International School Ryan Lafferty was shocked to hear his name called Jan. 7 as the winner of an award some have called the “Oscars of teaching”.

That’s not a euphemism.

Lafferty, the crowd of students, even school board members Chris Marks, My-Linh Thai and Carolyn Watson hadn’t been told what exactly was going to happen at the morning assembly. Only a handful of people — including OSPI Superintendent Randy Dorn and Jane Foley– knew the surprise they were about to give Lafferty.

A quiet murmur ran through the crowd when the significance of the assembly was revealed. It was soon replaced by boisterous applause and cheering when it was announced that Lafferty has won the prestigious Milken Foundation’s Educator Award and a $25,000 prize.

“I’m not good with attention, I was a little bit overwhelmed when they called my name. I did not get into teaching to win awards,” he said.

The Milken Educator Award was launched by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987 and has been described as “the Oscars of teaching” by Teacher magazine.

Based on guidelines established by the foundation, participating states’ departments of education appoint blue-ribbon committees that recommend candidates. There is no formal nomination or application process.

Candidates are assessed on their instructional practices, student learning results, their educational accomplishments beyond the classroom and other criteria.

Lafferty joins up to 40 other educators who will receive the award this year, and is the only Washington recipient.

The Redmond-native joined the International School six years ago, and admits that his classes are a bit different from others. They’re project based and sometimes experimental. Most of all, he tries to make it engaging, he said.

It appears that that works. His science classes are in demand and his students earn high marks on exams, the school reported.

Lafferty is also a National Honors Society advisor, serves on the school’s middle and high science clubs and travels to the state science bowl. He is also committed to enhancing social emotional learning, interdepartmental collaboration and professional communication.

His proudest moments teaching, he said, have been when past students have come back to visit and told him how they pursued physics or engineering.

“Mr. Lafferty inspires his students every day,” said Superintendent Dorn. “His up-beat attitude and project-based approach create an energized learning environment that supports a love of learning.”

Past winners joined Lafferty after the announcement, including Peter Kirk Elementary School Principal Monica Garcia, who told him she was happy to remember at least one Milken award ceremony.

“I just wish I could say treasure this experience and thank you for sharing, because I don’t remember this part (when I won my award in 2005. It’s all a haze,” she told Lafferty.

Once the shock began to wear off, Lafferty knew exactly what he would do with his prize — a downpayment on a house for he and his wife.

“I’m going to fall apart when I call my wife,” he said.