Articles
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Spotlight: Alexis Arias (CA '23)
August 13, 2024California Milken Educator Alexis Arias has found her calling in alternative education. She encourages students who may not have always had positive experiences at school by addressing the root of their misconceptions about education and helping them realize that their power lies in resilience. Utilizing social media, Alexis advocates for alternative education systems and the students within them. “My goal is to highlight the innovative approaches we use to engage and support our students, demonstrating how personalized learning environments can lead to academic success and personal growth.”
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Spotlight: Derrick Winn (LA '23)
August 12, 2024Louisiana Milken Educator Derrick Winn is a visible leader both in and out of the classroom. Derrick sees the positive impact that active involvement has on relationship building with students, parents and the community at large. His own eighth grade teacher inspired his creativity and hands on learning approach through trips across the country and abroad. He hopes that his students feel safe, welcomed and loved. “I want students to remember me like I remember the best teachers I’ve had. I remember those teachers because of their warmth, creativity and positivity.”
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Spotlight: Asia Cunningham (NC '23)
August 8, 2024From a young age, Asia Cunningham understood the impact of family engagement on student success. Her parents worked hard to provide quality education that set her up for a lifetime of success. Now, as principal of Pearsontown Elementary, she consistently advocates for her students' needs and draws inspiration from her mother who modeled determination, grit and accomplishing goals without limitations.
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Spotlight: Andrew Harrison (AR '23)
August 7, 2024Arkansas Milken Educator Andrew Harrison attributes his success to role models like his father, uncles, grandfathers and football coaches who preached the importance of hard work and perseverance. Now, when faced with challenges, he collaborates with his colleagues and goes the extra mile to achieve success. Drawing on lessons learned from his first year of teaching, he strives to build rapport with his students to help them reach new heights. “This job is about helping others reach their goals and pushing them to their full potential. It’s about becoming a member of the school community and putting others before yourself.”
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Spotlight: Amanda Fair-Coles (SC '23)
August 2, 2024South Carolina Milken Educator Amanda Fair-Coles values having a looped classroom where she not only nurtures relationships with students and their families, but also strengthens her teaching tactics. This classroom formula allows her to modify the curriculum to students’ individual needs — resulting in tremendous academic growth. Amanda's students have even signed a petition for her to teach them again during the upcoming school year.
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Spotlight: Caleb Flores (CO '23)
August 1, 2024Working as a Culturally Linguistically Diverse teacher holds great meaning for Colorado Milken Educator Caleb Flores, who comes from a family of immigrants in pursuit of the American dream. In his classroom, he implements strategies like culturally responsive teaching, social and emotional learning and academic monitoring to position them on the path to success. "Working as a CLD teacher is the most rewarding and fulfilling career that I've ever had. When I help my students who come from other parts of the world to make a better life and learn the language, I am reminded of my grandparents and everyone in my family who came before me.”
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Spotlight: Leslie McIntosh (NE '23)
July 29, 2024Milken Educator Leslie McIntosh is a hometown hero in Syracuse, Nebraska, where she grew up, attended school and saw her own mother serve the community as an educator. Now, an English and language arts teacher at Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Middle School, she, too, is serving the community that raised her. “I had many wonderful teachers in my childhood. In fact, I have had the privilege to work with many of them today because I came back to my hometown to live and raise my children.”
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Spotlight: Alex Lahasky (KS '23)
July 23, 2024Kansas social studies teacher Alex Lahasky hopes his students continue to strive to be kind, thoughtful and civic-minded while applying the critical thinking, perspective-taking and empathy skills he models in his classroom. In his AP U.S. history course, he replaced traditional summative assessments with oral presentations on contemporary issues to enhance students' communication and practical interview skills. “Our hope is that, by encouraging the connections between past and present, our students will be well-equipped to inherit our democracy as informed voters—voters capable of drawing on the wisdom of the past while forging our future.”
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Spotlight: Krissy Long (MS '23)
July 19, 2024Mississippi Milken Educator Krissy Long is committed to creating a safe space in her classroom while also fostering self-confidence, growth and accountability in her students. Her hands-on approach to teaching allows students to make real-world connections to their math and science lessons. With the help of reading materials created by her small business, The Local Authority, students across Mississippi have the resources to apply practical math concepts in their own lives.
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Spotlight: Rory Inouye (HI '23)
July 18, 2024Inspired by his parents who both served as educators in their local community, Rory Inouye witnessed the impact teachers had on their students and the meaningful relationships that formed as a result. Now a Milken Award recipient, he hopes to motivate young people to pursue education as a career. He created a scholarship using part of his Award money to help Waiakea High School seniors pursue their dreams of becoming educators. “Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions anyone could get into. It is challenging and stressful, but at the end of the day, the impact you are making is undeniable.”