Kearney teacher honored with prestigious award

KEARNEY, Neb. -- A Kearney teacher was surprised Wednesday morning when she received a prestigious education award.

Bryant Elementary teacher Michelle Fouts received a $25,000 Milken Education Award.

Fouts teaches second grade at Bryant Elementary in Kearney.

 

Hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching," the Milken Educator Awards celebrate, elevate and activate the American teaching profession and inspire young, capable people to join it, according to the Milken Family Foundation.

The Milken Family Foundation recognized Fouts for her efforts to promote reading at Bryant, including a program called Books and Braids, where students are invited to come to school early to read and have their hair braided at the same time.

Fouts graduated from UNK, where she received both bachelor's and master's degrees in teaching.