Pasadena Teacher Surprised With Prestigious Award

Honoree says he will use a portion of the award money to take students on a leadership trip

A crowd of unsuspecting students and staff at John Muir High School erupted into applause Tuesday during a special assembly when one of their own was awarded the prestigious Milken Award.

The popular social studies teacher Manuel Rustin was honored with the award, considered the "Oscar of teaching."

"I really don’t know what to say. I mean, this was the furthest thing from my mind," he told the crowd. "The award itself is an honor, but the greatest honor is being part of the Mustang family."

Rustin was one of 40 teachers nationwide who received the award, which includes $25,000. He said he will be giving a portion of that money back to the school by taking students on a leadership trip.

John Muir High School has undergone major restructuring recently due to low academic performance, an initiative in which Rustin has played a key role.

"He sees the potential in us, and he sees that we can do more than what’s expected," one student said.

Rustin, who has spent half of his eight-year teaching career at Muir, has set up after-school camps to help students improve their grades, is the lead instructor in the Arts, Entertainment and Media academy, and is in charge of the leadership group.

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Administrators said he has been able to connect with students and inspire them to learn.

"He encourages us to do our best and go above and beyond," another student said.

The Milken award was created in 1987 to recognize those who play a key role in students’ success.

Manuel "is the essence of that: a strong instructional leader, a mentor to other teachers, invested in this community," said Lowell Milken, co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation, which has given away more than $137 million over the years. "You couldn’t ask for more."
 

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