A Manassas, Va., school principal was greeted by big applause Tuesday after being surprised with an honor best described as the Oscar of education.
Neil Beech won a Milken Family Foundation National Education Award.
Educator awards recognize and reward elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and administrators who promote excellence and innovation in public education.
The Osbourn Park High School principal was chosen for being a pioneer in virtual instruction and teacher training.
Milken Family Foundation’s senior vice president was quick to sing Beech’s praise.
“He has great leadership in pulling together the different disciplines and really challenge students to achieve in their grade levels … and think about college and think about all the things that they’re going to do after high school and be very well prepared for it because of this school,” Jane Foley said.
For his excellence, Beech also was awarded a $25,000 prize.
“As a school, we value, obviously, learning and we try to work hard every day to support student learning,” he said.
Beech is the 36th Virginia educator and the fifth from Prince William County schools to win the award since 1999.
Click here for more information on the Milken Educator Awards.
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