Shannon Harvey has won an Oscar. An Oscar in the teaching world, that is. Harvey is principal of Cascade Elementary School in Renton. She won the 2008 Milken National Educational Award, which Teacher magazine calls the “Oscars of Teaching.”
Harvey was notified of the award at a school-wide assembly at Cascade Wednesday morning.
The award includes a $25,000 prize, which Harvey will receive at the annual Milken Family Foundation National Education Conference in Los Angeles in April. Established in 1982, the award recognizes educators who show exceptional talent, educational accomplishments in and beyond the classroom, engaging and inspiring presence and long-range leadership potential.
Harvey is the only educator in Washington to win the prestigious award. About 80 teachers in the United States won the Milken this year.
Harvey said she didn’t know Wednesday’s assembly was in her honor until her name was announced. She said she was “in shock.”
“I feel so honored,” she said after receiving the award. “The staff here is amazing. They make this job so easy. I feel lucky to work here.”
The Milken has no formal application or nomination process. Harvey was recommended for the award by a committee from Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Renton School District Superintendent Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel included Harvey in a talent pool she recommended to the state office.
“Oh, she’s one of my best principals,” Heuschel said. “Her heart’s in the right place. She cares about kids. She knows instruction. She’s one of the best. She’s great.”
Terry Bergeson, state superintendent of public instruction, joined Richard Sandler, executive vice president of the Milken Family Foundation, in making Wednesday’s announcement.
“To be effective, principals must see near and far,” Bergeson said in an OSPI press release. “Shannon has that amazing vision. Her leadership and organizational skills help keep the day-to-day machinery at Cascade running smoothly.”
According to Bergeson, during Harvey’s tenure, Cascade has gone from 48 percent of its students meeting standard on the reading WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning) to 81 percent. In 2007, not one Cascade student scored at the lowest level on the reading WASL, Bergeson added in the press release.
“That kind of dedication to each student makes her a worthy winner of the Milken Award,” Bergeson said.
To boost math performance, Harvey is obtaining grant money and attending all-district math curriculum trainings.
In 2007, a group of 13 elementary principals in Renton School District selected Harvey as their team leader. She mentors aspiring administrators and teachers seeking National Board certification.
Harvey has worked in Renton School District 16 years — five as Cascade’s principal. She also worked at Highlands Elementary School and as a special-education teacher at Campbell Hill Elementary School.
Harvey can spend the $25,000 prize however she likes. She doesn’t have the specifics down, but she knows her staff will benefit.
“I know I want to do some kind of celebration with my staff,” she said.
Harvey’s win makes her a member of the Milken Educator Network. This group includes more than 2,300 educators who help network members expand programs in their classrooms, schools and districts.
