Local educators surprised with national award

Neither Beverly Mathis nor Norita Espinosa know how they came to be honored at the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards June 26.

Although they received notice of their award, and $25,000 checks, last October, neither of them knows if they were nominated and if so, by whom. Approximately 153 other educators from 43 states probably shared their wonderment.

"It's very confidential, very secretive," said Espinosa, a counselor at Bracken Elementary School in North Las Vegas. "I've been told once you've been under consideration for the award, and you find out you're under consideration, your name is pulled. I had no clue somebody was watching me doing my job."

"I have no clue. I don't know because everything I see that's been done in and around me, I didn't get there by myself," said Mathis, principal at Booker Elementary School, also in North Las Vegas. "They're giving us money, and what did we do that was so fantastic? I have a wonderful staff and a great group of people."

Although it's a mystery to them, Mathis and Espinosa are happy with the conference that accompanied the awards. Guest speakers such as the Rev. Rosey Greer, former baseball manager Tommy Lasorda, TV personality Art Linkletter and Florida Gov. Jed Bush inspired the educators to find ways to keep teachers and cultivate new ones.

Mathis said the awards ceremony in Los Angeles "reminded me of the Oscars."

The four Nevada honorees -- split evenly between north and south -- decided to use the knowledge of past Milken Award winners. The group plans to meet with the past winners -- including Shirley Barber, school board trustee; and Michael Kinnaird, principal of Advanced Technologies Academy -- during the first week in October, Mathis said.

"We need to pull all our 55 people together, and at least look eye to eye and talk about conditions in Nevada. That's just the beginning," Mathis said. "I don't lose a lot of teachers out of my building. I know in Clark County that we do. If it's a concern in one area, it's a concern in the whole area."

The feeling of belonging to an elite group of highly respected educators was one of the highlights of the conference for both women.

"Being in that room, and knowing everyone in that room cared about the educational welfare of children, was quite an experience," Mathis said.

"It really does inspire me to go out and touch the lives of other people and share with them how important education really is," said Espinosa, who served as a teacher at Cashman Middle School for 11 years before coming to Bracken.

The women also said they wouldn't be where they were if it weren't for the students.

"I love being in the classroom, and that's where I am most of the time," said Mathis, who has been at Booker six out of 25 years with the school district. "I think good teachers make good administrators."

"I kind of see our role as a cheerleader. Don't let the kids fall through the cracks. It's so important we keep those kids on track," Espinosa said. "If we don't spark that interest ... we're going to lose them."

Every night, Espinosa comes home with stains on her back from being hugged by students during lunchtime. Instead of complaining, she started wearing more durable clothing.

"I still go home with the mustard and ketchup on my back, so I think they love me, too," Espinosa said. "I definitely don't wear the dry cleanable outfits to work as much as I used to."

Both women were notified of their award when Gov. Kenny Guinn decided to make a special "visit" to each of the schools. Mathis and Espinosa were shocked when their names were called.

"I was trying not to cry, because if I cried, I didn't think I could regain my composure," Espinosa said. "It's such an honor. I still get goosebumps."

The women are also planning on using their $25,000 awards for educational purposes. Mathis plans on attending classes to earn her doctorate this fall. Espinosa will place a bulk of the award money into a college fund for her sons, ages 9 and 11.

Mathis and Espinosa share a love for their profession that, as Mathis said her mother used to say, is insurance they will never have a work a day in their lives.

"I can't think of a better thing to do," Mathis said. "I love it. I want everyone to do it."