BY DANA DiFILIPPO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Silverton Elementary School Principal Henri Bradshaw knew some important guests would visit Wednesday morning. He scheduled an assembly, even though they volunteered few details about their agenda.
Then he saw his wife in the audience. And former Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier. And the principal knew something was up.
But when Lowell Milken, president of the Santa Monica, Calif.-based Milken Family Foundation, finally confessed the reason for his visit, Mr. Bradshaw could only grin and shake his head in disbelief. CP:H. Bradshaw
He'd won one of the foundation's National Educator Awards. His prize: $25,000, to spend any way he wishes.
"This award really shouldn't go to me," Mr. Bradshaw said, glancing at Mr. Grier, a foundation board member. "It should go to the parents, teachers and students at Silverton School. This is one big, happy family here, and I think the only reason we work as well as we do is because we work together."
Mr. Bradshaw was one of four Ohio educators -- and 160 nationwide -- to win foundation awards this year. Awards are being presented this week.
Shirley Curtis, a math resource teacher at Freedom Elementary in West Chester, also received an award Wednesday.
When Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction John Goff walked into a sixth-grade classroom at Freedom, Mrs. Curtis continued distributing graph paper for the day's problem.
The 11-year teacher didn't know Mr. Goff was there to honor her, even when he told the children he intended to present someone an award and $25,000 cash prize.
After Mr. Goff announced Mrs. Curtis as the winner, she stood speechless.
"It is our youth I'm going to believe in," Mrs. Curtis said to her students, after regaining her composure. "And what do you think I'm going to spend some of this money on? Math!"
The foundation chose Mr. Bradshaw, a 21-year educator whom former Ohio Gov. Richard Celeste named Principal of the Year, because of his efforts to use technology to improve students' learning and involve families and the community in school.
Cheering students seconded that opinion.
"He's a good principal; he doesn't get mad at kids for doing crazy things. He just calls their parents," said John Bennett, 9, a fourth-grader from Golf Manor.
Agreed Tiffany Richardson, 9, a fourth-grader from Silverton: "He has nice manners and he's good to the students."
Mr. Bradshaw said he'll probably spend some money on Silverton School. Most winners use the money to support their own children's education, further their education or spend it on their school, Mr. Milken said.
The foundation has given 34 awards, totaling $850,000, in Ohio since 1992. Nationwide, 1,330 educators have received more than $33.3 million in foundation awards since 1987.
To win, candidates must show exceptional talent and promise, innovation, dedication, ability to instill character and self-confidence in students, commitment to professional development and creative use of technology in learning.
Sue Kiesewetter contributed to this report..
