WHITEWATER TWP. — Susan Tave Zelman took the stage in the gymnasium at Miamitown Elementary School Thursday morning to tell students she had a very special secret to share with them.

        “One of your teachers is going to get an award today. ... it's given to one of the best teachers in the whole United States,” said Ohio's superintendent of public instruction. “This teacher is very, very special. ... Do you want me to share the secret with you? Her first name is Susan, just like mine.”

Shortly after winning her award, Susan Jefferson was back in the classroom with her first-grade students. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        As Ms. Zelman finished, the eyes of first-grade teacher Susan Jefferson began tearing up as she realized the all-school assembly had been called to present her with a prestigious Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award that carries a $25,000 prize.

        As she made her way onto the stage amid the applause, Mrs. Jefferson stopped to receive a quick hug from second-grade teacher Sally Ortolf.

        “I really enjoy my job,” Mrs. Jefferson said. “I love teaching.”

        Mrs. Jefferson is one of 150 educators nationally and three in Ohio who will be informed this week — either in their classroom or at assemblies — that they have received the award that recognizes outstanding teachers. As a winner, Mrs. Jefferson will participate next June in the annual Milken Family Foundation National Education Conference in Los Angeles, and become part of the Milken Educator Network.

        She is the second educator from the Southwest Local Schools to receive the award since its 1985 start. Six years ago, the award went to Gregg Tracy, then-principal at Whitewater Valley Elementary School, now principal at Cottonwood Elementary. He and 1998 Milken winner Shirley Curtis, from Lakota's Freedom Elementary School, were on hand to recognize Mrs. Jefferson.

        “I was stunned. I was not expecting it at all,” said Mrs. Jefferson, 35, who is a 1983 graduate of William Henry Harrison High School, and is in her 14th year at Miamitown.

        “The important thing in teaching is every child can learn. I love teaching first grade. The kids come in barely knowing their sounds, and by the end of the year they are reading fluently. The growth is just amazing.”

        Within the Southwest Local Schools, Mrs. Jefferson is well known for her method of teaching phonics that at times incorporates lessons during which the children listen, watch or move. Last year, she was the school's leader in writing a grant request for an accelerated reader program that was funded by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.

        She coordinates that program, serves as a mentor for first-year teachers, and makes presentations during parent workshops. Mrs. Jefferson was named Miamitown's Teacher of the Year four times since 1990 and last year was named the district's Teacher of the Year. Two years ago she earned honorable mention for USA Today's All-USA Teacher Team.

        “Susan is a very special teacher,” said Miamitown Principal Carter Cordes. “She is a teacher's teacher. She is always willing to help other staff members.”

        He told the group that he had known Mrs. Jefferson was someone very special from the time he met her when she was in his junior high social studies class.

        Just minutes after the assembly ended, Mrs. Jefferson was back in her classroom. It was time for a reading lesson for her first-graders.

        “She won a million, zillion dollars!,” exclaimed first-grader Justin Roth, 6.

        “She's a good teacher. She helped me read,” said Teddy Green, 7.
       

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