said, it has failed to meet No Child Left Behind standards for three consecutive years because special education students at her school fell just shy of English standards in that time.
In addition, Johnson faces the new challenges of leading an empowerment school. Adams is one of four elementary schools in the district to have that designation. Johnson and her teachers have more authority to manage the school's budget and curriculum than other elementary schools that yield some decision-making to regional supervisors.
Of the 60 teachers and support staff at the school, 13 are new this year. Teachers at the empowerment schools had to re-apply for their jobs after the 2005-06 school year.
Karen Johnson, whose fourth-grade daughter attends the school, said she has no doubt the school will be successful under the new model. Karen Johnson, who is no relation to Rebecca Johnson, said the school will continue to be successful because of the individual attention the principal provides every student.
"She knows every kid's name in this school. ... She is the best," Karen Johnson said.
In 1990, Michael Milken, an executive director with Drexel Burnham Lambert, pleaded guilty to securities and fraud-related charges. In 1991 his sentence was reduced to two years plus three years of probation.
