Concordia University, St. Paul graduate student and Wayzata West Middle School teacher Seth Brown on Monday was awarded a $25,000 teaching excellence award.  The Milken Educator Award is a national honor given to top teachers by the Milken Family Foundation.  Brown, who teaches math, is the only Minnesota educator to receive the award this year.  He is currently attending Concordia and working on his master’s degree in Educational Leadership. 

Brown’s recognition comes as a result of his innovative classroom techniques and ability to connect with students.  He imposed a standing classroom this year to channel the energy of his students.  Last year, Brown took advantage of a middle school grant and his students began using iPads to connect technology with their lessons.  He is an instructor who guides his students through their lessons with a real-world approach at problem solving and a personal interest in each youngster’s individual needs.

Brown can use his $25,000 award however he wishes.  He intends to put a portion of it toward his current degree program at Concordia and part of toward the Parent Teacher Association, which helped support the school’s iPad project.