Recipient :

APS Teacher Wins National Educator Award; $25,000 (11/20/2009 - 12/20/2009) Madison Mid-School Students Hear First-hand Account for Veterans’ Day (11/13/2009 - 11/17/2009) APS Middle and High School Students Get Science Tools from PNM (11/10/2009 - 11/15/2009) Sierra Vista Elementary Students, Staff Bike and Hike the Bosque (11/09/2009 - 11/15/2009) Rio Grande Redesign Off to a Great Start (11/04/2009 - 11/14/2009) Pepsi Teacher of the Month Has Infectious Laugh (10/30/2009 - 11/06/2009) Public Input Sought at APS School Health Advisory Council Meeting Wednesday, Oct. 28 (10/23/2009 - 10/29/2009) Walmart Donation Pays for Mentorship Program at Ernie Pyle Mid-School (10/22/2009 - 10/31/2009) nex+gen Academy Open House Held Tuesday, Oct. 20 (10/15/2009 - 10/20/2009) "Bust Dukes Out of Jail" Campaign Raises More Than $1,100 for United Way (10/09/2009 - 10/13/2009) Washington Middle School Celebrates Red Ribbon Week with Founder (10/08/2009 - 10/13/2009) Pepsi Honors First APS Teacher of the Month (10/02/2009 - 10/08/2009) APS Advocate for Homeless Students Gets National Award (09/30/2009 - 10/14/2009) Primary School celebrates APS’ Youngest Students (09/25/2009 - 09/28/2009) APS Science Teachers Carried Away by Weightless Flight (09/24/2009 - 09/27/2009) Attorney General Teaches Students about Constitution (09/16/2009 - 09/20/2009) RayLee Homes to Build, Sell House to Benefit APS Kids (09/11/2009 - 09/21/2009) APS Celebrates Late Author at School Opening (09/11/2009 - 09/14/2009) APS Middle School Students, United Way to Let the Dog Out (09/11/2009 - 09/20/2009) APS Education Foundation Kicks Off Horizon Campaign (09/09/2009 - 09/19/2009) APS Honors Author with Namesake Elementary (09/04/2009 - 09/08/2009) APS, City of Albuquerque Work Together to Address Traffic Woes (08/28/2009 - 09/01/2009) APS Reaches Goal! Opens Soccer Complex (08/27/2009 - 08/31/2009) APS Celebrates Completed Construction Projects (08/24/2009 - 11/11/2009) APS Breaks Ground for nex+gen Academy (08/17/2009 - 08/27/2009) S.R. Marmon, Navajo Elementary Schools Celebrate New Construction (08/14/2009 - 08/17/2009) APS Hands Out School Supplies for Families in Need (07/27/2009 - 07/30/2009) APS High Schoolers Discover Creative Side at UNM (06/26/2009 - 07/03/2009) Longtime Principal Briggs Retiring After 33 Years at APS (06/23/2009 - 07/01/2009) Not So Good Year in Gymnastics, Makes for Perfect Attendance (06/12/2009 - 06/17/2009) Mary Ann Binford Celebrates New Wing (05/29/2009 - 06/01/2009) Volcano Vista High School Receives Grand Prize Building Award (05/21/2009 - 05/24/2009) East San Jose Introduces ‘Girls Gone Green’ for Earth (05/21/2009 - 05/24/2009) Bellehaven Blows Lid Off Pop Tab Contest (05/19/2009 - 05/23/2009) Manzano Mesa Students Offer Savings to Clothing Bank (05/15/2009 - 05/19/2009) Rio Grande Students Find Acequia Water Safe for Agriculture (05/15/2009 - 05/20/2009) APS’ Newman Earns National Principal Award (05/12/2009 - 05/17/2009) Two APS Students Named Presidential Scholars (05/12/2009 - 05/15/2009) La Cueva Team Takes First, Manzano Team Second in the 19th Annual Supercomputing Challenge (05/04/2009 - 05/12/2009) 505 Youth Film Festival Continues Through Wednesday (05/04/2009 - 05/07/2009) APS, City Open Pre-Kindergarten Program at La Luz Elementary (05/01/2009 - 05/05/2009) Middle School Student Raises Funds for Officer Training (04/24/2009 - 04/29/2009) APS Middle Schools Place in Alternative Fuels Challenge (04/21/2009 - 04/24/2009) Chelwood Elementary Celebrates New Building (03/20/2009 - 03/24/2009) Brooks Meets Duncan at White House (03/17/2009 - 03/19/2009) Atrisco Heritage Academy Named Top School Design (03/13/2009 - 03/18/2009) Paula Maes Sworn in to Board of Education (03/05/2009 - 03/05/2009) David Peercy Sworn in to Board of Education (03/05/2009 - 03/05/2009) David Robbins Sworn in to Board of Education (03/05/2009 - 03/05/2009) Lorenzo Garcia Sworn in to Board of Education (03/05/2009 - 03/08/2009) 2009 Selfless Seniors Honored (03/04/2009 - 03/24/2009) Wilson Middle School Welcomes Revolutionary Visitors (02/25/2009 - 03/01/2009) Garfield Middle School Principal Makes Miraculous Recovery (02/13/2009 - 02/19/2009) APS Students Witness Presidential History (01/20/2009 - 01/24/2009) Washington Middle School Welcomes Costa Rican Delegation (01/16/2009 - 01/20/2009) Jimmy Carter MS Penny Wars Benefit Roadrunner Food Bank (12/22/2008 - 01/04/2009) Jefferson Middle School Students Take on Jeopardy! Challenge (12/18/2008 - 01/04/2009) Cibola Students Move Into New Spaces (12/16/2008 - 12/21/2008) Alamosa Elementary Breaks Ground on Kindergarten Building (12/12/2008 - 12/16/2008) Good Luck Eagles! (12/05/2008 - 12/06/2008) James Monroe Students Cross Town to Share Antarctica with Whittier (12/03/2008 - 12/08/2008) Roosevelt Middle School Students Learn Thanksgiving Lesson (11/25/2008 - 11/30/2008) Georgia O’Keeffe Third Grader Spearheads Fundraiser for Ethiopian Library (11/20/2008 - 11/25/2008) Eisenhower Middle School Invites Veterans to Celebrate (11/10/2008 - 11/15/2008) East San Jose Elementary Opens New Facilities (11/07/2008 - 11/12/2008) Washington Middle School Celebrates Red Ribbon Week (10/29/2008 - 11/02/2008) Atrisco Heritage Academy Opens its Doors (10/21/2008 - 10/31/2008) Watch D.O.G.S. Keep Watch over Manzano Mesa (10/20/2008 - 10/26/2008) Albuquerque High JROTC Earns Honor Distinction (10/15/2008 - 10/25/2008) Longfellow Elementary Students Greet Mexican Visitors (10/10/2008 - 10/16/2008) Highland Woodworkers Build Toys for Kids (10/09/2008 - 10/15/2008) OfficeMax, Wal-Mart Honor APS Teachers with Supplies (10/03/2008 - 10/08/2008) Real Estate and Business Investor Named to APS Board (09/26/2008 - 10/02/2008) Brooks Presents Energy Rebate Check (09/11/2008 - 09/21/2008) Georgia O (09/09/2008 - 09/23/2008) Superintendent Gets Tour of Operation School Bell (09/03/2008 - 09/15/2008) APS, CNM, UNM Pledge Cooperation for Student Success (08/29/2008 - 09/15/2008) ACT Average for APS Students Higher than State, Nation (08/14/2008 - 08/24/2008) APS/UNM School Supplies Drive Reaches Thousands (08/04/2008 - 08/17/2008) APS High School Students Study Architecture at UNM (06/20/2008 - 06/30/2008) Students, Parents Plant Flowers as APS Breaks Ground for Energy Efficient Family School (06/16/2008 - 06/30/2008) Her Mother Made Her Go, And She Won a Car (06/05/2008 - 06/15/2008) Long-Time Manzano Principal Tim Whalen to Retire (06/04/2008 - 06/16/2008) After-School Program at Washington to Teach Flamenco Dancing (05/21/2008 - 05/30/2008) Sen. Domenici Gives Last Commencement Address at Albuquerque High (05/12/2008 - 05/16/2008) Albuquerque High School Reviving Art Collection (05/09/2008 - 05/23/2008) SYJ Fourth Graders Fold Cranes for Ill Schoolmate (05/01/2008 - 05/14/2008) Middle School Teams Meet Alternative Fuels Challenge (04/29/2008 - 05/06/2008) APS Breaks Model as Work Begins on New Susie Marmon Elementary School (04/18/2008 - 05/01/2008) Next APS Superintendent Helps Celebrate West Mesa HS Award (04/10/2008 - 04/18/2008) Wilson Students Learn Science is Fun (04/08/2008 - 04/22/2008) Wilson Middle School Team Displays Knowledge at Robotics Conference (03/26/2008 - 04/03/2008) Polk Middle School Cheerleaders Flip Over Third National Title (03/19/2008 - 03/31/2008) Cibola High School Students Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness (03/17/2008 - 03/31/2008) Jimmy Carter MS Students Make Habitat Houses Into Homes with Books (03/07/2008 - 03/12/2008) Grant, Wilson Middle School Students Try Apprenticeships (02/26/2008 - 03/05/2008) Cochiti Elementary Parents Asked to Say No to Bullying (01/17/2008 - 01/25/2008) National Character Counts! Executive Visits Albuquerque (01/11/2008 - 01/19/2008) Rio Grande High School Shows Off New Commons (12/21/2007 - 01/03/2008) Taft Middle School Class Hosts Renowned Talents (12/21/2007 - 01/03/2008) Double Eagle Elementary Class Re-creates Colonial Village (12/20/2007 - 01/03/2008) Ventana Ranch Students Help Mexican Kids Through Balloon Pilot Teacher (12/07/2007 - 12/13/2007) Eldorado HS Kicks Off Recycling Campaign with City (12/07/2007 - 12/14/2007) Elementary Students Raise Funds for Classmate with Rare Disease (12/06/2007 - 12/21/2007) Students Bake Biscochitos for Troops in Baghdad (12/06/2007 - 12/12/2007) Bulbs Help Oñate Students Plant Seeds of Creativity (11/30/2007 - 12/04/2007) APS Roosevelt Middle School Students Raise $3,300 for Holiday Baskets (11/19/2007 - 11/25/2007) Washington Middle School Students Explore Spider Webs, Plastic Spoons (11/16/2007 - 11/20/2007) Veterans Visit Emerson Elementary School (11/09/2007 - 11/13/2007) APS James Monroe Middle School Dedicates New Character Counts Pillars (10/24/2007 - 10/24/2007) APS Teacher Named New Mexico Teacher of the Year (10/24/2007 - 10/31/2007) Qwest Provides $50,000 Grant to APS: Teachers Can Apply for Funds to Buy Technology (10/18/2007 - 10/18/2007) Washington Middle Schools Students Spark Spuds in Hands-On Science Project (10/08/2007 - 10/19/2007) Highland Senior Honored By Mayor (09/28/2007 - 10/05/2007) APS Names New Top Fundraiser for Education Foundation (09/28/2007 - 10/05/2007) Bandelier Elementary Blocks Students from Harmful Sun Exposure (09/27/2007 - 10/04/2007) APS Wins on Energy Statewide (09/24/2007 - 09/24/2007) APS Opens Apache Wildlife Museum (09/21/2007 - 09/28/2007) APS Breaks Ground on New Southwest High School (09/13/2007 - 09/20/2007) Milne and Wilson Stadium’s Renovated and Ready for Start of Football Season (08/30/2007 - 09/06/2007) New Principal to Head Cougar Country (08/06/2007 - 08/13/2007) APS to Save Water and Money with Synthetic Turf (07/20/2007 - 07/27/2007) APS Superintendent to Retire (07/09/2007 - 07/31/2007) Del Norte Student Receives Joseph Vigil Memorial Scholarship (06/12/2007 - 06/19/2007) Valley HS Junior Wins Car for Perfect Attendance (06/05/2007 - 06/12/2007) Highland Team Wins Automotive Competition (05/14/2007 - 05/21/2007) Hoover Middle School Students Place Second in State and Top Third in Nation in Knowledge Contest (05/03/2007 - 05/03/2007) Highland Student is National Achievement Scholarship Winner (04/04/2007 - 04/11/2007) Georgia O’Keeffe Students Raise ‘Pennies for Patients’ (03/15/2007 - 03/22/2007) Eldorado HS Student Wins Al Neuharth Free Spirit Award (02/23/2007 - 03/02/2007) Rio Grande Student to Attend Presidential Classroom Program in Washington, D.C. (02/13/2007 - 02/22/2007) APS Shows Maintenance Needs and Discusses Benefits of Mill Levy Election Feb. 6 (02/01/2007 - 02/06/2007) APS Officials Tour Ventana Ranch Elementary and Discuss Importance of Maintaining Schools (01/25/2007 - 02/01/2007) Eugene Field Receives “School on the Rise” Honor (01/19/2007 - 01/26/2007) Bandelier Students Help Read Record-Setting ‘Charlotte’s Web’ (12/13/2006 - 12/27/2006) New Director will Place, Guide APS Student Interns (12/13/2006 - 12/27/2006) McKinley Instructor Named Middle School English Teacher of the Year (11/17/2006 - 11/24/2006) Eisenhower Students Thank Veterans for Service (11/10/2006 - 11/17/2006) Highland Teacher Receives Lifetime Achievement Award for Work in Foreign Languages (11/08/2006 - 11/15/2006) APS Teacher Wins National Educator Award, $25,000 (11/04/2006 - 11/11/2006) Painted Sky Elementary Sending Textbooks to New Orleans With Help From Fed-Ex (10/31/2006 - 11/07/2006) Miss America, MADD Honor APS Schools (10/30/2006 - 11/06/2006) APS Retirees Honored at Annual Dinner (10/27/2006 - 10/27/2006) Alameda Elementary Holds Storybook Day (10/27/2006 - 11/02/2006) Comanche Dedicates New Solar Panel (10/27/2006 - 11/02/2006) Cibola High Student Wins Character Counts Scholarship (10/23/2006 - 10/30/2006) APS and City of Albuquerque Unveil Tile Mosaic Produced by Students (10/23/2006 - 10/30/2006) APS Employees Visit 2006 Health Fair (10/18/2006 - 10/18/2006) Principal Named at Sierra Alternative High School (10/16/2006 - 10/23/2006) Cochiti Elementary Kicks Off Character Counts Week (10/16/2006 - 10/23/2006) Lionsgate “Roars” with $25,000 for Mountain View Elementary (10/13/2006 - 10/20/2006) APS Personnel Talk with Businesses During Balloon Fiesta Breakfasts (10/11/2006 - 10/15/2006) Teachers Receive Grants for Supplies from Xerox (10/10/2006 - 10/16/2006) Del Norte Crowns Homecoming Queen (10/10/2006 - 10/15/2006) Student Wins With Lofty Design (10/09/2006 - 10/16/2006) Valle Vista Elementary Celebrates Walk to School Day (10/04/2006 - 10/11/2006) Tony the Tiger Balloon Team Visits APS Students (10/04/2006 - 10/11/2006) Eldorado Students Learn About Alternative Energy (10/03/2006 - 10/10/2006) La Cueva Teacher Honored (10/02/2006 - 10/09/2006) Albuquerque Comes Through With School Supplies (09/08/2006 - 09/15/2006) APS Family School to Expand to West Side When G.O. Bond Passes (09/07/2006 - 09/12/2006) Elected Officials Support Bond, Tour Future Elementary School (08/31/2006 - 09/3/2006) Early Voting Underway for APS Special Capital Election (08/30/2006 - 09/06/2006) APS, Union, UNM Officials Discuss Importance of Quality Facilities for Student Learning (08/24/2006 - 08/31/2006) Albuquerque Public Schools asks Voters to Head to Polls Sept. 19 (08/22/2006 - 08/29/2006) APS Summer School Holds Graduation (07/21/2006 - 07/26/2006) Bel Air Principal Receives Excellence in Education Award (06/26/2006 - 07/02/2006) NM Education Secretary Veronica Garcia Visits Washington, Bandelier (06/21/2006 - 06/25/2006) State Says APS is Healthiest Worksite (05/19/2006 - 05/24/2006) CEC Students Win State Auto Skills Competition (05/16/2006 - 05/21/2006) Albuquerque High Senior Named 2006 Presidential Scholar (05/12/2006 - 05/16/2006) Two APS Students Compete at Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (05/11/2006 - 05/14/2006) APS, UNM, ENLACE, Bar Association Announce Taft Pre-Law Partnership Program (05/11/2006 - 05/15/2006) Sandia H.S. Senior Honored for Reading Program (05/09/2006 - 05/11/2006) APS Teacher Named Troops to Teachers Teacher of the Year for New Mexico (05/05/2006 - 05/09/2006) World Famous Japanese Math Expert Teaches Class at Madison (05/04/2006 - 05/08/2006) Eldorado Teacher Receives 2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (05/02/2006 - 05/07/2006) Kennedy Students Plant Trees for National Arbor Day (04/28/2006 - 05/02/2006) Eldorado Dedicates Science Building (04/28/2006 - 05/02/2006) Sparx-Lorenzo Antonio Scholarships Awarded (04/27/2006 - 05/01/2006) Oñate Students Participate in Child Abuse Prevention Activities and Roundtable Discussion (04/27/2006 - 05/01/2006) Arroyo del Oso Home to New Mexico’s Elementary Library of the Year (04/27/2006 - 05/01/2006) APS Teacher is First New Mexican Inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame (04/24/2006 - 04/24/2006) Longfellow Elementary Rolls Out Red Carpet for Spanish Royals (04/21/2006 - 04/28/2006) O'Keeffe Students Raise Pennies for Patients (04/19/2006 - 04/23/2006) APS, U.S. Attorney, District Attorney Honors Students Involved in Gun Violence Prevention Program (04/17/2006 - 04/20/2006) APS Honors Student Mediators at Rally (04/13/2006 - 04/18/2006) Students Participate in ‘Words and Images’ Exhibit (04/11/2006 - 04/16/2006) APS, CYFD, Children’s Court Kick Off Child Abuse Prevention Month (04/05/2006 - 04/11/2006) First Lady Laura Bush Visits Bel Air Elementary (04/03/2006 - 04/09/2006) Students Break Ground for Solar Panels (03/23/2006 - 03/31/2006) Student, School and Community Service Center Moves Uptown (03/21/2006 - 03/26/2006) McKinley Students Experience Hip Hop Science Education Program (03/13/2006 - 03/20/2006) Three APS Teachers Win Golden Apple Award (03/08/2006 - 03/12/2006) Mountain View Students Perform Testing Play (02/24/2006 - 02/24/2006) Students, APS Foundation Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina (02/24/2006 - 03/02/2006) Governor, Secretary of Education Celebrate "Take Your Parents to Breakfast Day" (02/23/2006 - 02/28/2006) APS Honors Counselor of the Year (02/10/2006 - 02/21/2006) APS, Elected Officials, Community Members Urge Citizens to Vote Feb. 7 (02/02/2006 - 02/07/2006) Governor Signs New Healthy Food Rules at Cleveland (01/27/2006 - 02/01/2006) Cleveland Students Move Clean Energy (01/27/2006 - 02/01/2006) Early Voting Site Open At APS Uptown (01/25/2006 - 02/02/2006) E. G. Ross Elementary Honors Namesake (01/19/2006 - 01/26/2006) APS, Governor Accept Land for Northwest High School (01/09/2006 - 01/16/2006) Five APS Students Win Essay Awards (12/20/2005 - 12/27/2005) APS Kicks Off GO Bond Campaign (12/12/2005 - 12/19/2005) Governor Pledges $115 million to Build Two APS West Side High Schools (12/07/2005 - 12/15/2005) APS Food and Nutrition Menu Winner (12/09/2005 - 12/13/2005) Tomasita Students Help Senior Citizens Shop For The Holidays (12/06/2005 - 12/11/2005) APS Employee Wins National Award (11/09/2005 - 11/14/2005) Duranes Elementary Teacher Wins National Award (10/25/2005 - 10/31/2005) A Real Treat For Sierra Vista Elementary School Students (10/17/2005 - 10/24/2005) It's Official! APS Renames City Centre (10/12/2005 - 10/19/2005) Albuquerque Aloft Artist Honored (10/07/2005 - 10/14/2005) Comcast Volunteers Spruce Up APS Schools (10/03/2005 - 10/10/2005) Alvarado Elementary Kicks Off School Supply Drive (09/19/2005 - 09/26/2005) New Solar Panels Unveiled at Three APS Schools (09/08/2005 - 09/19/2005) Five APS Teachers Win Science Grants (05/13/2005 - 05/20/2005) U.S. Senator Pete Domenici Honors Ernie Pyle Students (05/11/2005 - 05/15/2005) 30 Students Honored for “Senior Citizen” Essays (05/05/2005 - 05/10/2005) APS Student’s Art Featured On Balloon Fiesta Pin (04/28/2005 - 05/06/2005) Character Counts Students, Staff of the Month for April (04/07/2005 - 04/15/2005) Character Counts Student of the Month for March (03/23/2005 - 03/30/2005) Anita Vigil Named Character Counts Staff of the Month (03/14/2005 - 03/21/2005) World War II Vets Get Chance to Walk AHS Graduation Line (03/04/2005 - 03/11/2005) Board of Education Members Sworn In (03/03/2005 - 03/10/2005) Superintendent Congratulates Winners of "Senior Citizen I Know" Contest (05/07/2004 - 05/12/2004) Albuquerque High Dedicates New Wing (05/07/2004 - 05/15/2004) Jaramillo Promoted to Principal at Lavaland Elementary (04/29/2004 - 05/08/2004) Highland 'We the People' Student Team Qualifies for Nationals Seeks Trip Funds (04/07/2004 - 04/30/2004) April Character Counts Student of the Month (04/01/2004 - 04/30/2004) April Character Counts Teacher of the Month (04/01/2004 - 04/30/2004) March Character Counts Teacher of the Month (03/01/2004 - 03/31/2004) March Character Counts Students of the Month (03/01/2004 - 03/31/2004) February Character Counts Student of the Month (02/03/2004 - 02/29/2004) February Character Counts Teacher of the Month (02/03/2004 - 02/29/2004) APS Students Support Local Shelters (02/02/2004 - 02/17/2004) Student-built podiums go like hot cakes (01/14/2004 - 01/30/2004) January Character Counts Student of the Month (01/07/2004 - 01/30/2004) January Character Counts Teacher of the Month (01/07/2004 - 01/30/2004) APS Mountain View Elementary to Honor 40-year Classroom Veteran Teacher (12/19/2003 - 01/06/2004) December Character Counts Student of the Month (12/01/2003 - 12/19/2003) December Character Counts staff winner (12/01/2003 - 12/19/2003) 'Dem Bones' Teaches Art, Anatomy at Gov. Bent Elementary (10/30/2003 - 11/06/2003) West Mesa Grad, South Valley Teacher Honored with $25,000 Milken Award (10/30/2003 - 11/06/2003) New APS Elementary Expected to Cut Energy Bills in Half (10/28/2003 - 11/10/2003) October Character Counts Student of the Month (10/01/2003 - 10/29/2003) APS Honors "Fab 5" Students Who Earned Perfect Scores on TerraNova Test (09/30/2003 - 10/06/2003) United Way Need is Great (10/01/2003 - 11/21/2003) Zia Student Wins Southwest Airlines Art Contest (09/25/2003 - 09/30/2003) APS’s Reginald Chavez Elementary Named Blue Ribbon School (09/15/2003 - 09/26/2003) Albuquerque Public Schools Plans Memorial Service for Joseph Vigil (09/11/2003 - 09/13/2003) September Character Counts! student (09/15/2003 - 09/30/2003) Comanche Counselor Makes Prime Time (09/08/2003 - 09/12/2003) I AM APS Campaign (08/15/2003 - 09/15/2003) The SPARX and Lorenzo Antonio benefit concert is Sept. 28. (08/15/2003 - 09/28/2003) An essay on Mrs. Nick (06/01/2003 - 07/07/2003) 2003 Golden Apple Award (04/15/2003 - 07/31/2003)

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APS Teacher Wins National Educator Award; $25,000
2009/11/20

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Tamara Dunham, a teacher at Albuquerque Public Schools Van Buren Mid-School, has received the 2009 Milken Educator Award. The award, which carries a $25,000 cash prize, was presented to Dunham during a surprise assembly at the school on Nov. 17. “Tamara Dunham is a wonderful educator and we are extremely proud of her,” said APS Superintendent Winston Brooks. “She is doing exemplary work here at Van Buren and the sixth graders are directly benefitting from her expertise.” Dunham has been a teacher in APS since 2000 and started at Van Buren as an educational assistant in 1999. She teaches English and science classes at Van Buren and is the coordinator of the school’s positive behavior support program, which encourages students to be respectful and cooperative with other students and staff so that the school environment is more conducive to learning. NM Public Education Sec. Veronica Garcia, who introduced Dunham, praised her as a model educator. “Ms. Dunham demonstrates her dedication to teaching by finding ways to improve achievement levels of her students,” Garcia said. “By implementing a new approach to teach math, sponsoring MESA students, and encouraging excellence in language arts, she is a model for all teachers.” In accepting the award, Dunham said she was very surprised. “I’m afraid to speak because I might cry more,” Dunham said, adding that she wanted to thank her mother and her principal. “Without them, I couldn’t do the things that apparently I’ve been doing,” Dunham said. Dunham’s mother Kathleen Delmargo also teaches at Van Buren. “We teach on the same team and so we have shared the same students for the past four years,” added a very proud Delmargo. Dr. Tom Boysen, a Milken Family Foundation trustee, represented the foundation and presented the check to Dunham. The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards alternate each year between elementary and secondary educators. Since first presented in1987 to 12 exemplary California teachers, the Milken Educator Awards program is now the nation’s largest teacher recognition program having honored more than 2,400 educators from coast to coast with over $60 million. In addition to their cash prizes, the recipients will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the Milken Educator Forum, a national gathering of award-winning educators to address innovative strategies for advancing teacher effectiveness. A highlight of the Forum will be the presentation of the $25,000 Milken Educator Awards at a recognition dinner and ceremony. They will also join the Milken Educator Network, a group of distinguished educators whose expertise serves as a valuable resource to fellow educators, legislators, school boards and others shaping the future of education. Photo: Tamara Dunham, right, a sixth-grade teacher at Van Buren Middle School, celebrates with her mother and co-worker, Kathleen Delmargo, after Dunham received the 2009 Milken Educator Award.

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