A teacher in a small school district in southern Iowa is one of 44 teachers nationwide to receive a Milken Educator Award this year. It’s her job to train other teachers.
Joni Readout is an instructional coach at Central Decatur middle school and high school in Leon. She works with about 15 other district teachers to help improve their classroom work. Her efforts were noticed by the Milken Family Foundation, which honors teacher excellence each year.
“I bring optimism and a positive attitude to work with me every single day," she says. "I greet students, I challenge students, I have very high expectations for them, and they respect and know that.”
Readout received the news Wednesday during an assembly. She says it’s quite an honor for a small school district in rural Iowa.
“We have excellent things happening here at Central Decatur and it’s great to have the recognition for our school, for our students, for our community,” she says.
Readout says she hasn’t had time to think about what she’ll do with the $25,000 that comes with the award. She says her students have already suggested a giant pizza party.