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2009 CA Milken Award Winner - Jaime Enochs
Jaime Enochs of the School of International Studies in San Diego, was selected to receive the 2009 Milken National Educator Award. Dubbed as "the Oscars of Teaching" by Teacher Magazine, the Milken Educator Awards publicly recognize K-12 teachers, principals and specialists 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. Since first presented in 1987 to a dozen California educators, the Milken Educator Awards have celebrated, elevated and activated a network of more than 2,400 educators across America, working to strengthen teacher quality and available to serve as an expert resource base for policy makers.
Jaime, along with the other 3 recipients of the Milken National Educator Award, was also recognized in the California State Assembly (on January 25) during their Floor session by Assembly Member Brownley. (picture attached)- Jaime is the closest to Assembly Member Brownley, dark hair, wearing glasses.
Jaime Enochs
School of International Studies, San Diego, CA
Teacher, English/Language, Grade 9-12, 7 years in education
Jaime is the International Baccalaureate (IB) English department chair, even though she is the youngest staff member in the department.
In 2009, 100 percent of her seniors passed the California IB English language exam. The worldwide average is 60 percent.
Due to her school-wide leadership, ninety-nine percent of tenth-grade students passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), and her school received the highest accreditation rating possible.
She attended this high school where she was a successful student in the IB program herself.
Jaime Enochs is an educator with style and substance. As International Baccalaureate (IB) English department chair-the youngest in the department- at the School of International Studies in San Diego, CA, she has developed innovative ways to navigate students through the rigors of IB curriculum. From this blend of creativity and critical thinking emerged her section on Shakespeare's Hamlet, where Enochs created a "character meter" for her students to track Hamlet's anxiety level during each act. Her artistic skills are no secret, as she decorates her classroom with elaborate charts and décor she makes herself. She also fashioned pins for her IB English seniors-bees with large eyes to symbolize "IB"-to wear for confidence and solidarity during their rigorous IB testing. Her pin turned out to be a good luck charm. Almost 100 percent of her seniors went on to pass the California IB English language exam. The worldwide average is 60 percent.
This is just one of Enochs' many strides towards academic excellence. Almost 100 percent of ninth-grade students passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), and scores are far above state averages under Enochs' direction. The principal attributes these numbers to Enochs' staff preparations as the coordinator of the school-wide testing program. Enochs' leadership also triumphed in 2008, when she was the coordinator for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) committee. Under her leadership, the School of International Studies received the highest rating possible with a six-year accreditation. This was the first time a San Diego School had received this level of accreditation in nine years. Enochs is so dedicated to her students, she called her the school's principal on the way to the hospital, ready to give birth to her first child, so that she could give her directions about the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) exams. Her unwavering commitment to the school's success is undeniable.