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It’s the Surprise of a Lifetime: Up to 40 U.S. Educators to Receive a Milken Educator Award and $25,000 Cash

The Milken Family Foundation Has Been Surprising and Rewarding Outstanding Educators Across the Nation with the “Oscars of Teaching” Since 1987

October 05, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ana Beatriz Cholo, acholo@mff.org; (312) 927-4845 (cell); (310) 570-4773 (work)

SANTA MONICA, CA (October 5, 2015) — For the next six months, in up to 40 schools around the U.S., outstanding middle and high school educators will be given the surprise of a lifetime when they receive a Milken Educator Award and an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000 in front of VIPs during a boisterous schoolwide assembly.

The prestigious honor, which was launched by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987, has been described as “the Oscars of teaching” by Teacher magazine. Since first presented to a dozen California teachers, the program has grown to become the nation’s preeminent teacher recognition program having honored more than 2,600 K–12 teachers, principals and specialists. More than $137 million in funding, including over $66 million in individual $25,000 awards, has been devoted to the overall program, which includes powerful professional development opportunities throughout recipients’ careers. 

Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation (MFF), has advocated for teacher quality for decades. He says research confirms that educators represent the most important school-based factor in raising student achievement.

“The goal of the Milken Educator Awards program has always been to celebrate exemplary teachers for their contributions to our nation’s future and to encourage young people to seriously consider the teaching profession,” said Milken.

New recipients are invited to join the Milken Educator Network, a group of distinguished educators coast-to-coast whose expertise serves as a valuable resource to fellow educators, legislators, school boards and others shaping the future of education.

Recipients are selected in early to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. Many have gone on to earn advanced degrees and be placed in prominent posts and on state and national education committees. One example is Desi Nesmith, the former principal of Metacomet Elementary in Bloomfield, Connecticut, who won the award in 2014. He was promoted to chief school turnaround officer for the state department of education in September 2015.

Alternating yearly between elementary and secondary educators, the Milken Awards are sourced through each participating state department of education, which appoints an independent blue ribbon committee to confidentially review candidates for recommendation to MFF.

Past recipients have used their Awards to fund their children’s education or their own continuing education. Others have financed dream field trips, established scholarships and even funded the adoption of children.

This year, MFF is launching a #MyTeacherRocks Instagram campaign that encourages students to take selfies with their favorite teacher and describe in the caption why their teacher is special. To enter the contest, students will post their photos on Instagram and use the #MyTeacherRocks and #MilkenAward hashtags. The three photos with the most “likes” will be selected in November 2015, and February and April 2016. The winners will each receive $500 for their classroom.

To get regular updates on the surprise Milken Educator Award events, follow and use the #MilkenAward hashtag on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about the Milken Educator Awards, visit www.MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call MFF at (310) 570-4775. 

The Milken Educator Awards tour is on social media at:

The Milken Educator Awards, created by the Milken Family Foundation, were launched in 1987. The Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education. Recipients are heralded in early to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish.

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