RI social studies teacher, reading specialist surprised with $25K Milken Educator Awards

CENTRAL FALLS — Two teachers from very different districts, one rural, one urban, received the educational equivalent of the Oscars on Tuesday as joyful pandemonium broke out in their respective auditoriums.

The Rhode Island winners of the Milken Educator Awards are Nancie Lawrence, a reading specialist at the Steere Farm Elementary School in Burrillville, and John Rosenbaum, a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Segue Institute for Learning, a charter school in Central Falls.

The award honors teachers who display excellence in education, creativity and leadership skills. Winners receive $25,000 and a free trip to California, where they can meet with other award winners from across the country.

'I hear you bring history alive'

At Segue on Tuesday, students were as stunned as the recipient when a Milken spokesman announced the award. The auditorium erupted into wild cheers as Rosenbaum pumped his hands in the air and let out a huge shout.

“I hear you bring history alive,” said state education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “He transforms his classroom for every lesson. We’re so proud of you.”

Providence School Board member: I considered pulling my son from the system

As students dressed in their school color, purple, shouted “Rosenbaum, Rosenbaum,” John took the microphone.

John Rosenbaum, Segue Institute for Learning in Central Falls

“I would not be the teacher I am today without this school,” he said. “I owe everything to the teachers at Segue. I owe my passion for teaching to these students. It means a lot. It means a lot.”

Rosenbaum grew up in a family where both parents studied to be teachers, then changed their minds. But something must have rubbed off on John because he became an educator, and, according to his colleagues, a really good one.

From his parents, Rosenbaum said he learned kindness, patience and the strength to be there for his sister, who is developmentally delayed.

What makes Rosenbaum special? The way he — and his students — color outside the lines. During a class on Egypt, he brought in some (dead) chickens and taught his students how to mummify them.

“Two years later, and they still don’t smell,” he said.

During a unit on the Spartans, his students formed a phalanx, armed with cardboard shields and swords. “They learned the power of numbers, that even cardboard shields could be successful in battle,” Rosenbaum said.

“I always try to take a dusty, dry subject and bring it to life,” he said. “I love coming to school every day. I look forward to changing lives.”

Segue’s director, Angelo Garcia, said Rosenbaum “teaches compassion and creativity and makes a connection with kids” who don’t always have that opportunity.

'I always played school when I was a kid'

At the opposite end of the state, Lawrence received thunderous applause amidst a sea of students wearing “cool to be kind” T-shirts, the school's motto.

“We don’t say thank you to our educators enough,” said Jane Foley, Milken Awards senior vice president. “You don’t apply for this award. We find you. Your teacher is a member of an elite, all-star team.”

Nancie Lawrence, Steere Farm Elementary School in Burrillville

Afterward, a tearful Lawrence said she has always wanted to be a teacher, adding, “I always played school when I was a kid.”

As a third-grade teacher, Lawrence led the effort to introduce instructional rounds, where teachers observe their colleagues. While some teachers were reluctant to embrace the program, Lawrence won them over; the entire district now conducts this type of professional training.

“She has the uncanny ability to be kind and assertive at the same time,” said Kyle Wilson, a math coach. “Her classroom is a well-oiled machine. She does 1,000 things really well.”

Her principal, Janet Lyons, described Lawrence as a dedicated professional “who takes her students’ needs to heart.”

“Her depth of knowledge is impeccable,” Lyons said.

The Milken Award is not a lifetime achievement award. Winners are honored in their early to middle careers for what they have achieved and for what they are still to accomplish. There are about 60 honorees nationally.

Linda Borg covers education for The Journal.

Special education: Families say the system is broken in RI and call for a new office to help fix it

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Two RI teachers surprised with $25K Milken Educator awards rural, urban