Milkens of the West
Milkens of the West: Empowering Educators Across the Rockies
The Milkens of the West is a growing regional initiative created by Milken Educators from Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming. United by a shared mission to uplift and retain talented teachers, this group formed the Milkens of the West Educator Empowerment Summit in response to the growing teacher shortage and increasing educator burnout. Their goal is to create a strong, supportive community of experienced educators who actively encourage and mentor new and early-career teachers through an in-person event and ongoing guidance throughout the school year.
The 2025 summit began with a Milken Meetup at the scenic John Wesley Ranch near Divide, Colorado. Hosted by Steve Woolf (KS' 95, Founder and Director of Wild Heart Teacher, JRI Director of Corporate Culture, Administrator of the Year, and Author of Heart 2 Heart Teaching), the group enjoyed a delicious homemade dinner, organized Summit materials, and spent time energizing and supporting one another. This portion of the event is where Milken Educators “pour in” to each other: sharing ideas, solving problems, and preparing to uplift the broader educator community.
The following day, the free Educator Empowerment Summit took place at the historic Penrose House in Colorado Springs, a nonprofit meeting space generously provided at no cost. This intimate gathering featured twelve dynamic roundtable sessions led by Milken Educators. The format allowed for organic, personalized discussions where attendees explored real classroom challenges, exchanged ideas, and connected deeply with fellow educators. The keynote, delivered by Steve Woolf, brought many to tears as he spoke about teaching from the heart, setting a powerful tone of passion and purpose.
Guests traveled from across the state, some from over three hours away, to attend. Thanks to You and I Catering, participants enjoyed a beautiful Italian lunch in the mansion courtyard, surrounded by fountains and flowers. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of respondents feeling that the event was incredibly valuable. Attendees praised the supportive atmosphere, meaningful conversations, and unique opportunity to receive mentorship from award-winning educators. Attendees left the summit feeling inspired, recharged, and ready to start the school year with renewed purpose.
From networking in the mountains to heartfelt conversations in historic halls, the Milkens of the West are building something truly powerful: an educator-led movement rooted in compassion, connection, and community.
Click here for the agenda for the Milkens of the West Educator Empowerment Summit 2025.
Milkens of the West Network Leaders
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KS2017
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SD2017
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WY2021