A teacher at Bath Middle School was surprised with a national educator award and a $25,000 cash prize Wednesday morning, making him the first teacher to receive the award in Regional School Unit 1 and the only teacher in Maine to receive the award this year.
The award, called the Milken Educator Award, provides recognition and financial support to K-12 educators across the country. The group behind it, the Milken Family Foundation, refers to it as the “Oscars of Teaching.” Since Maine joined the foundation’s network in 1990, the state has had 77 educators receive the award, according to a press release.
The recipient from Bath Middle School was science teacher Micah Depper, who was recognized for his enthusiasm, student-first approach and leadership, according to the release. Some of his initiatives have included offering electronic music production for students and starting a club to help students learn to play instruments.
“The band became a safe, nurturing, creative outlet for these budding musicians that they appreciate to this day, providing them with a strong sense of belonging and the motivation to excel academically and personally,” the foundation said.
A representative from the foundation presented the award and check to Depper after teachers and students gathered in the school’s gymnasium for an assembly with the Maine Department of Education.
“I have the pleasure and the honor of being in a role where I got to be in every classroom in this school over the last couple years. And I can say with no reservation that this could have gone to so many of my colleagues here, who are just the most hard working, dedicated, amazing, innovative group of people here. So just to the whole community here, thank you,” Depper said after receiving the award.
The financial award has no strings attached, and Depper will also be able to attend a forum for other awardees in Los Angeles in April.