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Gov. Gregg Abbott, left, presents award to Nederland ISD teacher Jenna Dean
Gov. Greg Abbott made a special trip to Southeast Texas on Feb. 9 to hand-deliver the prestigious Milken Educator Award to Nederland ISD teacher Jenna Dean, who teaches fourth grade at Helena Park Elementary School.
She is the first Nederland ISD teacher to be presented the award.
“Nothing is more important to the enduring success of our state than the education of our youngest Texans,” Abbott said. “Because of talented and passionate teachers like Jenna Dean, our students continue to reach new heights of success as we prepare them to be Texas’ leaders and innovators of tomorrow. Receiving a Milken Educator Award is a distinct testament to an educator’s dedication to fostering brighter futures for our students, and I congratulate Jenna and Nederland ISD for this tremendous honor.”
The governor was joined at the award ceremony by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley, NISD Superintendent Stuart Kieschnick, and other local education leaders.
Along with the award was a $25,000 check to spend however Dean wishes.
Milken Educator Awards recognize early-to-mid career education professionals for their already impressive achievements and the promise of what they will accomplish in the future. Dean is among up to 40 outstanding recipients nationwide. The specific states and schools on this year’s winners’ list remain a closely guarded secret until each award is announced.
In addition to the award, Abbott presented Dean with a proclamation at a surprise school assembly. Dean now has the opportunity to join the national Milken Educator Network of more than 2,900 and growing K-12 educators and leaders across the country. Honorees receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles this April.
“Teachers are the single most important in-school factor impacting student outcomes,” TEA Commissioner Morath remarked. “It’s why I’m honored to join the Milken Family Foundation in celebrating and rewarding Jenna, an exceptional educator in every possible way. Your service to your students and the Nederland community is a shining example that your impact goes well beyond the walls of your classroom. Congratulations and thank you for what you do.”
Dean is a graduate of Lamar University, earning a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies in 2015 and a master’s in educational administration in 2020.
According to Milken Educator Award information on Dean’s classroom, students are encouraged to use research-based practices to tap into strengths and build capacity in areas of challenge, and the innovative educator continually searches for new ways to bring content to life and incorporate hands-on STEM activities into lessons. Dean also serves as grade-level chair and has stepped in for Helena Park’s principal during absences and over the summer. She helps develop the master schedule, places students in interventions, and leads the school’s data efforts, including growth tracking, student conferences, setting goals and organizing celebrations for meeting growth targets.
Dean has served on numerous committees, including the district’s academics committee, where she helped develop guidelines, train colleagues and implement new virtual learning technology as buildings reopened in fall 2020. She has led professional development about educational technology and embracing a growth mindset, worked with the TEA to review new questions for the grade four math STAAR, and is planning for the alignment and enrichment of Helena Park’s math and science curriculum as the school prepares to add fifth graders in 2023-24. Dean also mentors new teachers and education students from Lamar University.
She advocated for the school to adopt Class Tag for parent communication because it allows for easy messaging in multiple languages, especially Spanish and Vietnamese.
Dean also teaches dance at a local studio and is active in her church community.
Since 1987, the Milken Family Foundation has awarded more than $140 million in funding, including more than $73 million in individual awards. Learn more at MFF.org.
– Dannie Oliveaux, Staff Reporter