Lachenmayr teaches fourth grade math and science at Garner’s Timber Drive Elementary School. She earned an M.Ed. in elementary education from Meredith College in 2010. She was the graduate student speaker at Meredith’s commencement exercises and is a member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society.

Unsuspecting recipients of the Milken Educator Award are caught by surprise during annual notifications when their names are announced at all-school assemblies. Click here to read more on WRAL.com.

Called the ”Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine, the Milken Educator Awards were created in 1985 by education reform leader Lowell Milken to celebrate, elevate and activate excellence in the profession. Individual winners receive a $25,000 unrestricted prize.

Based on guidelines established by the Foundation, participating states’ departments of education appoint blue-ribbon committees that recommend candidates for selection. Criteria include

•Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;

•Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;

•Individuals whose contributions to education are largely unheralded yet worthy of the spotlight;

•Early- to mid-career educators who offer strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and

•Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.

Click here to read Lachenmayr’s profile on the Milken Family Foundation website.