Chambersburg teacher wins $25,000 award
Photo by Milken Family Foundation
(Chambersburg) — An elementary school teacher in Franklin County is getting $25,000 after winning an award dubbed the Oscars of teaching.
Michael Baum uses hands-on techniques, small group learning sessions, and frequently adjusts his strategies to meet students needs in his second grade classroom in Chambersburg’s Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School.
On top of all that, he’s a role model after the school bell rings, says acting state Secretary of Education Carolyn Dumaresq.
“A lot of the students are walkers and he will go the extra mile to make sure they get safely off the school property, in addition to all of the strong instructional strategies that he uses as an instructional leader in his classroom,” she says.
Baum’s honor, called the Milken Educator Award, is typically given to teachers who are in their early-to-mid stage of their careers.
He’s working towards getting his principal certification, and will now also have access to training materials and mentors through the Milken Educator Network.
The honor from the Milken Family Foundation has been awarded to 53 Pennsylvania educators since it was created in 1987.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
