Congresswoman Hirono Congratulates Wilcox Elementary School Teacher Karen Heresa for Winning 2008 Milken Educator Award
LIHU‘E, Hawai‘i—Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) today congratulated Wilcox Elementary School teacher Karen Heresa for earning the prestigious 2008 Milken Educator Award. In a surprise announcement ceremony, the Congresswoman presented Heresa with a cash award for $25,000 in conjunction with the Milken honor.
“Mrs. Heresa is more than just an enthusiastic teacher at Wilcox Elementary school. She is also an inspirational leader who has her students believing in what they do inside and out of the classroom,” said Hirono. “Looking back to March of last year, when she helped rebuild Wilcox Elementary School following a devastating fire, Mrs. Heresa exhibited an unquestioned love for her students, love for her school, and love for her community.”
Karen Heresa has served as a special education teacher at Wilcox Elementary School for the past 14 years. She is best known on campus for her professionalism and caring attitude toward her students.
A native of New York, Heresa graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from the State University of New York at Geneseo. She is classified as a “highly qualified teacher” under the No Child Left Behind Act. Heresa received special recognition in 2001 as a co-author of Wilcox Elementary School’s Hawaiian Value Character Education Program.
Hawaii has been part of the Milken Educator Awards since 1990-91.
The Milken Educator Awards' mission is to strengthen the education profession by celebrating and rewarding outstanding educators for their achievements, expanding their opportunities for professional growth, and uniting them in a nationwide network aimed at reforming education through action.
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