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Accomplishments of Alabama Agriscience Teacher Yield Surprise $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Christian Stanley cultivates academic growth and love of learning in Goshen High School and the Pike County community

December 10, 2025

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Holy cow! In an all-school assembly at Goshen High School, complete with a special visit from Alabama State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric G. Mackey, seventh through 12th grade agriscience teacher Christian Stanley was utterly surprised with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award. 

Standing in front of his cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries and media, Stanley accepted the accolade from Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop, learning that he is among just 30 educators nationwide receiving the Award in 2025-26—and the only one in Alabama. Better yet, the $25,000 cash prize is unrestricted and can be used however he chooses. 

“Christian Stanley excels as an educator, mentor, colleague, and community leader,” said Bishop, who is also a 2001 Virginia Milken Educator. “The Pike County Agriscience Academy is unparalleled. Students are lucky to have such rich, hands-on experiences that allow them to make meaningful contributions to the global economy and build the foundation for a bright future. Congratulations, Christian!” 

Stanley is Alabama’s 43rd recipient since the state joined the Milken Educator Awards program in 1998 and is the first-ever recipient from Pike County Schools. Today Stanley joins a national network of over 3,000 Milken Educators spanning the Awards’ nearly 40-year history as the nation’s preeminent teacher-recognition program. Hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Awards initiative has no formal application or nomination process. Outstanding K-12 educators are sought out while early to mid-career for what they have achieved—and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities afforded by the Award. 

“Mr. Stanley represents everything we hope for in Alabama classrooms. He has a heart for students, provides excellent instruction, and has a deep commitment to his school and community,” said Dr. Mackey. “To see that kind of work recognized on a national stage with the Milken Educator Award is special not just for this teacher, but for Pike County and our entire state. This honor shines a light on what’s possible when purpose and persistence come together in education.” 

This season will reach more than $76 million in individual cash prizes since the Awards’ first presentation in 1987 and over $146 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to broaden their impact and encouraging young, capable people to consider a career in education. 

More About Christian Stanley 

Paving New Paths: While students raise cattle and goats, manage greenhouses, and restore tractors, Goshen High School (GHS) agriscience teacher Christian Stanley ensures the Pike County Agriscience Academy is a well-oiled machine. Stanley teaches middle and high school students through the district’s Pike County Agriscience Academy—Alabama’s only high school agriculture education program offering college credit. Dually enrolled students can graduate with a short-term certificate or an associate’s degree in agriscience free of charge through Enterprise State Community College, where Stanley is an adjunct instructor. 

Instruction Rooted in Real-Life: Stanley teaches classes such as animal and dairy science, horticulture, landscape design, floral design, and agriscience explorations. Prioritizing hands-on learning, he guides students in managing a freight farm controlled climate agriculture system—growing hundreds of heads of lettuce weekly that supply lunchrooms throughout the community. Stanley also serves as an advisor to Goshen’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter. He prepares students for competitions, incorporating STEM, CTE, and career development into his curriculum. The chapter has produced winning teams, and district and state student officers. 

Making His Voice Heard: Stanley is a leadership team member, mentors new teachers, leads professional development, and presents at state and national teacher conferences. His work contributed to GHS’ recognitions by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools. Broadening his impact, Stanley is FFA Agriscience Education Leadership Development Event (LDE) state chair, FFA Creed Speaking LDE south district chair, south district vice president of the Alabama Association of Agricultural Educators, and serves on the Pike County Cattlemen’s Association board of directors. 

Connecting With the Community: Stanley maintains relationships with local farmers and community leaders to generate opportunities for students, received his CDL to drive students on trips around the community, and is the announcer at Friday night football games. 

Education: Stanley earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural systems and education from Southern Illinois University in 2018 and a Master of Science in agriscience education from Auburn University in 2020. 

The Milken Educator Award Reaps Lifelong Benefits

• The $25,000 cash Award is unrestricted. Recipients have used the money in diverse ways. Some recipients have spent the funds on their children’s or their own continuing education, financing dream field trips, establishing scholarships, and even adopting children.
• Honorees receive powerful mentorship opportunities for expanded leadership roles that strengthen education practice and policy. Milken Friends Forever (MFF) pairs a new recipient with a veteran Milken Educator mentor; the Expanding MFF Resource and Explorer Program fosters individual veteran Milken Educator partnerships around specific topic areas; and Activating Milken Educators (AME) promotes group collaboration in and across states to bring solutions to pressing educational needs. Milken MeetUps abound across the nation to deepen learning and connection and expand innovation in education.
• The honorees will attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Washington, D.C., from June 12-14, 2026, where they will network with their new colleagues, as well as veteran Milken Educators and other education leaders, about how to further develop their voice into roles that lead to real change.
• Veteran Milken Educators demonstrate a wide range of leadership roles at state, national and international levels. 

Follow the Milken Educator Awards tour and use the #MilkenAward hashtag on: YouTube (MilkenAward)| Facebook (MilkenEducatorAwards)| Instagram (MilkenFamilyFdn)| TikTok (MilkenAward)| X (Milken)| LinkedIn (MilkenFamilyFdn). 

Visit MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4772 for more information.

About the Milken Educator Awards: “The Future Belongs to the Educated”
The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. Created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken, the Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to K-12 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. The Milken Family Foundation celebrates more than 40 years of elevating education in America and around the world. Learn more at MFF.org.

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