University of New England

Graduate of Teacher Certification Program wins Milken National Educator Award

Melissa Noack, a graduate of UNE's Teacher Certification Program, was recently awarded a $25,000 Milken National Educator Award for being an outstanding teacher. Noack is a Yarmouth High School art teacher.

The award is presented by the California-based Milken Family Foundation and is considered to be the "Oscar of teaching." The foundation instituted the award 20 years ago to recognize exceptional educators and to encourage young people to become teachers.

Noack was presented the Milkin Award at a special assembly at Yarmouth High School. The award was presented by Jane Foley, a foundation representative.

Foley was quoted in the Portland Press Herald, noting that although there are trophies and prizes for outstanding athletes, actors and scientists, teachers don't get the same kind of recognition. "The one profession that prepares you for all the other professions hasn't been part of that celebration, and that's just wrong," Foley said.

About 100 teachers across the nation were recognized this year, including another Maine teacher, Alex Briasco-Brin, who teaches math at Freeport Middle School. The foundation got Noack's name from a list of talented educators provided by the state Department of Education. In 1998, she received the Sallie Mae First Class Teacher Award for the State of Maine. She was a 7th grade art teacher at the time, and was one of only three art teachers out of the 52 teachers honored.

Melisa Noack earned her bachelor of fine arts from the University of Southern Maine. But she chose UNE's Teacher Certification Program over her alma mater's  because she liked the UNE focus on general education and the ability to do it on a part-time basis. "UNE's program is so special," she raved. "I made a good decision."