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Colchester Teacher David Mason Surprised with Milken Educator Award and $25,000

Connecticut Commissioner of Education Charlene M. Russell-Tucker joins Milken Family Foundation’s Dr. Jane Foley to present the “Oscar of Teaching”

October 29, 2025

Colchester, Conn. — Bacon Academy’s David Mason thought he was attending a schoolwide assembly this morning to welcome Connecticut Commissioner of Education Charlene M. Russell-Tucker on the topic of college and career readiness. Instead, he received the surprise of a lifetime when it was revealed the event was held in his honor. Mason was recognized with the prestigious Milken Educator Award, which celebrates outstanding educators across the country with an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000 for their dedication and innovation in the field. Upon the presentation by Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley and Commissioner Russell-Tucker, Mason was met with thunderous cheers from students, fellow staff members, state dignitaries and media. 

“Today we celebrate David Mason for reshaping what’s possible for high school students at Bacon Academy,” said Dr. Foley, who is a 1994 Indiana Milken Educator herself. “Through continued innovation, hands-on instruction and powerful industry partnerships, he has built a program that opens doors to college credit, real-world skills and meaningful careers, empowering his students to strive for success during school and beyond. Welcome to the Milken Educator Network!” 

Mason is the only educator selected for Connecticut this school year and is the 104th recipient since the Constitution State joined the Milken Educator Awards program in 1988. 

“The Milken Educator Award celebrates educators whose innovation and leadership prepare students not only for college and career, but for life,” said Commissioner Russell-Tucker. “David Mason’s transformative work at Bacon Academy exemplifies that spirit—his commitment to hands-on, project-based learning has built one of eastern Connecticut’s most respected manufacturing programs and inspired a new generation of students to see themselves in high-demand, high-skill careers. David is a mentor, a visionary, and a true champion for his students’ success—he is exceptionally deserving of this honor.” 

The Milken Family Foundation’s 2025-26 tour will honor 30 educators coast to coast – adding to the Milken Educator Network of more than 3,000 professionals nationwide. Created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken in 1987, the Milken Educator Awards represent America’s preeminent educator recognition initiative, inspiring educators, students and communities to “Celebrate, Elevate and Activate” the K-12 teaching profession. By the end of this season, more than $76 million in individual financial prizes and more than $146 million will have been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall. 

Educators are not aware of their candidacy for the Award and 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. 

More About David Mason 

Building Skills and Shaping Futures: David Mason has transformed Bacon Academy’s manufacturing program into one of the most respected in eastern Connecticut. Based in Colchester, the program is a thriving four-year pathway with 130 students enrolled—making it the region’s largest elective. Mason teaches welding, machining, plasma cutting, metal fabrication, and computer numerically controlled (CNC) operation, using state-of-the-art equipment to deliver hands-on, project-based learning. 

His students create real-world projects like sheet metal flowers and CNC-cut family signs, while earning up to 11 college credits, OSHA safety certifications, pre-apprenticeship hours, internships, college credit at Connecticut State Three Rivers Community College, and a $1,000 cash award for passing an industry, hands-on assessment held in partnership with an outside educational partner at a local tech school. Female enrollment in the program has increased from 3-5% to 28-35%, and Mason’s teaching reaches students of all skill levels. 

From Classroom to Career: He leads the school’s Youth Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (YMPI), connecting students with internships where many return after graduation for full-time work. His work with YMPI, recognized by Eastern Advanced Manufacturing Alliance Regional Sector Partnership (EAMA RSP) as a state model, helped Bacon Academy earn the distinction of being Connecticut’s No. 1 public school for college and career readiness, according to the state’s Dual Credit measure. Ninety-seven percent of his students passed the YMPI assessment, and 95% of advanced students passed their certification exams, signifying Bacon students’ readiness for employment after high school. 

Innovation Through Leadership: In addition to Connecticut State Three Rivers, Mason works with the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, Connecticut Department of Labor, Electric Boat, and local industry leaders. His leadership extends to the school level through serving on the CTE Advisory Board, mentoring new CTE teachers, and teaching summer courses. He also collaborated with department leaders to spearhead a $200,000 renovation of the student lab by helping secure grants (like the Perkins Grant) and other funding. 

Education: Mason earned a Bachelor of Science in technology education and construction management from Ohio Northern University in 2011 and a Master of Arts in positive coaching and athletic leadership from the University of Missouri 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 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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