JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The entire Jerry Meyer arena was filled with cheering and applause when the surprising announcement was made that High School Principal Adam Gehlhar was a recipient of the prestigious Milken award.

Students, faculty, and staff were joined by state delegates including Senators Grabinger and Satrom. State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler was also present for the event.

Created by the Milken Family Foundation, the award is given to 45 educators nationwide to recognize teaching excellence publicly not only to inspire educators, but students and entire communities about the importance of joining the teaching profession.

Dr. Jane Foley addressed the assembly and referred to the Milken Award as “the Oscars of teaching.”

When it was announced that Gehlhar had received the award, he immediately thanked the staff and students that made the Jamestown schools and community a great place to be.

Gehlhar told NewsDakota.com that he had no idea he was being selected for the award.

Established in 1987. Fifty-three educators, including Gehlhar, have received Milken awards since North Dakota joined the program in 1992.

Before Gehlhar, the most recent honoree was Barry Olson, a science teacher at Fargo’s Ben Franklin Middle School, who won the award in 2009. Olson was one of a group of North Dakota Milken award winners who attended Tuesday’s ceremony.

Gehlhar also received a $25,000 prize, which he can use how he sees fit. Gehlhar is in his second year serving as the Jamestown High School principal. The Foundation says his work with instructional practices, including research-based instructional strategies, site-based leadership teams and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support led to his selection as a recipient.

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