Osbourn Park Principal Receives $25,000 Milken Award

Osbourn Park High School Principal Neil A. Beech was under the impression the school-wide assembly he helped organize was to honor the school for its academic excellence. But when Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright introduced Milken Family Senior Vice President Jane Foley, he knew there was a surprise in store.

“I am aware of the Milken Organization and their work with educators and promoting the good work teachers do,” Beech said.

Beech was unaware he was the recipient of the $25,000 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

“This award came as a surprise because I was unaware I was in discussion for such a distinction, but I am humbled to be a recipient of this honor,” he said.

State senator George L. Barker, Coles supervisor Martin E. Nohe, Prince William County School Superintendent Dr. Steven L. Walts, school board members, and previous Milken recipients were all present at the the surprise assembly to see Beech receive the award.

The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards are designed to recognize and reward elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and administrators who promote excellence and innovation in public education.

“It is a great recognition, but most importantly it shows the great work of our students and staff. Without their tireless effort, this award would not be possible,” Beech said.

Students at the local high school see Beech as a derserving recipient of the honor.

"Beech is in individual who makes an effort to interact with all of the students," said Osbourn Park Senior Conner Murray. "By making an effort to address their concerns, he creates a good learning environment for the school."

Beech is the 37th Virginia educator to be recognized with the award since 1999. Beech becomes the fifth educator from Prince William County to win the award.“This distinction says a lot about the professionalism and quality of education in the county,” Beech added.

“Neil Beech is an instructional leader who brings out the best in his students and teachers,” Wright said. “He is a pioneer in the areas of virtual instruction and teacher training; he has left his mark on every school where he has taught or led.”

School officials reported Beech developed Prince William County’s first virtual earth science course, including curriculum, assessments and lesson plans. Under his leadership, Advanced Placement participation at Osbourn Park has increased significantly, as has the English and mathematics achievements of students with disabilities.

Beech first joined Prince William Public Schools as a biology teacher at Brentsville High School in 2001. While there, he received the school’s division’s Outstanding Performance Award in 2005.

Beech went on to become the assistant principal at Osbourn Park in 2007. After the promotion of then-principal Timothy Healey, Beech was named principal of Osbourn Park in 2010.

Beech, a native of Great Britain, came to the United States as a Visiting International Fellow. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Sheffield Hallam University in England, a master’s in secondary science from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania and completed a master’s in administration and supervision at George Mason University, according to state education officials.

Educators are selected for the prestigious award without their knowledge.

Through a state panel, recipients of the awards are selected on the basis of multiple criteria related to instructional practice, student achievement, accomplishments outside the classroom and leadership, according to state officials.

The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards were established in 1985. The awards program is the largest of its kind in the country. Since the inception of the program, the Milken Family Foundation has distributed more than $63 million in awards to more than 2,500 educators in 48 states and the District of Columbia.