ANSONIA – In a surprise visit today at a school assembly, Ansonia High School teacher Laura Baker-Coronis was presented with a 2022 Milken Educator Award and the $25,000 prize that comes with it.
Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Senior Vice President of Milken Educator Awards Jane Foley, and other officials were on hand to witness the exciting presentation, along with students and other community members.
“Teaching is a noble profession; it takes great skill, ability, and perseverance. I am delighted that one of Connecticut’s educators is receiving this prestigious recognition,” said Commissioner Russell-Tucker. “The Milken Educator Award brings much-deserved focus to our excellent educators in Connecticut. I congratulate Ms. Baker-Coronis on receiving this award and thank her for her dedication to the students of Ansonia and innovative practices in the classroom.”
“Teachers do more than teach our children, they are active parts of students’ lives and offer extra levels of support and guidance both in and outside of the classroom,” said Lt. Governor Bysiewicz. “Teaching is a selfless act, and teachers deserve our appreciation and recognition not only a few times throughout the year, but every day. I want to congratulate Ms. Baker-Coronis for her hard work and dedication to serving our state’s younger generation.”
“Extraordinary educators engage their students through creativity and leadership, and Laura Baker-Coronis exemplifies this in her classroom each day,” said Dr. Foley, who is herself a 1994 Indiana Milken Educator. “Laura makes learning tangible and exciting while equipping her students with problem-solving and communication skills that will be essential throughout their lives. I am proud to celebrate Laura today and look forward to her contributions to the national Milken Educator Network.”
Laura Baker-Coronis is being honored for her strong ability to create learning environments that connect math to the real world. Her ninth-graders at Ansonia High School use algebra to design their dream cars, compare cell phone plans based on data usage, and figure out which careers provide the most income. In the Cereal Box Challenge, a highlight of Baker-Coronis’ geometry classes, students design boxes to hold specified volumes, with constraints like production costs, graphics, and having to fit multiple boxes into specified shipping cartons.
At Ansonia Public Schools, Baker-Coronis is a respected leader who challenges colleagues to think creatively to support students. She leads the math department, analyzing data with colleagues to identify student weaknesses and develop strategies to overcome them. As freshman team lead, Baker-Coronis facilitates collaboration among teachers to address students’ behavioral, social-emotional, and academic needs.
Oprah, a longtime education advocate, shared her congratulations to this year’s winners in a video message thanking “the most incredible educators around the country” and acknowledging her deep appreciation for the “tireless work” they do.
More About Laura Baker-Coronis
Innovation: Every activity in Baker-Coronis’ classes centers around student discourse, peer review and teamwork. With the use of real-world applications of math, she has a gift for creating engaging environments, like allowing her students to use algebra to design their dream cars, comparing cell phone plans based on data usage and figuring out which careers provide the most income. In the Cereal Box Challenge, a highlight of Baker-Coronis’ geometry classes, students design boxes to hold quantified volumes with constraints like production costs, graphics and having to fit multiple boxes into specified shipping cartons. Through an emphasis on socialization, open communication and mutual respect, Baker-Coronis’ students are determined to succeed — for themselves and for their teacher.
Leadership: As a respected leader who challenges colleagues to think creatively to support students, Baker-Coronis assists others in analyzing data to identify students’ areas of need and develops strategies to address them. As the freshman math team lead, she facilitates collaboration among teachers, has led professional development on vertical alignment from middle to high school and has worked on district committees for curriculum development and SRBI (Scientific Researched-Based Interventions). During the pandemic, Baker-Coronis trained colleagues in Google Classroom and helped revamp the curriculum to help students hit priority standards despite the challenges of remote instruction.
Creativity: When the middle school lost a math teacher and students missed a lot of instruction, Baker-Coronis created and volunteered to teach extended geometry classes to make sure they caught up in ninth grade. She also created a “problem bank” with thousands of sample problems for all teachers to use in their instruction in an effort to raise Ansonia High School’s SAT scores across the board. She helped create the Freshman Academy to help students transition to high school, has organized virtual award ceremonies and advises the Student Ambassador Club, where students raise money for local organizations, including an animal shelter and center for victims of domestic abuse.
Education: Baker-Coronis earned a bachelor’s in mathematics in 2011 and a master’s in education in 2015 from Southern Connecticut State University.
About the Milken Educator Awards
The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. The awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education. Recipients are heralded in early to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. The initiative was created by the Milken Family Foundation, which celebrates 40 years of elevating education in America and around the world. Learn more at MFF.org
The information in this post is from a Department of Education press release and a press release from the Milken Family Foundation.
