Awards recognize educators’ time and dedication

Kristle and Kerese Millen are educators who created the Millen Twins Educator Awards to recognize those who dedicate their time to educate others and positively impact students’ lives. Photo provided by Felicia Apprey
Kristle and Kerese Millen are educators who created the Millen Twins Educator Awards to recognize those who dedicate their time to educate others and positively impact students’ lives. Photo provided by Felicia Apprey

 Awards recognize educators’ time and dedication

By Tia Carol Jones
Kristle and Kerese Millen are known as the Millen Twins. They are philanthropist, public speakers, radio personalities and educators. Both hold degrees in curriculum and instruction. They developed the Millen Twin Educator Awards in 2019 to recognize those who dedicate their time to educate others.

The Millen Twins Educator Awards ceremony will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Beverly Arts Center, located at 2407 W. 111th St.

The Millens currently are in a preschool laboratory at the City Colleges of Chicago, where they teach preschool age children. Students who are also majoring in child development are in the laboratory and the Millens supervise those students, as well as lead and guide them into their educational career.

Kristle and Kerese knew educators could be burned out after being in the field of education close to 14 years themselves.   They wanted to do something to push themselves and their peers. They decided to have an awards ceremony so educators could come together, be motivated, celebrate and acknowledge each other.

“We want them to have that feeling that people are supporting them. We want them to keep pushing and keep going and to let them know they are impacting students’ lives,” Kerese said.

The Millens remember a time when they were in class together as students and a teacher referred to Kerese as the “stupid twin.” It stuck with her, and the experience traumatized her. It made Kristle and Kerese realize there are educators out there who don’t care for students. They wanted to recognize educators who are impacting students’ lives positively.

Kerese has seen the relationship between educators and parents make a positive impact. When parents are involved in the students’ lives, it makes the teachers’ lives a little easier, and it creates a home-school connection. It also gives the students a positive educational journey.

This year’s MTE Awards will benefit Autism Research. Kristle has noticed there have been more students diagnosed with Autism. The spectrum is so wide with the range of conditions being different for each individual. In supporting Autism research, the Millens want to find out what they can do as far as instruction and child development to help the children and their parents.

Since its first year, the MTE Awards has recognized 20 educators. This year, 27 educators will be recognized.

Last year when COVID-19 first hit, the Millens had to conduct instruction for the preschool aged children that they taught through Zoom.  It was a challenge. They had to return to school and then that caught COVID-19.

“We were already afraid, wearing mask and gloves and doing our best the whole year we were at home to keep safe. But, as soon as they made us go back to work, we caught it,” Kristle said.

It was a challenge for them to care for the kids, worry about themselves and going back home and potentially spreading the virus.

Kerese had to build up a relationship even more to get the parents and students to embrace  remote learning. The families had varying resources and the Millens had to go to the administrators to advocate for families to provide necessary resources like computers. They also informed the parents regularly about food giveaways.

When it comes to how we can move forward during COVID-19, the Millens want the administrators to listen to the educators, take what they say into consideration, and help them solve the problem.

“We’ve done so many different things, and in everything we do, we want to make giving contagious,” Kristle said.
For more information, visit www.millentwins.com.

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