SECRETARY ARNE DUNCAN HONORS EMPLOYEE WITH DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GOLDEN APPLE AWARD

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

 

U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY ARNE DUNCAN HONORS EMPLOYEE WITH

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GOLDEN APPLE AWARD

 

Andrea Suarez Falken, director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools Program (ED-GRS), will receive the Secretary of Education’s Golden Apple Award at a ceremony on Wednesday, August 29, at the Department of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

 

For the first time this year, the Golden Apple Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of Department of Education employees.  The award is issued to an employee whose service has been distinguished by an achievement of local, state, national, or international significance. 

 

Falken founded and championed the new ED-GRS recognition program, which honors schools that are exemplary in reducing environmental impact and costs; improving the health and wellness of students and staff; and providing effective environmental and sustainability education, which incorporates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), civic skills and green career pathways.  It is estimated that Falken saved the government about $150,000 in salaries and expenses by managing the program herself without hiring additional staff and saving contract money.

 

WHO:

Andrea Suarez Falken, director of the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Program

 

WHAT:

Recipient of Secretary of Education’s Golden Apple Award

 

WHEN:

1:30 p.m. (ET), Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012

 

WHERE:

Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ)

Department of Education Building

400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.

Washington, D.C.