Allison Ruhl's favorite thing about her first-grade students is their honesty. "If they love you, they will tell you," says Mississippi's 2016-17 Milken Educator. "And if your hair looks weird one morning, they'll tell you that, too."
Felicia Casto (CO '16) spends weekdays immersed in math with students and colleagues, and weekends and summers with the cattle and horses on her family's ranch in the mountains: "I have the best of both worlds."
First- and second-grade teacher Paul Campbell (AK '16) loves the way his young students reflect whatever he's feeling or is excited about: "It's a huge reminder for me each day to model a genuine love for learning new things."
STEM specialist Lukas Hefty (FL '16) believes that engineering should be part of every classroom, beginning in kindergarten: "It provides a real-world platform for the application of science, mathematics and technology."
Male teachers tend to shy away from elementary education, but fifth-grade teacher Eric Crouch (GA '16) saw that as an opportunity: "Our youngest students need positive male interaction, influence and role models."
Second-grade teacher Melissa Kovac (NM '16) knows she's succeeding as an educator when students come back years later to thank her for helping them reach their goals: "Their second-grade teacher will always be there to cheer them on."
To celebrate our 30th anniversary, we caught up with three 1987 Milken Educators from California. Hear them describe the impact of the Award on their careers in our Milken Educator Memories video series.
On her desk, Lindsay Murray (VA '16) keeps a silver bell—a cherished childhood gift from her aunt, an elementary school teacher and Lindsay's professional inspiration. "It reminds me that with hard work and dedication you can make all your dreams come true," says Lindsay.
Spanish teacher Vanessa Torres (SC '16) says her Milken Educator Award raised the value of language learning in her school and district: "There is no doubt that others see the significance of what I do."
Recent shifts in policies and attitudes toward immigrants have Gina Benz's students on edge. Her antidote to uncertainty: encouraging students to share their powerful stories.
