Glastonbury teacher wins national Milken Award

GLASTONBURY, Conn. (AP) - A Glastonbury High School teacher credited with using real-world examples to explain physics to his students is this year's only Connecticut recipient of the national Milken Educator Award.

Douglas Hutton receives $25,000 to spend as he wishes as part of the award, announced during a surprise assembly Thursday at the school.

The 40-year-old South Windsor resident has taught at Glastonbury High for 16 years.

The Milken Family Foundation says Hutton was selected for making physics "come alive" for teens, such as by explaining acceleration with a push cart and baseball and using everyday items as props.

Hutton said he was shocked and honored, and that any of his Glastonbury High colleagues would have been equally deserving. His prize also includes an expenses-paid trip to California for an education conference.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.