DEMING MATH TEACHER HONORED
Melanie Alfaro’s teaching is ‘poetry in motion,’ says Milken Family Foundation
Melanie Alfaro is the only New Mexico recipient of the 2017-18 Milken Educator Award, dubbed the “Oscars of teaching.”
A math teacher at Deming Intermediate School was surprised during a recent school assembly with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award for her work with sixth-grade students.
Melanie Alfaro looked stunned after her name was called as she made her way to the podium where students held a giant cardboard check representing her $25,000 prize.
“I do it because of you guys, because I love children. I love having an impact on every single one of your lives, from the kids I taught ten years ago to those of you who are in the room right now,” Alfaro said during the assembly.
Alfaro is the only recipient in the state of New Mexico of the 44 honorees for the 2017-18 academic year to receive the national award, dubbed the “Oscars of teaching” by Teacher magazine.
“Today’s recognition is one of the highest honors a teacher can earn in the country,” said Education Secretary-Designate Christopher Ruszkowski, who attended the ceremony.
“Melanie is changing our students’ lives by assuming full responsibility for her academic outcomes and constantly refining her craft — her teaching is poetry in motion, and finds the right balance of both the art and science of teaching,” said Ruszkowski in a news release from the foundation.
Every year, the Milken Family Foundation honors early to midcareer teaching professionals across the country for their achievements and the promise they will continue to inspire students to achieve more in the future.
Deming has jumped two letter grades and 16 percentage points in end-of-year math assessments in the past few years.
“Melanie Alfaro gives every student her time, whether it’s one-onone or in a group, it’s her keen sense of a child’s understanding level that determines her teaching methods and that directly leads to proficiency,” said Jane Foley, Milken Awards Senior Vice President in a statement.
Follow this link to a video of the surprise announcement: courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation: http://www.milkeeducatorawards. org/newsroom/videos/view/melanie -alfaro-deming-new-mexico.