National honor

LAKE STEVENS — Not even the state schools superintendent knew the name of the secret winner.

The Viking pep band drummed up heart-pumping excitement while Lake Stevens High School students filled their gym bleachers Tuesday morning for the announcement of an elite, national honor for the school.

As the students listened, it became clear that one of their teachers was about to win a $25,000 Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

But who?

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn opened an envelope with the winner’s name.

He called out “Dan.” Pause. “Alderson.”

The crowd cheered and chanted “Alderson, Alderson, Alderson.”

English teacher Daniel Alderson, 38, staggered to the gym floor.

“In all honesty, as we were listening to the qualifications for this award, I was thinking of so many of my colleagues — people who work hard and inspire students,” Alderson said. “I had no idea. This feels totally undeserved.”

Tom Boysen, of the California-based Milken Foundation, said nobody is nominated or applies for the prestigious award. Instead, winning teachers are sought out. Alderson, who has earned certification with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, also leads classes for prospective teachers at a local private university and is working to obtain his school administration credentials.

Dorn urged all Lake Stevens students to thank a teacher on Tuesday.

“Schools are vital to our future, our economy, our society and our democracy,” Dorn said. “Teachers are the driving force behind good schools. And some of you aren’t easy to teach!”

The Milken Family Foundation annually gives awards to as many as 40 teachers around the country. Alderson is now among a group of about 1,000 teachers nationwide who have been recognized by the foundation during the past 25 years.

In the bleachers, senior student Kyle Lawson, 17, agreed that Alderson was worthy of the award. He stood with his classmates to give Alderson a standing ovation.

So how will Alderson spend the personal, unrestricted award of $25,000?

“I am taking my family out to lunch at Five Guys Burgers and Fries,” Alderson said. “They would like to go to Disneyland, but I probably will pay off my student loans.”

Alderson grew up in Colville believing he would follow in the footsteps of his teacher Robert Whalen. But when he graduated from high school, friends convinced him that teaching was no way to make a living. Alderson went to work for a grocery store chain and soon was earning $50,000 a year.

Following the death of his father, Alderson decided about 12 years ago to return to his dream of teaching. He studied at Spokane Falls Community College and Gonzaga University, relying on his wife’s part-time job and his sales of firewood to feed their family.

Lake Stevens athletic director Ed Bailey helped Alderson get his job at Lake Stevens in 2004.

“What he lacked in classroom experience, he made up for in life experience,” Bailey said. “His passion for teaching was written all over his application.”

At first, Alderson lived in Bailey’s basement. He helped coach the cross-country team and his balding head earned him the nickname Coach Balderson. When his family joined him in Lake Stevens, they moved into a two-bedroom mobile home in a trailer park.

Though his wife, Naomi, and daughter Eliana, 12, were at a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday morning, Alderson’s other daughters Eden, 7, Eryn, 10, and Emily, 14, were picked up at their schools by Bailey so they could be on hand for the assembly.

“I am happy for my dad,” Emily said. “He works hard as a teacher. He works at night and on the weekends. He takes breaks, but mostly he works.”

Before running off to get burgers for his family, Alderson returned to his classroom where his 11th-grade students worked on a writing project. They applauded as he walked through the door. He issued an assignment as he grabbed his jacket.

Students Floretta Woart and Katherine Isom, both 16, praised their teacher as one of the best, ever.

“I had Mr. Alderson for a teacher last year, too,” Katherine said. “He has inspired me to become a writer.”

Alderson said his motto, his touchstone as he calls it, is “whatever is best for my students.”

“And whenever people ask me why I teach, I tell them that I am addicted to light bulbs,” Alderson said. “I love that moment when a light bulb goes on in a kid’s head. That ‘aha!’ moment.”

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

Contributed photo from Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works contractor crews have begun their summer 2016 paving work on 13 miles of roadway, primarily in the Monroe and Stanwood areas. This photo is an example of paving work from a previous summer. A new layer of asphalt is put down over the old.
Snohomish County plans to resurface about 76 miles of roads this summer

EVERETT – As part of its annual road maintenance and preservation program,… Continue reading

City of Everett Engineer Tom Hood, left, and City of Everett Engineer and Project Manager Dan Enrico, right, talks about the current Edgewater Bridge demolition on Friday, May 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How do you get rid of a bridge? Everett engineers can explain.

Workers began dismantling the old Edgewater Bridge on May 2. The process could take one to two months, city engineers said.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County will host two wildfire-preparedness meetings in May

Meetings will allow community members to learn wildfire mitigation strategies and connect with a variety of local and state agencies.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo cameras go live to curb speeding on Speedway

Starting Friday, an automated traffic camera system will cover four blocks of Mukilteo Speedway. A 30-day warning period is in place.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Here’s who filed for the primary election in Snohomish County

Positions with three or more candidates will go to voters Aug. 5 to determine final contenders for the Nov. 4 general election.

Students, educators speak out against Early Learning Center closure

Public commenters criticized Everett Community College for its handling of the closure. The board backed the move, citing the center’s lack of funding.

A ferry passes by as Everett Fire Department, Everett Police and the U.S. Coast Guard conduct a water rescue for a sinking boat in Possession Sound off of Howarth Park on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Searchers on the scene of sunken boat near Howarth Park

A good Samaritan rescued one person from the water. Crews are still searching for three others.

Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature on the the 1,367 page document outlining the state’s 2025 operating budget. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Ferguson signs budget boosting Washington state spending and taxes

The governor used his veto pen sparingly, to the delight of Democrats and the disappointment of Republicans.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

Washington State Trooper Chris Gadd is transported inside prior to a memorial service in his honor Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Jury selection begins in Everett trial of driver accused in trooper’s death

Jurors questioned on bias, media exposure in the case involving fallen Washington State Patrol trooper Chris Gadd.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.