Brashear physics teacher earns Milken award
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Pittsburgh Brashear High School physics teacher Steve Scoville gets congratulations as he receives a Milken Educator Award in a surprise ceremony Tuesday at the school. The award comes with a $25,000 prize. He's one of 40 educators nationwide receiving the honor. At left is retired Langley High School teacher Ed Henke, who won the award in 1997.
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If there had been an applause meter in the Pittsburgh Brashear High School gym, the needle would have hit the top when the surprise announcement naming physics teacher Steve Scoville as the recipient of the $25,000 Milken Educator Award was made.
As is Milken tradition, Mr. Scoville was as surprised as anyone Tuesday. Sitting on the gym floor in front of stands of students and wearing a shirt and tie, Mr. Scoville broke into a big smile when his name was announced and the cameras turned toward him.
He joked that his lesson plan for the day might be "slightly changed."
In an interview, he said, "I really don't think I'm that extraordinary compared to other teachers in this school.
"I'm accepting this as a prepayment for making myself a better teacher."
What matters to him is that each student leaves his class knowing more than when the student entered.
His students appreciate it.
"He's my favorite teacher by far," said Maurissa Williams, a senior. "I can't wait in the day to get to his class. He makes learning fun. ... He deserves it a whole lot. He's an amazing teacher."
Senior Nautica Buchanan said Mr. Scoville gives explanations aimed at helping each student understand, including visual examples such as running through the classroom or cartoons. Because she plays basketball, he'll use basketball as an example when he answers her question.
"I heard about him as a freshman," she said, adding that she changed her schedule to make sure she got him.
Junior Skyler Nichols said, "The way he teaches, it makes a student want to learn. I'm drawn into learning."
"He's always been there for the students," senior Cameron Rossmiller said. "He'll stay after school to help."
First Published October 5, 2011 12:00 am
