Carssow presented with national award, $25,000 prize

By Marcial Guajardo
Managing Editor

A Connally High School teacher on Tuesday became the first recipient from Texas to receive a nationally recognized educator award this year.

Kristina Carssow, who unhappy with her job set about to become a teacher about a decade ago, received the Milken Educator Award and its $25,000 prize in a ceremony Tuesday morning at the Connally gym. Since 2000, only 43 teachers from Texas have been honored with the award.

Businessman and philanthropist Lowell Milken was on-hand at Connally amid a raucous atmosphere to present the award.

“I come to this outstanding school to present a Milken Educator Award to a teacher that is representative of the many, many fine teachers in this school, in this district and throughout the state,” Milken said. “A teacher that is characterized by intelligence, compassion and commitment.”

The Milken Family Foundation teacher recognition program provides the funding – which may be spent however the recipients would like – to educators for their proven success in the classroom, their contributions to education and their potential for professional and policy leadership.

Educators are considered without their knowledge by a blue-ribbon panel  appointed by each participating state’s department of education. Final selections are made by the Milken Family Foundation.

“Kristina has been very successful in her instructional abilities,” said Milken. “Her kids achieve at high levels. What is also particularly distinguishing about Kristina is she is a very powerful mentor. She’s able to enhance the skills and knowledge of other teachers, which has a greater impact. The third thing is she cares very much about the kids and she’s very invested in this community.”

Not only are educators considered for the award without their knowledge, they aren’t told in advance about the recognition ceremony. Carssow said she found out she had been selected while sitting in the gym bleachers as the ceremony took place.

“I’m really shocked. I’m still a little nervous and shaky,” Carssow said shortly after the event ended. “It goes to so many people. It goes back to my husband, who, when I wasn’t happy in my previous position, he supported me when I went back to school to be a teacher. Without him I couldn’t do this. I just couldn’t.”

Carssow also thanked her students, educators she has worked directly with, the Connally staff and Principal Daniel Garcia.

A 1999 graduate of Texas A&M with a bachelor’s in agricultural journalism, Carssow received her teaching certification in 2003. The couple moved to the Austin area to be closer to family and she began teaching at Connally.

Carssow was a classroom teacher and lead teacher for Connally’s Freshman Cornerstone Academy before becoming a master teacher for TAP: The System for Teacher and Student Achievement, established by Milken in 1999. The program was set up with the vision of attracting, developing and retaining quality teachers for American schools.

Through TAP, Carssow mentors other classroom teachers, works to identify school goals and established TAP policies for ninth- and tenth-grade teachers, in relation to grading, classroom management and student relationships.

She’s also helped write and annual revise Pflugerville ISD’s curriculum guide, prepares after-school tutoring labs for freshmen and created campus committees and an improvement plan.

“She’s not disappointed,” Garcia said of Carssow. “She’s just continued to blossom as a teacher and a campus leader. With the students, [she’s] outstanding – she’s able to connect. She just does a great job. We’re glad to have her here.”

Carssow becomes the second Connally instructor to win the Milken Educator Award. In 2000, social studies chair Joe Kieke, now a University of Texas professor, received the award. Kieke was in attendance during the award ceremony.

“It’s like having two all pro defensive backs coming from the same school,” said Garcia. “We have two blue chippers. It’s awesome for us to be recognized for that …. Couldn’t be prouder.”

Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott was on-hand for the award presentation, as was state Rep. Mark Strama, Pflugerville ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre and PISD board members.

“I think Mrs. Carssow is representative of all the outstanding teachers at Connally High School,” Dupre said. “Connally is known for outstanding academic programs. You have national merit finalists every year, you’ve got students at Harvard and Yale and yet you also perform well and win state competitions in the fine arts, in athletics, for college and career technology programming …. Connally is a school where everything is going very well. And I’m really proud of all the teachers here.”

Board Trustee Vernagene Mott noted Connally has faced challenges and seen the implementation of new programs in recent years.

“We know that at PISD, we have outstanding teachers and outstanding students,” Mott said. “But with all the challenges that education faces … having that sensational teacher in the classroom is the most important thing.

“It’s certainly a star in our crown to have a teacher here at Connally recognized. It is very rewarding to see some of these programs are paying off for these teachers and most importantly for these students.”

Milken closed Tuesday’s ceremony with a word for the students in attendance.

“Think about becoming a teacher. Think about how one teacher can positively impact thousands of young people,” he said.