Brittany Matsushino would never call herself a rock star.
But the Cienega High School teacher felt like one on Monday afternoon when she was surprised in front of the entire school with a check for $25,000.
Surrounded by cheering students and colleagues, Matsushino found herself on the verge of tears as she accepted the Milken Educator Award.
“I’m very humbled,” said Matsushino who teaches sophomore English and serves as the Student Council advisor. “You don’t get into the teaching profession to be acknowledged, you don’t get into it for the salary. You get into it because you’re passionate about the students, you’re passionate about making a difference in their lives, so it’s very humbling to be recognized for that.”
At a time when teachers are leaving the education profession in droves citing low pay and lack of respect, the Milken Educator Award seeks to recognize talented educators and to elevate the profession.
The hype surrounding the presentation of the award at a school-wide assembly complete with performances by the marching band, spirit line and color guard is meant to get students excited about the work their teachers are doing, encouraging them to consider a career in education as well.
“For me, she’s been such a big support through everything,” said Cienega Student Body President Celina Pargas. “I’ve had her as a teacher since junior year, and she’s been such a big influence in my life, and she truly is inspiring. Seeing her win that award truly means a lot to all of us because she truly does deserve it.”
Added Senior Class President Monica Long, “Mrs. Matsushino, out of all of the teachers I know here at Cienega, she is so into her work. She works the hardest that I’ve ever seen a teacher work. She’s compassionate, she works with students very well. She can relate to us very well and she’s always thinking of us.”
For Matsushino, an educator for seven years, the award came as a complete shock.
Unlike most teacher recognition programs, there is no formal nomination process for the Milken Educator Awards, created in 1987. Rather, each participating state department of education appoints an independent blue-ribbon committee to review candidates sourced through a confidential selection process.
Those selected are considered to be highly effective, with student achievement results to back their instructional practices. Their contributions must go beyond the classroom, modeling excellence for colleagues and the community.
“Brittany Matsushino is a dedicated, spirited and inspired leader who has taken Cienega High School to new heights,” said Milken Family Foundation Chairman and Co-founder Lowell Milken. “Her classroom is a hub of interaction and engagement as students are pushed to think critically, set high expectations and track their progress.”
Matsushino wasn’t the only one in the dark, the entire Vail school was lured to the gymnasium under the guise that the state superintendent would be addressing them about academic achievement.
As it became clear that a Cienega teacher was going to be honored, an unsuspecting Matsushino was nudged by a student and was seen shrugging off the suggestion that it could be her.
“I was very humbled, I couldn’t believe that we would take time out of the day to be able to recognize one of our colleagues, let alone it being me,” she said.
As far as Matsushino is concerned, the honor could have gone to any of her fellow educators at the A-rated school and it would have been well-deserved.
“A dozen other names came through my mind because I know no matter what, we have wonderful teachers at Cienega,” Matsushino said. “There are so many that are so well deserving of recognition.”
Not planning for a $25,000 windfall, Matsushino was unsure about how she would spend her winnings, but said it could go toward the master’s degree in educational leadership she is earning.
The Milken Family Foundation surprised another Arizona teacher with a $25,000 check earlier in the day in Mesa. No more than 40 educators from across the country will receive the Milken Educator Award this year.
