Brawerman Elementary School Technology Specialist Adrienne Coffield has been honored with the prestigious Milken Family Foundation Jewish Educator Award. 

As Director of Academic Technology at Brawerman, Adrienne Coffield guides faculty and students in exploring both the past by utilizing technology to explore the immigrant experience on New York’s Lower East Side—and the future by designing an engineering space for budding robotics enthusiasts. Coffield’s influence as an educator extends far beyond her own campus; she played a lead role in the development of a consortium linking more than 300 technology teachers.

Adrienne has been​ inspiring Brawerman's students for ​ten years bringing impactful innovation to the technology lab learning experience. We are filled with gratitude for​ ​Adrienne's contributions to the Brawerman and Wilshire Boulevard Temple community, and we proudly honor the deserved recognition she received. She is the third Brawerman teacher to receive the Milken honor, joining teacher Lee Tenerowicz, who received the Award in 2007 and 2014 Jewish Educator Award winner Barry Schapira.  

The Jewish Educator Awards initiative was established by the Milken Family Foundation, in cooperation with BJE: Builders of Jewish Education, to provide public recognition and unrestricted $15,000 cash awards to teachers, administrators and other education professionals in the Greater Los Angeles area who have made significant contributions to excellence in BJE-affiliated day schools. 

Award recipients are selected by a committee of educators, professional and lay leaders from the Jewish community, according to the following criteria: 
 

• Exceptional educational talent and promise, as demonstrated by outstanding practices in the classroom, school and community.


• Evidence of originality, dedication and capacity for leadership and self-direction.


• Commitment to influencing policies that affect children, their families and schools.


• Strong long-range potential for even greater contribution to children, the profession and society.


• Distinguished achievement in developing innovative educational curricula, programs and/or teaching methods.


• Outstanding ability to instill in students character and self-confidence.


• Outstanding ability to develop Jewish children’s understanding of the connections between their religion, their classroom activities, and their activities beyond the classroom.


• Commitment to professional development and excellence and the continuing Judaic and/or secular study necessary for it.


• Personal involvement in responding to the needs of the Jewish and secular communities.


• Criteria for administrators also include outstanding ability to attract, support and motivate committed education professionals.

Photos: Milken Family Foundation