Spotlight on the 2024 National Discovery Award Competition Outstanding Teachers

November 25, 2024

Vol. 11

Spotlight on the 2024 National Discovery Award Competition Outstanding Teachers

In September, the Lowell Milken Center proudly announced the outstanding educators honored in the 2024 National Discovery Award competition. In this edition of our newsletter, we want to dedicate special recognition to these exceptional teachers whose efforts inspire excellence and student achievement.

Chris Dier of Benjamin Franklin High School (LA), a 2023 LMC Fellow, was honored as the inaugural National Discovery Award Outstanding Teacher for his remarkable dedication to student engagement and project-based learning. Additional Outstanding Teacher Awards were presented to Megan Helberg (Loup County Public Schools, NE), Tami Lunsford (Newark Charter School, NJ), and Miranda Spina and Jayda Pugliese (St. Mary Interparochial School, PA).

These educators have gone above and beyond, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and the discovery of unsung heroes whose stories inspire change. Their contributions ensure that the Discovery Award’s legacy continues to empower the next generation of changemakers.

In Their Own Words: Educators Reflect on the

Discovery Award Experience

We reached out to each of the Outstanding Teacher Award winners to hear their thoughts on the impact of the Discovery Award competition. These educators shared their inspiring experiences of guiding students through the process of uncovering the stories of unsung heroes and how this journey has enriched their classrooms. Their reflections highlight the power of project-based learning to ignite curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper connection to history. Following are their responses.

2024 National Outstanding Teacher Chris Dier Shares How the Discovery Award Transformed His Classroom Hear how this innovative competition has empowered his students and elevated his teaching approach. We know you’ll be inspired!

Thank you to the Kansas Museums Association for selecting Fort Scott as the host city for the 2024 KMA Conference! It was a privilege to connect with museum professionals from across the state, share the work of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, and present on Life in a Jar. We’re excited about future collaborations and opportunities to celebrate history together.

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For just $100, you can create a unique and enduring tribute to honor a hero in your life. By purchasing a brick, you not only create a lasting memorial but also support the Lowell Milken Center’s mission to share the remarkable stories of Unsung Heroes throughout history.

Your purchase is tax-deductible, as the Lowell Milken Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We’ll promptly email you a printable certificate, making it a hassle-free and meaningful gift option.

Secure your brick today by visiting the Lowell Milken Center at 1 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS, or by submitting this form: https://bit.ly/brick_form. For more information, contact LMC at 620-223-1312.

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