Chatham County teacher receives 'Oscar' of teaching awards, $25K

A Chatham County teacher received the "Oscar" of teaching awards Thursday morning along with a $25,000 check.

Posted 3:43 p.m. Oct 15, 2015 — Updated 4:05 p.m. Oct 15, 2015

BEAR CREEK, N.C. — A Chatham County teacher received the "Oscar" of teaching awards Thursday morning along with a $25,000 check.

Eric Patin, who chairs Chatham Central High School's science department, was given the North Carolina Milken Educator Award during a surprise sunrise assembly at the school.

Forty other teachers nationwide received the award this year.

"One of the highest compliments any teacher could receive is knowing that students request you for their teacher, and this is true for Eric," state Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson said. "He is well respected by students and fellow teachers. Chatham Central High is fortunate to have him on staff, and North Carolina is fortunate to have him in its teaching ranks."

Aside from teaching, Patin is the head coach the men's tennis team and an assistant coach for the football team. He has been at Chatham Central High for seven years.

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