Second Missouri teacher receives $25,000 Milken educator award

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- A southwest Missouri principal has received one of the top teaching awards in the nation. He is the second educator in the state to do so.

Bolivar Middle School principal Kevin Lowery was given the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award on Friday and a $25,000 check that goes with it.

"I have no idea what to say," said Lowery, who was presented with the award at the end of an annual Veterans Day ceremony at the school he has led for eight years. "God has blessed me beyond belief."

Lowery previously taught ninth-grade English at Lebanon Junior High, and held administrative positions in the Bucklin and Francis Howell school districts.

From 1999 to 2002, Bolivar Middle School consistently made a Top 10 list for high performance on state exams among schools of similar size. Last year, the school was recognized as one of the state's most improved schools based on the exams.

Social studies and English teacher Paula Davis said she's seen a lot of positive changes since Lowery became principal.

"He brought purpose and vision to the school," said Davis. "He asked us to focus on the three A's: attitude, attendance and achievement."

Lowery said the most important quality in being a good principal is love for kids.

"There's no getting around it," he said. "You have to accept them for what they are, especially at this age. If you can do all that, the rest is downhill."

High school language arts teacher Andy Gensler was given the award last week. He teaches for the Rockwood School District in suburban St. Louis.

Since 1987, the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award has awarded more than $54 million to 2,100 educators. More than 100 people will be honored this year.

---

Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com