Among dignitaries at special assembly at Emma Donnan are, from left, Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley; Adelante Schools Executive Director Eddie Rangel; honored recipient Kendra Randle; Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner; and Dr. Rebecca Estes, Indiana Department of Education senior director of educator talent, leadership and innovation.
(MILKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION PHOTOS)
(MILKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION PHOTOS)
Stunned Kendra Randle reacts as her name is announced as the recipient of $25,000 Milken Educator Award.
Students show their excitement as principal Kendra Randle gave introductory remarks during special assembly, unknown to her that she would be the special honoree.
How much is the cash prize that accompanies the Milken Educator Award? Students hold up cards representing the amount. When Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner holds up the third zero, the excitement grows: That makes $25,000!
PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 15, 2023
Executive principal Kendra Randle went to school at Adelante School’s Emma Donnan campus on the near-Southside on Nov. 8 for a day that she will never forget.
The school day was scheduled to begin with an all-school convocation with honored speaker Katie Jenner, the Indiana Secretary of Education, who was on hand to discuss literacy.
While seated casually, Randle began to listen to the dignitaries when all of a sudden, the surprise focus was on her. In front of cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries and media, Randle was announced as Indiana’s newest recipient of The Milken Educator Award and its accompanying unrestricted cash award of $25,000.
Jenner joined Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Jane Foley from California in presenting Randle with the prestigious award bestowed by the Milken Family Foundation that honors outstanding K-12 educators for their excellence and leadership in the profession. Foley is a 1994 Milken Educator from Indiana.
“Kendra Randle is a model instructional leader,” Foley stated in front of the stunned Emma Donnan administrator/educator. “She holds high expectations for herself, her staff and her students while creating a warm, nurturing environment for everyone to grow. It is evident that Kendra has made an indelible impact on Adelante Schools, and I look forward to the contributions she will bring to our national Milken Educator Network.”
Jenner stated, “An exemplary educator and school leader, Kendra Randle is laser-focused on making data-informed decisions to move the needle for students at Emma Donnan. With a focus on science of reading to increase growth in foundational literacy and using family engagement to raise the student attendance rate, Randle is committed to ensuring that her students are in school and receiving instruction that will make a difference for them now and in the future.”
The national recognition for Randle is particularly pleasing because of the struggles that Emma Donnan School has had for several decades to establish its foundation for education on the Southside for grades K-12.
Randle is a former classroom teacher and has served in other administrative roles. Working alongside the director of literacy, Randle utilized student data for growth in student literacy for K-3 students while providing feedback for teachers.
Randle also leads “Meeting of the Minds” weekly that also recognizes achievements and brings K-6 students together constantly. She has provided teachers with direction for schoolwide growth. And she coordinates monthly family council meetings. She was selected for the yearlong Relay Graduate School of Education’s National Principal Academy Fellowship and took part in the school’s Leverage Leadership Institute.
Her interest in drama has led her to play “Nettie” in a local all-Black production of “The Color Purple.”
Randle earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Kentucky State University in 2011 and a Master of Arts in education from Union University in 2013.
Hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Education Awards will honor up to 75 recipients in 2023-24. Randle will join other honorees at the Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles in June 2024 where they will network with other educators to broaden their impact on K-12 education.
Info: MilkenEducatorAwards.org.
Executive principal Kendra Randle went to school at Adelante School’s Emma Donnan campus on the near-Southside on Nov. 8 for a day that she will never forget.
The school day was scheduled to begin with an all-school convocation with honored speaker Katie Jenner, the Indiana Secretary of Education, who was on hand to discuss literacy.
While seated casually, Randle began to listen to the dignitaries when all of a sudden, the surprise focus was on her. In front of cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries and media, Randle was announced as Indiana’s newest recipient of The Milken Educator Award and its accompanying unrestricted cash award of $25,000.
Jenner joined Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Jane Foley from California in presenting Randle with the prestigious award bestowed by the Milken Family Foundation that honors outstanding K-12 educators for their excellence and leadership in the profession. Foley is a 1994 Milken Educator from Indiana.
“Kendra Randle is a model instructional leader,” Foley stated in front of the stunned Emma Donnan administrator/educator. “She holds high expectations for herself, her staff and her students while creating a warm, nurturing environment for everyone to grow. It is evident that Kendra has made an indelible impact on Adelante Schools, and I look forward to the contributions she will bring to our national Milken Educator Network.”
Jenner stated, “An exemplary educator and school leader, Kendra Randle is laser-focused on making data-informed decisions to move the needle for students at Emma Donnan. With a focus on science of reading to increase growth in foundational literacy and using family engagement to raise the student attendance rate, Randle is committed to ensuring that her students are in school and receiving instruction that will make a difference for them now and in the future.”
The national recognition for Randle is particularly pleasing because of the struggles that Emma Donnan School has had for several decades to establish its foundation for education on the Southside for grades K-12.
Randle is a former classroom teacher and has served in other administrative roles. Working alongside the director of literacy, Randle utilized student data for growth in student literacy for K-3 students while providing feedback for teachers.
Randle also leads “Meeting of the Minds” weekly that also recognizes achievements and brings K-6 students together constantly. She has provided teachers with direction for schoolwide growth. And she coordinates monthly family council meetings. She was selected for the yearlong Relay Graduate School of Education’s National Principal Academy Fellowship and took part in the school’s Leverage Leadership Institute.
Her interest in drama has led her to play “Nettie” in a local all-Black production of “The Color Purple.”
Randle earned a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Kentucky State University in 2011 and a Master of Arts in education from Union University in 2013.
Hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Education Awards will honor up to 75 recipients in 2023-24. Randle will join other honorees at the Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles in June 2024 where they will network with other educators to broaden their impact on K-12 education.
Info: MilkenEducatorAwards.org.
RSS Feed