A teacher in Ellsworth was surprised Wednesday morning when she received a $25,000 award for her accomplishments in the classroom.
Meghan Stubbs, a career and technical education teacher at Hancock County Technical Center, was given the Milken Educator Award by the Milken Family Foundation. The award honors outstanding educators across the country for their innovation, achievements and exemplary leadership, according to foundation officials.
Stubbs, the only Maine teacher to win the award this year, is the first teacher in Ellsworth to win the award since it was created in 1987. She may use the winning however she wants.
Stubbs teaches early childhood education, and emphasizes the importance of civic involvement in her courses. She organizes field trips to the state capital where her students advocate for early childhood education and positive changes in childcare practices.
She also established the “Caterpillar Clubhouse,” an on-site, part-time childcare center at the technical center. In the program, students have the unique opportunity to mentor 3- and 4-year-olds under Stubbs’ guidance. The teacher also collaborates with the local elementary school and YMCA, so her students can get additional hands-on experience across different age groups. Most of her students go on to earn their Certified Early Childhood Assistant certification each year, according to foundation officials.
