teacher Allie Gallas was surprised with the award during an assembly on March 4.
Nevada Department of Education photo
The daughter of two Douglas County teachers was recognized with a $25,000 Milken Family Foundation award last month, according to the Nevada Department of Education.
Jessie Beck Elementary fourth-grade teacher Allie Gallas was surprised with the award during an assembly on March 4.
Gallas is the daughter of Andy and Corby Hughes and is a Gardnerville native, graduating from Douglas High School in 2008, where she competed in basketball and volleyball.
Gallas is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, and has taught in Washoe County for more than a decade.
Last school year, she was recognized by district leadership for having the largest number of English language learner students in her classroom who showed exceptional growth on the WIDA ACCESS assessment.Â
Galas’ students also made remarkable gains last school year in English language arts and mathematics on the Smarter Balanced assessments.
“Galas is known for her ability to build relationships with students, her engaging and highly effective instruction, her respectful and calm demeanor, and her openness to seeking feedback and trying new things outside of her comfort zone to grow professionally as an educator,” according to the state.
During math instruction, Galas uses the Circle, Underline, Box, Evaluate, Solve strategy. Her students lead their peers by working through math problems step-by-step. Â
Galas also uses student-led conferences, regularly has classroom meetings, and uses restorative circles to build relationships within her classroom and her students work to solve problems that may arise. Â Â
Galas is a member of the Restorative Practices Cohort for the Washoe County School District and Jessie Beck Elementary School.
The Milken Educator Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of Teaching,” celebrate outstanding kindergarten through 12th grade teachers, principals, and specialists.
“I would like to congratulate Allie Galas on this well-deserved recognition,” said then Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert. “In her classroom, students take ownership of their learning and Allie’s creative, engaging, hands-on lessons inspire curiosity and excitement. Her students have made remarkable academic growth, and Allie is truly a leader among her peers.”
Galas was joined at the ceremony by Gov. Joe Lombardo’s Education Policy Advisor Isabel Graf, Washoe County Schools Superintendent Joe Ernst and Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley.