Teacher Matthew Reid, center, with Kevin Stapish, Bay City Education Association president, and Saun Strobel, MEA UniServ director.

Great teacher: MEA member wins award – and $25,000

Matthew Reid, a teacher at an alternative high school in Bay City, is the only Michigan educator to win a National Milken Educator Award this year, an honor dubbed the “Oscars of Teaching” that comes with a $25,000 cash prize.

The award was announced October 6 during a surprise assembly at Wenona Center in Bay City.

“I don’t know what to say,” Reid told students, colleagues and guests gathered in the school’s gym. “I get up every morning because I like you guys… and your other teachers do the same thing. We want to be here with you and we want you to be successful. You are the greatest.”

Students responded enthusiastically to the announcement. “We love you!” several yelled out.

Reid, who teaches English, is one of more than 50 teachers nationwide this year to receive the award. This marks the 23rd anniversary of recognizing excellence in education by the Milken Family Foundation.

Jane Foley, a former teacher who now works as senior vice president for the foundation, presented the award. She told students that research shows that the single most important school-based factor impacting student achievement is having a talented teacher in the classroom.

Reid will receive the cash prize – no strings attached – at the Milken National Education Conference in Los Angeles next spring.

Candidates for the Milken Educator Awards are selected based on multiple criteria:

• Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
• Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
• Individuals whose contributions to education are largely unheralded yet worthy of spotlight;
• Early- to mid-career educators who offer strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
• Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues, and the community.

Mike Flanagan, superintendent of public instruction for Michigan, was on hand for Tuesday’s announcement.

“Matt Reid is an outstanding teacher,” said Flanagan, who told students that he attended an alternative school himself. “He is a champion for his students. He inspires and values each one. His ability to work with at-risk students provides a safe harbor for them.”

Reid is a member of the Bay City Education Association. He volunteers as a building representative at his school and he serves as public relations chair for the local union.

Kevin Stapish, president of the Bay City Education Association, said Reid impressed him at their first meeting.

“I knew he was special,” Stapish said.

Wenona Center operates a high school curriculum and a self-contained middle school curriculum as an alternative education program for students who have been unsuccessful in traditional high schools and middle schools.

Updated: October 15, 2009