LANDER—What she thought was a routine assembly on Tuesday morning at Gannett Peak Elementary School turned out to be much more for Assistant Principal Megan Park when she discovered she won a prestigious $25,000 educator award.
The news was a surprise to nearly everyone packed into the school’s gymnasium — a crowd that included the student body of kindergarten through third graders, teachers, and local and state elected officials.
Park, who was sitting near the lectern when Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop made the announcement, joked later that she “blacked out” when she heard her name. “It was surreal,” she said.
The school’s principal, Leslie Voxland, said she wasn’t surprised one bit when she became one of the few folks to learn early that Park had been selected. Park possesses both that depth of caring and the ability to connect the puzzle pieces — students, parents, needs, lessons — that make education successful, Voxland said.
She remembered a quote Park herself used when she applied for the job.
“It’s that: People will forget what you said. People will forget what you do. But people will never forget how you made them feel,” she said. “And I know that Mrs. Park lives that every day because when you come into her presence, she makes you feel special.”
Rather than accepting applications or recommendations, the Milken Awards staff goes on a nationwide search for the most outstanding educators in the country, Vice President Stephanie Bishop said.
Though much of the process is confidential, Bishop said, “we are looking for exemplary educators who are innovating in the classrooms and in schools.” They also target educators who are early to mid-career “because this award could really be a jumping off point for them.”
At Gannett Peak, Bishop said, Park “has her finger on the pulse of what’s happening with every student. And she’s working with teachers to really individualize instruction here so that students are more successful.”
Her impacts have rippled beyond the school, Bishop added. “So it’s like her leadership has this exponential impact. And so that’s another thing that we’re looking for is kind of ‘leadership beyond.’”
Along with inclusion in the 2024 cohort and attendance at a national forum, the award includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize.
Park is a former classroom and special education teacher who has worked in Lander schools for years. In her post as assistant principal, she has helped implement reading and math interventions and high-quality tailored instruction, Voxland said. Perhaps most importantly, Park has somehow managed to build a meaningful relationship with every student, teacher and family, she said.
Park said she has always wanted to be an educator. “It’s the most important work there is,” she said. “Because without educators, we can’t become anything. It’s just where my heart is.”
We’ve two very successful kiddos who spent most of K-12 in Fremont County School District 1. We never doubted it is one of the state’s best. Full of incredible teachers, staff and administrators. Hearty congratulations to all and especially Ms. Park. We are all grateful!
“It’s that: People will forget what you said. People will forget what you do. But people will never forget how you made them feel,”
That’s some sage advice to live by. Perhaps degenfelder could benefit from incorporating it into her life as well
Congratulations to Park. It seems as if it’s well deserved.