LANSING, Mich. -- Matthew Reid, a teacher at Wenona Center in Bay City Public Schools, received the news Tuesday of a $25,000 cash award during a visit to the school from Jane Foley, Milken Family Foundation Senior Vice President.

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan and members of the State Board of Education were also on hand when the award was presented as part of the Milken Family Foundation’s National Educator Awards Program.

“Matt Reid is an outstanding teacher,” said Flanagan. “He is a champion for his students [and] his ability to work with at-risk students provides a safe harbor for each of them.”

Gov. Jennifer Granholm also sent a congratulatory message, which stated: “I am honored to recognize Matt as an outstanding Michigan educator who takes justifiable pride in his profession. How fortunate we are that Matt is a Michigan teacher. I think of the dedicated teachers of Michigan as heroes and see Mr. Reid as a hero among heroes.”

Reid is one of more than 50 teachers nationwide this year to receive the Milken National Educator Award, dubbed the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine.

Reid will be presented with a check at the Milken National Education Conference in Los Angeles, Calif., in the spring.