By Maryann MolishusMaryann Molishus is a STAR member of the Discovery Educator Network.

I want to send out a great big THANK YOU to all of the DEN members who have extended congratulations and best wishes to me on being awarded the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.  It was quite an amazing week!  The students at my school now think I am the “rich teacher.”  I received so many wonderful notes and phone calls from family, friends, colleagues, and students that have truly made me feel that I am “rich.”

It is quite an interesting way in which the Milken Foundation searches for candidates for their award.  One thing they are looking for in educators is their contributions outside the classroom.  They are also looking for future potential for success.  I think that being involved in such organizations as the Discovery Educator Network has played a role in my development as an educator and as a life-long learner.  Although I already know the value of our network, I have been seeing more and more that the value of this network and similar organizations  is changing.  The people who are involved with one another are not only sharing professionally, but also making personal, caring connections with many amazing people who they would not otherwise have met or stayed in touch with.  I found that to be true when I received the many emails, Twitter and Plurk messages, and blog posts and responses form all of you, some I have met and know, and others I might only know as a screen name.  But all were kind, excited for me, excited for us as we celebrate what we all do!

I know we will continue to celebrate the future successes of so many outstanding individuals who are connected through DEN.