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Milken award given to Waialua teacher

By: Donna Au

On December 9, 2011, Governor Neil Abercrombie and Superintendent Kathy Matayoshi made a surprise appearance at Waialua High and Intermediate School. The appearance was made during a special hour-long assembly held at Tanaka Square, during which Principal Porris-Tang recognized outstanding teachers and acknowledged the fact that Waialua was the only intermediate and high school to pass the HSA last year. Anticipation rose as Abercrombie announced that there was going to be a “Big surprise for one of your teachers!”

As students eagerly awaited the name of teacher to be awarded, Matayoshi and Abercrombie proceeded to explain what the award was. The Miken Educator Award is given to 40 teachers across the country, and rewards them with a check for $25,000. There are no applications for this award, nor any way to nominate an educator. Recipients are chosen by a special blue-ribbon committee appointed by the state, thus making winners of the prestigious award very well known throughout the community and state. Abercrombie added that, “You can’t apply for this award, this isn’t something you compete for, this is something that is awarded on a consensus that exemplifies the best of teaching.”

Another aspect of the award that makes it so intriguing is that only the members of the committee and people at the Milken Foundation know who won the award. The only information about the award given out is the name of the school that the educator works at; the rest is found at with the opening of an envelope. Matayoshi notes that, “They don’t even know that other people think they’re so great that they were put through this whole process.” Abercrombie stated, “You can’t apply for this award, this isn’t something you compete for, this is something that is awarded on a consensus that exemplifies the best of teaching.”

With spirits and excitement high in the crowd, Abercrombie ripped open the envelope and finally announced the winner. Mr. Glenn Lee was called on stage and given the honor of the Milken Award. Lee has been teaching for 18 years, and is the head of Waialua’s award-winning robotics team. Upon being recognized, Lee thanked his co-workers with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face. He excitedly said, “I don’t know what my wife’s going to say, but she’s the first person I’m going to tell” and exited the stage with Abercrombie and Matayoshi.

Later Lee explained that, although teaching was not his first career choice, he continued being a teacher because he enjoys working with kids. He also said that growing up he had inspirational teachers, and he aims to be like that to the kids he teaches. Principal Porris-Tang said that she was, “Very happy for Glenn because he deserves it, and it brings recognition to both the school and the students.” She also said that Mr. Lee represents what all teachers try to do, which is constantly improve. Abercrombie said, “It’s a recognition of the school, too, because of the great things that have been going on here, the yearly progress, all of it!”

Overall, the ceremony was a successful and joyous surprise at what was thought to be a normal assembly. Abercrombie thinks, “It’s a privilege and honor for me to be here”, something the students and staff at the rural Waialua High and Intermediate school can agree on.

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