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Bolingbrook Assistant Principal Surprised With $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Illinois Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders joins Milken Family Foundation’s Dr. Jane Foley to present the “Oscar of Teaching”

October 16, 2025

Bolingbrook, Ill. — Dr. Jaclyn Lennox, Bolingbrook High School’s assistant principal of curriculum and instruction, is known for empowering her fellow teachers. But today, the tables were turned when she received life-changing news: she was the nation’s next recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award and an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000! At a schoolwide assembly at BHS, Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley, joined by Illinois Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders, invited Dr. Lennox to the front of the gymnasium as students, educators, dignitaries and media cheered for the assistant principal. Dr. Lennox is the only educator in Illinois selected for the honor this school year, and she is the state’s 114th recipient since Illinois joined the Milken Educator Awards program in 1988. 

“Dr. Lennox has set the gold standard for her teachers as a strong instructional leader,” said Dr. Foley, who is a 1994 Indiana Milken Educator herself. “Her dedication to Bolingbrook High School, commitment to collaboration, and deep involvement in the community have created an environment where excellence thrives. Through her vision and teamwork, she continues to inspire those around her to reach their fullest potential and make a lasting difference.”

“Dr. Jaclyn Lennox exemplifies the very best of educational leadership,” said Dr. Sanders. “Her innovative, data-driven approach has strengthened both teaching and learning at Bolingbrook High School — from creating the Academic Recovery Center to expanding AP participation and supporting career readiness opportunities for students. As a mentor, she empowers teachers to grow through peer coaching and professional development that has reduced turnover and elevated instruction. Dr. Lennox’s dedication to communication, inclusion, and continuous improvement makes her a true model of how strong leadership transforms an entire school community.” 

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. The Milken Educator Awards believe, “The future belongs to the educated.” 

Outstanding educators like Lennox are not aware of their candidacy for the Award. Recipients 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 Dr. Jaclyn Lennox 

Data-Driven Approach Yields Results: Effective leaders bring out the best in those they guide – which is how Dr. Lennox operates in her role at BHS. Her experience as a former math teacher informs her innovative, data-driven decision making, contributing to student learning and the development of high-caliber educators throughout BHS and the district. Dr. Lennox established the school’s Academic Recovery Center, supports work-based learning opportunities and career readiness initiatives, and boosted AP class participation and visibility as the AP coordinator. Dr. Lennox’s work alongside BHS’ administrative team has helped lead to schoolwide improvements: a 4% student absenteeism decrease from 2023-2025; a 10% increase in cohort graduation rate from 2023-2025; and significant growth in students taking and passing AP exams each year. 

Inspires Leadership Through Action: Dr. Lennox mentors core content administrators, counselors and educators. She leads the Student Improvement Team and co-chairs the school’s Instructional Leadership Team, where she assists with curriculum alignment and PLC facilitation. She visits classrooms, analyzes data and works with colleagues to plan targeted interventions. In addition, she has created a holistic, multipronged, teacher-led professional development program and leads a peer coaching initiative that has helped reduce teacher turnover by 15%. Dr. Lennox is also a published author and is a member of the Illinois Principals Association. 

Strong Communications Builds BHS Community: Championing communications with families and the greater community, Dr. Lennox manages three newsletters, holds an open-door policy with students, and is learning Spanish to better communicate and translate for families. She oversees state testing coordination, and organizes events like graduation, parent-teacher conferences, incoming freshman night, registration, open houses, and curriculum night — all while actively attending and supporting school cultural events and celebrations.  

Education: Dr. Lennox completed her bachelor’s in mathematics in 2009 from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a master’s in school leadership in 2013 from Olivet Nazarene University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of St. Francis in 2022.  

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. 

The Milken Educator Award might come to a community near you! Who will be next? Join us as we surprise these remarkable individuals and celebrate their dedication to excellence in education! 

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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