Milken National Educator Awards

Amy Biasucci earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources Management from Cook College, Rutgers University. She has been in education for seven years as a teacher of Advanced Placement environmental science and marine science. During college, Amy traveled to and studied the natural resources of Alaska and Newfoundland. Through these experiences, she discovered a love of exploration and travel which she tries to instill in her students. Each summer Amy spends a month or more traveling, with the help of grants, to various countries and ecosystems so that she can improve her field research techniques and stay involved in current ecological research, both of which she brings back to the classroom. Amy's teaching philosophy is to demonstrate to students that learning is enjoyable and exciting so that when they leave her classroom, they are inspired to learn more.

Press Release

Milken National Educator Awards

Beverly Plein received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics and her Master of Arts degree in Educational Technology from Long Island University. She has spent 17 years in the classroom as a home economics teacher and more recently as a technology facilitator. Beverly creates a learning environment in which students of all abilities and ethnic backgrounds strive for excellence. Her classes have been featured on ABC News as the Grand Prize Winner in Paul Newman's "Cookin' Up a Better World" contest for their development of "Amerimix", a packaged quick bread mix that helped raise over $2,000 for the families of the victims of September 11, 2001. As a technology facilitator, she assists new and experienced teachers in planning and implementing technology-rich learning activities. Beverly Plein is a quiet leader who has had a profound impact on both her students and her colleagues.