Linda Alston, a Denver kindergarten teacher, has won the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award, a prestigious award that comes with a $100,000 prize. Alston’s classroom is equipped with cool-to-the-touch stones, a miniature Jeep, and delicate teacups, all of which contribute to an exceptional learning environment. The award, named after its donors, Nancy and Rich Kinder, is said to be the largest unrestricted award ever given to a precollegiate teacher in the United States. It was limited to full-time classroom teachers in schools where at least 50 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced-priced school meals.
Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings made the announcement, highlighting that 90 percent of the students at Fairview Elementary School, where Alston teaches, come from low-income families. Alston accepted the award at a press conference, referencing a quote from Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., stating that she strives to do her job so well that nobody could do it better.
Alston, who has been teaching kindergarten for 25 years, was selected from 400 nominated teachers. The award was established by the Kinders, along with the Knowledge Is Power Program foundation, which supports charter schools. Teachers employed by a KIPP school were not eligible for the award. Rich Kinder, the chairman and CEO of Kinder Morgan Inc., expressed the belief that teachers in high-needs communities make the most significant impact in education and often go unrecognized and undercompensated. The Kinders are considering whether to make the award an annual occurrence.
Alston, a certified Montessori teacher, incorporates the teachings of the Italian pediatrician into her classroom. The stones, toy car, and teacups are used as educational tools for mathematics, phonics, and sequencing skills. Alston emphasizes the importance of creating a beautiful, orderly, and dignified learning environment. She believes in drawing from the best practices available to enhance her teaching methods.
Aside from Alston, there were ten other finalists for the award, including teachers from schools in Alabama, Maryland, Arkansas, North Carolina, Arizona, New York, Texas, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
Overall, Linda Alston’s dedication to her students and unique teaching methods have earned her exceptional recognition in the form of the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award.
She mentioned that the teacher was exceptional at establishing connections with parents within a community that is culturally diverse. "The parents are able to learn along with their children," Ms. Bash expressed. Ms. Alston disclosed that she has a few plans for utilizing the $100,000 prize. One of her intentions is to visit Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, a popular vacation spot located off Cape Cod, and also attend a concert by the renowned singer Carly Simon. Additionally, after years of collecting beautiful items for her kindergarten, she desires something fresh for her flower garden: orange geraniums. "They can be quite expensive," she acknowledged, while also mentioning the possibility of acquiring new cups for the classroom’s tea service.
