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Mililani High teacher wins Milken award for top educator

By Star-Bulletin staff

POSTED: 12:16 p.m. HST, Oct 22, 2009

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Lisa-Anne Tsuruda, a 12th-grade English teacher at Mililani High School, is Hawaii's winner of the prestigious Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award this year.

The award, with a $25,000 cash prize, was presented to her this morning by Gov. Linda Lingle at a school assembly.

Tsuruda, a 16-year veteran with the state Department of Education screamed, "Oh my God! I absolutely love this school!" when the award was announced.

Tsuruda, who prefers that students call her "Aunty Lisa," told the 2,500 cheering students, "I tried to be the best because you guys tried to be the best."

In reference to controversy over 17 furlough teaching days due to state budget cuts, she said, "I'm a teacher 365 days a year. My kids know I'm very reachable. Even if they call me at 1 in the morning, I'll be there for them."

 

Lisa-Anne Tsuruda, a 12th-grade English teacher at Mililani High School, is Hawaii's winner of the prestigious Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award this year.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Teacher Lisa-Anne Tsuruda (center) of Mililani High School reacts to the announcement that she has won the Milken Award. Described by some as the "Oscars" of teaching, the prize comes with $25,000, no strings attached. Tsuruda teaches 12th grade British Literature and Advanced Placement Literature and Composition.

The award, with a $25,000 cash prize, was presented to her this morning by Gov. Linda Lingle at a school assembly.

Tsuruda, a 16-year veteran with the state Department of Education screamed, "Oh my God! I absolutely love this school!" when the award was announced.

Tsuruda, who prefers that students call her "Aunty Lisa," told the 2,500 cheering students, "I tried to be the best because you guys tried to be the best."

In reference to controversy over 17 furlough teaching days due to state budget cuts, she said, "I'm a teacher 365 days a year. My kids know I'm very reachable. Even if they call me at 1 in the morning, I'll be there for them."

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