COURTESY PHOTO
The Milken Awards honor outstanding educators. Lilliann Noda, far left, personnel administrator for the state Department of Education, stood with this year's Hawaii winners Saturday at a ceremony in Los Angeles. The recipients are, from left, Georgia Goeas of Konawaena Middle School, Robin Kitsu of Nanakuli High and Herman Leong of Radford High.
Three Hawaii teachers received $25,000 each Saturday at the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards in Los Angeles. 3 Hawaii teachers
earn Milken awardThey received $25,000 each at
a Los Angeles ceremonyStar-Bulletin staff
Georgia Goeas of Konawaena Middle School in Kealakekua, Robin Kitsu of Nanakuli High School, and Herman Leong of Radford High School in Honolulu were among 120 educators honored at the ceremony.
Goeas, an eighth-grade English teacher, has been one of the state's top advocates for middle-level education and was instrumental in getting the seventh and eighth grades separated from the high school at Konawaena.
Kitsu, also an English teacher, introduces at-risk students to various forms of media, including journalism, multimedia, drama and video production.
Through his Drama Learning Center, he has produced more than 40 musical and dramatic performances, and his students' video news programs and newspaper have garnered prizes.
Leong, math teacher and department chairman, restructured the math curriculum at Radford, moving toward a standards-based model that has resulted in improved student achievement.
The Milken Awards honor outstanding educators for their achievements and expand their opportunities for professional growth.
