Portland Public Schools -- News - Roosevelt teacher wins prestigious award

Roosevelt teacher wins prestigious award
Milken award.jpg

A stunned Roosevelt High School science teacher was cheered by hundreds of students Thursday as she received one of the most distinguished education awards in the country.

Elisa Winger Schorr, a teacher in the POWER (Pursuit of Wellness Education) Academy on the Roosevelt campus, was announced as one of two Oregon recipients of the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award by Susan Castillo, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

"Ms. Schorr's unparalleled instructional excellence is matched by her never-ending enthusiasm for her students, her belief in North Portland's potential, and her long-time commitment to Roosevelt schools," Roosevelt Campus Principal Deborah Peterson said.

Schorr, 28, learned of her recognition, which includes a $25,000 cash award, at an all-school assembly Jan. 10 that had been announced publicly as a discussion of state high school diplomas. Castillo, Milken Family Foundation Senior Vice President Jane Foley and PPS Superintendent Carole Smith, were members of a small group that knew the true purpose of the event.

After a short talk regarding the educational achievements of Roosevelt students and teachers, Foley announced that one of the teachers in the room was about to become one of only 80 instructors nationwide to receive the coveted award.

After her name was announced, Schorr rose slowly from her seat and walked across the stage of the auditorium filled with standing, cheering students and teachers. Schorr, Castillo and Foley slowly unrolled the large facsimile $25,000 check.

Schorr, whose classes at POWER are so engaging and popular that students sign up for additional science courses as electives, quickly acknowledged her Roosevelt colleagues and community supporters, and expressed her commitment to the school.

“This is where I want to be,” she said.

Foley said foundation Chairman Lowell Milken created the award because teachers deserve recognition and often don’t get it.

"We have so many exceptional teachers on the Roosevelt campus, and all Roosevelt teachers and staff were honored today by Superintendents Susan Castillo and Carole Smith, who recognized the progress our three schools have made thanks to the work of our teachers, staff, community, and especially our students," Peterson said.

Milken award-winners are selected for their exceptional talent, accomplishments in instruction and results in student learning, their potential as future leaders and engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.

A graduate of Willamette University in Salem, Schorr taught with Teach for America in Houston before joining Roosevelt.

John P. O’Neill Jr., of Forest Grove High School, Forest Grove School District, was the other educator recognized Thursday by the Milken organization.

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Portland Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and educator.

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