A teacher at Clyde-Savannah Elementary School was recognized with the prestigious Milken Educator Award last week.
“I’m in complete shock,” said Caitlin Garvey, a special education teacher. “It was just such an honor.”
The award comes from the Milken Family Foundation, which recognizes excellence in teaching across the country to inspire not only educators but also students and communities.
But Garvey said the credit should go to her colleagues.
“As much as I feel so excited and honored to be receiving this,” Garvey said, “I also think that they deserve some recognition as well, because we are a very small school, but we are some really hard workers.
“I think it's fantastic to see the whole district being recognized.”
Garvey said teaching special education was intimidating at first, but she quickly learned how much the students contribute.
“But sometimes it's just difficult for them to be able to share it in a way that you or I are accustomed to,” she said. “And I was just inspired by the incredible artwork, or the funny comments, or just the things that would come out of these kiddos.”
The Milken Educator Award comes with a $25,000 cash prize.
