Sweeney receives a $25,000 check from the Milken Family Foundation
                                                                       The Bay Net Photos by Anna Bedford   

State Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick made a surprise visit to Leonardtown Elementary yesterday for a special assembly. It was special not only because of her presence, along with other state and local officials, but also because members of the Milken Foundation had traveled from the state of California to make a special presentation.

 
Sweeney gets a congratulatory hug from her daughter, Sam, a student at Leonardtown Elementary

When Evelyn Sweeney attended the morning assembly hosted at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School, she had no idea that she was the guest of honor and would walk away with a $25,000 check.

Sweeney was selected for the Milken Educator Award for excellent teachers across the nation. Dr. Lewis Solmon, President of the National Institute for Excellence and senior advisor and member of the Milken Family Foundation Board of Trustees, explained their mission to reward excellence in teaching. “In other fields excellence is rewarded,” he told the assembly, citing the Emmys for actors, Most Valuable Player for basketball, and the Nobel Prize for science. “Teachers have the most important job in America and are not recognized – and we think that’s just wrong,” Dr. Solomon said.

“I walk around with a magnifying glass and see which are the really good schools,” said Dr. Darla Strouse of Maryland State Department of Education. “And when I look with my magnifying glass I find Leonardtown Elementary is one of those great schools – and it’s because of you,” Strouse told the children at the assembly.

 
“Speech Please!” Superintendent Dr. Martirano steers Sweeney towards the mic. as Princiapal Denise Eichel looks on.

In awarding the Milken Educator Award, the board considers criteria that include exceptional talent; distinguished achievement in developing innovative educational curricula, programs, and methods; outstanding ability to develop students’ character and self confidence; and commitment to professional development.

Sweeney is now in her eighth year as a third grade teacher at Leonardtown Elementary. She is a classroom teacher, special education inclusion teacher, extended day teacher, and St. Mary’s County Public Schools member on the Social Studies Committee and the Multicultural Committee. In addition, Sweeney is a bilingual teacher who has graciously translated school routines, procedures, and policies to foster a smooth