Yannabah "Yanna" Lewis, a math and citizenship teacher at Kealakehe High School in Kailua, Kona, is the recipient of Hawai'i's 2007 Milken Award.

Lewis, a Kealakehe High teacher since the Big Island school opened in 1997, adjusts her teaching strategies to accommodate different learning styles, and helps her students through tutoring and with an open-door policy that makes them comfortable and confident, according to a news release about the award issued by the state Department of Education.

Lewis is also a co-creator of "Citizenship First," which broadcasts daily lessons on the ethics and philosophy of good citizenship on closed-circuit television. Kealakehe High students attend the homeroom classes all four years, and must be a "Citizen in Good Standing" to take part in school activities. "Citizenship First" has been recognized locally and nationally as a model civic responsibility program.

Hawai'i has been part of the Milken Educator Awards since 1990-91. Including this 18th year, 66 Hawai'i educators have received awards totaling $1.65 million. Recipients demonstrate exemplary instructional practices, outstanding accomplishments and long-range potential to contribute to the profession, and an inspiring presence that motivates students, colleagues, and the community.

In addition to a $25,000 cash award, Hawai'i's winner will be honored at a recognition event in February and at the Milken National Education Conference and awards ceremony next spring in Los Angeles.

The Milken Educator Awards were first presented in 1987. Through 2007, the program will have awarded more than $58 million to honor 2,300 educators. For more on the awards, the National Education Conference or other Milken Family Foundation programs, call 310-570-4774, or go to www.mff.org.

For additional information about "Citizenship First," go to http://www2.hawaii.edu/~bierman/index.html.