SACO — Saco Middle School science teacher Michaela Lamarre went to the school gymnasium Thursday morning thinking she was attending an assembly on recognizing work with restorative practices. Imagine her surprise when she found out in front of faculty, students, local and state dignitaries and other VIPs that she had received the prestigious national Milken Educator Award and $25,000.

The Milken Educator Awards were established by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. The award is given to as many as 40 recipients across the country. Lamarre was the only teacher in Maine to receive the award this year.

“This is the Oscars of education,” said Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards, who traveled from California to present the prize. Foley told students that the foundation travels all over the United States, knows of thousands of good teachers and has concluded that “one of the best educators in the country is here in your school.”

Lamarre, who is in her 12th year of teaching, teaches eighth-grade science. She was recognized for her work with STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – initiatives. According to a press release from the Maine Department of Education, Lamarre is technologically savvy and researches the most engaging approaches to teaching. Lamarre was one of a group of teachers who organized an after-school learning opportunity for students to attend a remote-operated underwater vehicle demonstration that inspired students to successfully build their own robots.

“I want my students to think and act like scientists, so that way when they go out into the world, they know how to make informed decisions and have the best life possible,” said Lamarre.

Lamarre was genuinely surprised. She thanked the staff at Saco Middle School and said she couldn’t have accomplished what she was doing without their support.

“They are the most wonderful students in the entire world and I love every single one of them,” she said, when asked about the students at Saco Middle School.

Student Kristina Arabatzis said she wasn’t surprised to hear that Lamarre had received the award.

“She’s one of the best teachers here,” she said. “She always puts a smile on your face.”

­— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.