A high school principal in Twin Falls was named the 2011 Milken Educator of the Year in Idaho during a surprise assembly Wednesday morning.
Brady Dickinson, principal of Canyon Ridge High School in Twin Falls, received $25,000 as part of the prestigious award from the Milken Family Foundation. He was recognized statewide for his visionary leadership, use of data to guide instruction, and ability to raise student achievement among all students at his school.
“I am proud to recognize Brady Dickinson as the 2011 Milken Educator of the Year in Idaho. Even though he is a new principal, he is a strong leader in his school and district. Because of his leadership, the students at Canyon Ridge High School are growing and excelling,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “I also want to thank the Milken Family Foundation for its continual support of Idaho’s great educators. It is critical for us to recognize and reward excellence in our schools.”
Dickinson’s identity was kept secret until Superintendent Luna announced the award during a schoolwide assembly at Canyon Ridge High School on Wednesday. Superintendent Luna was joined by Dr. Thomas Boysen of the Milken Family Foundation, Dr. Wiley Dobbs, superintendent of the Twin Falls School District, local legislators, and members of the city council.
“Mr. Dickinson is truly deserving of this great honor. His enthusiasm for teaching and learning, his outstanding leadership abilities, the genuine care and concern he has for all students, his expertise in the profession’s ‘cutting edge’ strategies and practices, and his high level of integrity make him the caliber of administrator that all districts seek,” said Dr. Dobbs.
Dickinson is now one of 13 educators in Idaho – and one of only two principals – who have received the prestigious Milken Educator Award since Idaho joined the Milken program in 2003. More than 2,500 educators have received the award nationwide.
The Milken Family Foundation was established in 1982 to discover and advance inventive and effective ways of helping people help themselves, and those around them, lead productive and satisfying lives. The Foundation advances this mission primarily through its work in education and medical research. For more information about the Milken Family Foundation, please visit http://www.mff.org/.
About Brady Dickinson
Brady Dickinson was awarded the 2011 Milken Educator of the Year in Idaho because of his visionary leadership, use of data to guide instruction, and ability to raise student achievement among all students at his school. According to his colleagues, he believes every student can succeed and every teacher can help their students succeed.
Students at Canyon Ridge High School have shown gains in academic achievement in recent years because of Mr. Dickinson’s focus. He works hard to analyze the data available and make decisions on where to best place resources to help kids who struggle as well as those who excel. Even though he is a new principal, his colleagues recognize he is a great leader and often turn to him for leadership and guidance in tough times.
For these reasons and more, Brady Dickinson is the 2011 Milken Educator of the Year in Idaho.