Jennifer Albert receives national award for outstanding teaching

By Susan Hardee Steger
November 29, 2018 8:23 p.m.

Jennifer Albert was named a “Milken Educator” today at Emma Love Hardee Elementary School. The Milken award, described by Scholastic Teacher Magazine as the “Oscar” for teachers, was presented to a surprised Albert during a morning assembly. Albert is one of 40 honored in the United States and the only recipient from Florida. (For more information on Albert, click here.)

Students and teachers of Emma Love Hardee Elementary School walked into the school’s multipurpose room where television crews, multiple photographers and print media were waiting to record a great moment for Nassau County Schools.

After beautiful music, and an exciting build up, Albert was awarded a $25,000 check from the Milken Foundation. In March,  she will attend the Milken Educator Forum in New Orleans where 2,700 top teachers, principals, and specialist will gather to network with state and federal officials.

Surely Albert’s greatest award was returning to her students who greeted her with smiling faces, big hugs, and congratulations. When students were asked what they liked about their teacher, the following heartfelt responses were received from her 5th grade class.

“She’s a great teacher!” (4 times)
“Every day she teaches us with passion and she loves us.”
“I love how nice she is because she is awesome.”
“She is so nice and she helps us learn.”
“She always helps you if you have a problem.”
“When I’m down, she is always there to help me.”
“She is such a good teacher and she teaches us really well.”
“She is the perfect teacher.”
“She is a great teacher and she taught my brother.”
“She is one of the best teachers I could ever have.”
“She is everything I could wish for to be my amazing outstanding teacher.”
“She deserves it [award].”
“I’m speechless.”
“She is a great teacher and I don’t even know what is happening!”
“She is the best teacher there is, and I will never forget her.”
“I think she should teach forever.”

Representatives from the Milken Foundation including four former Milken Educator Award recipients were on hand.  Local elected officials, State Senator Aaron Bean and State Representative Cord Byrd and Pam Stewart, Florida Education Commissioner attended the event.

According to information provided by the Milken Foundation, “Milken Educators are selected in early to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. In addition to the $25,000 prize and public recognition, the honor includes membership in the National Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,700 top teachers, principals and specialists dedicated to strengthening education.”