Waialua Teacher Wins $25,000 Milken Award 

Governor Neil Abercrombie, Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi, Complex Area Superintendent Patricia Park, and Waialua High and Intermediate School Principal Randiann Porras-Tang made this year’s announcement of Hawaii’s Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award. Glenn Lee was introduced as Hawaii’s 2011 Milken Award winner at an assembly attended by more than 500 students at Waialua High and Intermediate School in Waialua. The 17-year veteran of Hawaii’s public school system was also presented a $25,000 cash award from the Milken Family Foundation. 


Watch a video of the ceremony on Vimeo.com.


An accomplished electric engineer, Lee embarked on a career change to fulfill a desire to become a math and science teacher who could offer students real-world applications of what they were learning.

Lee’s pioneering efforts in building a robotics movement that ignited a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math throughout the state is a testament to his remarkable success and selfless dedication to students, educators and communities.

Committed to rigor and relevance, Lee arrived at Waialua High and Intermediate determined to learn everything he could about robotics. He fostered partnerships, wrote grants, and in 1999 launched the state’s first program in a small rural community with limited resources.

Today, the Waialua High Robotics Program serves as a model for engaging students in STEM subjects and teaching the skills necessary for graduates to succeed in college and careers. Students display a high level of responsibility by designing their own learning plan objectives, outcomes and assessments, truly living the program’s motto: “It’s not all about winning, it’s about teamwork, commitment and responsibility.”

In April 2011, Waialua High School's ‘The Hawaiian Kids’ brought home the Chairman’s Award, the top prize of the FIRST Robotics World Championship in St. Louis – capping an impressive season in which Waialua students clinched scores of national and international robotics titles.

As Complex Area Superintendent Patricia Park remarked, “(Lee’s) most compelling factor is his razor focus on developing students with a strong degree of moral and ethical values, which will sustain and support their positive values as a strong foundation throughout their lives.”

As a math teacher, Lee worked with the math department to revise course offerings and develop high expectations for all students. He partnered with the science department to build a continuum for the robotics program, including Lego League in the 7th grade elective wheel, VEX for middle and high school, and robotics at the high school level.

Over the past four years, all of Waialua High and Intermediate’s graduating valedictorians have been in the robotics program. Every student in Lee’s program has entered college, and many return each year to coach undergraduates. Lee shares his expertise with schools statewide as an active member of the Hawaii State Robotics Planning Committee, and the Hawaii State Robotics Alliance.

In addition to his robotics advocacy, Lee played a key role as a teacher leader, mentor, and classroom teacher in a restructuring school that has met Adequate Yearly Progress under No Child Left Behind for the last two years. Since the 2007 school year, 87 percent of Lee’s students have met proficiency in reading and math on the Hawaii State Assessment, and 71 percent have maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher.

“Students who work with Mr. Lee explain that he holds them to the highest of expectations,” says Randiann Porras-Tang, principal of Waialua High and Intermediate. “He prepares them for life in the real world. He never accepts excuses and is incredibly persistent in challenging them to achieve excellence.”

Lee has taught at Waialua High and Intermediate School for 17 years. He received a bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He also holds a master’s in business administration, and a post-baccalaureate certification in secondary education in mathematics from UH Manoa.

Hawaii has been part of the Milken Educator Awards since 1990-91. Including this 22nd year, 70 Hawaii educators have received awards totaling $1,750,000.

The recipients have demonstrated exemplary instructional practices, outstanding accomplishments, and long-range potential to contribute to the profession. They are inspirational leaders who are able to motivate students, colleagues, and the community.

The Milken Educator Award strives to strengthen the education profession by celebrating and rewarding outstanding educators for their achievements, expand their opportunities for professional growth, and unite them in a nationwide network aimed at reforming education through action.

In addition to the unrestricted $25,000 cash award, Lee also will be inducted into the national Milken Educator Network, dedicated to reforming and strengthening American K-12 education because, as the watchwords of the Milken Educator Awards program proclaims, The future belongs to the educated.

Conceived in 1985, the Milken Educator Awards were first presented in 1987. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $63 million to honor more than 2,500 educators, including those who will be named during the 2011-2012 school year. For more on the awards, the National Education Conference, or other Milken Family Foundation programs, call (310) 570-4774, or go to http://www.mff.org.

Photo captions:

Hawaii’s 2011 Milken Award winner Glenn Lee, Career and Technical Education teacher, Waialua High and Intermediate School.

Governor Neil Abercrombie, Glenn Lee, Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi, Complex Area Superintendent Patricia Park, and Waialua High and Intermediate Principal Randiann Porras-Tang.

December 2011 eNewsletter