New Mexico Secretary of Education Dr. Kurt Steinhaus made a surprise visit to Loving High School, accompanied by representatives of the Milken Family Foundation, to award Loving teacher Tyler Finch the Milken Educators Award.
Finch chairs the district science department in Loving and has a unique ability to reach and motivate his students, regardless of their background, and continuously adjusts his practices to meet their diverse needs.
“This isn’t my award, this is Loving’s award,” Finch said. “From the bottom of my heart thank you this is the greatest school in the united states, and you guys just need to know that and believe that and believe you can do anything you want to do.”
“Tyler Finch represents the best of the best in our profession,” said New Mexico Public Education Secretary Kurt Steinhaus. “He inspires his students to succeed at the highest levels, and he reminds every educator in New Mexico why we joined this noble profession with its tremendous capacity to shape young lives. Thank you, Mr. Finch, for being a guiding light for all of us. You make us proud.”
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Well known in Loving as a football and track coach, Finch took advice and inspiration from coaches at Stanford and Vanderbilt Universities by creating Falcon Strong, a workout program for students that spans both the field and classroom. Football players memorize his “Falcon Strong” creed at the start of each season and it has since been adapted for the entire school.
Finch earned a bachelor’s in science in 2013 and a master’s in curriculum and instruction in 2018 from Eastern New Mexico University.
“Through his high engagement and innovative leadership in and out of the classroom, Tyler Finch is making an indelible mark on his students, colleagues and community,” said Dr. Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards and a 1994 Indiana Milken Educator.
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“His expertise and creative use of technology to reach his students, effectively examine data to develop instructional practices and leverage his talent across the district are some of the exceptional attributes that make him a Milken Educator.”
As a recipient of the Milken Award, Finch was awarded $25,000 and will travel to California to meet other recipients of he award later this year.
A history of the Milken Award
The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. The awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education. Recipients are heralded in early to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. The initiative was created by the Milken Family Foundation, which celebrates 40 years of elevating education in America and around the world. Learn more at MFF.org
Jessica Onsurez can be reached at [email protected], @JussGREAT on Twitter at by phone at 575-628-5531.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Loving teacher Tyler Finch awarded Milken Educator Award
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