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When Augustana graduate Kira Christensen won a national teaching award and $25,000, she was more than a little surprised, to say the least.
"I was totally shocked," Christensen said. "I was in total disbelief that I was receiving this great honor."
Christensen, who graduated from Augustana in 2004 as a mathematics and secondary education major, teaches algebra and geometry at Washington High School (WHS) in Sioux Falls.
On Oct. 26, WHS administrators announced an all-school assembly, supposedly to present an award to some students.
However, once everyone took their seats in the gym, the real reason for the assembly was announced: Christensen is one of 53 recipients of a 2009 Milken National Educator award. Gov. Mike Rounds and Education Secretary Tom Oster were on hand to present Christensen with the award.
"Even when my name was called, I thought there was no way it could be me,"
Christensen said. "I just couldn't wrap my head around the idea that I was the one winning an award like this."
The Milken National Educator awards were established by Milken Family Foundation Chairman Lowell Milken to publicly recognize and give a gift of $25,000 to teachers, principals and specialists who are furthering excellence in education.
While Christensen said the award "still feels like a dream," Augustana freshman Kilee Kading, who took Christensen's classes during her sophomore year at WHS, was not as surprised upon hearing about the award.
"She was someone who was always available for students as a math teacher or as a person to talk to outside of class," Kading said. "She brought a positive energy, and it was obvious she picked a profession where she could help others and do what she loves most."
Christensen said her favorite part about teaching is the students.
"They make each day at school interesting, challenging and fun," Christensen said. "But I also just really enjoy teaching. There is an art to it, and I like the challenge of always trying be better."
Music professor James Johnson, who directed Christensen in the Augustana Choir, said he could tell she possessed the qualities that would make her a great teacher.
"She is intelligent, passionate about her subject of math, cares deeply about people—especially her students—and has a great sense of humor coupled with an absolutely infectious laugh," Johnson said. "What more could someone ask for in a teacher?"
As a recipient of the Milken award, Christensen will travel to Santa Monica, Calif., this spring to attend the 2010 Milken Educator Forum, where she will receive the $25,000.
As for the money, Christensen has no doubt as to what she'll do with most of it. She's currently working on getting her Masters in Technology in Education: Global Program through the University of Michigan–Flint.
And although Christensen has been singled out as one of the top educators in the country, she doesn't like to brag about it.
"I work with some incredible educators at Washington, so I find myself looking to them for help, ideas and suggestions constantly," Christensen said. "It never occurred to me that I could possibly win something like this. If someone was going to win something, I thought it was going to be one of the teachers I work with—not me.
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