In April of last year, Ms. Arnold, a math teacher here at Frederick High School, was surprised with the Milken Educator Award.
Ms. Arnold had no idea that this was going to happen. She was only told to attend an assembly and keep an eye on her students. In fact, she said, “I was a little upset that I had to attend the assembly because I did not want to lose instruction time and no one told us why we were there. I was sitting all the way on the back of the bleacher in the gym to keep an eye on the students…” When Ms. Arnold’s name was called as the winner of the Milken Educator Award, she was shocked. “There are so many great teachers at FHS,” she said. When faced with those presenting the award and the $25,000 cash prize, Ms. Arnold was overcome with emotion. She was asked to give a speech and, though she was flustered, the speech “came from [her] heart.”
Shortly after receiving the award, Ms. Arnold called her husband to tell him the good news. Then, after an interview with the Frederick News Post, word spread quickly. According to her sons, Ms. Arnold, “became a celebrity.”
The two months following the award held more recognition and honor for Ms. Arnold. In May, she was recognized at the Maryland State Board meeting. In June she attended the Milken Educator Forum in Los Angeles. At the forum she was given her check as well as a gold pin. There, she met other educators from all over the country who had also received the award. She called the forum “inspirational” and said she “was reminded the important job that we do as educators and the difference that we are making.”
When asked what her plans were following this honor, Ms. Arnold described the responsibilities that come with the pin she received. “This pin is a reminder that the award was not just given for the work I have done but instead what I am about to do”. She said she continues to improve her teaching and will “continue to make positive impact for my students, my school, [and] my community.”
