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St. Paul, Minn.

Teacher awarded for 'furthering excellence' in English language learning program

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A teacher in north Minneapolis got a surprise honor Thursday, when she was given a national education award.

Sharon Ornelas teaches English as a Second Language at Patrick Henry High School. And, at a school assembly Thursday morning, Gov. Pawlenty gave Ornelas the unexpected news that she had won a 2007 Milken National Educator Award.

The Milken Family Foundation awards up to 80 teachers around the country each year with a $25,000 check for work "furthering excellence" in education.

Ornelas not only teaches students to speak English, but she teaches them to write in English at a college level. And, 90 percent of her students pass the Minnesota Basic Skills test.

MPR's Tom Crann asked Sharon Ornelas how the surprise announcement unfolded.