Press Releases    All Press Releases

Surprise! Los Angeles Teacher Celebrated with National Milken Educator Award

Dr. Ellen Dooley among up to 30 recipients of “Oscar of Teaching” for preparing future leaders

February 24, 2026

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — During an all-school assembly at Milken Community School (MCS) about leadership with Los Angeles Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten, Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken entered the scene with exciting news to share about a leader of their own: Dr. Ellen Dooley is the next national Milken Educator Award recipient. 

Dr. Dooley—social science instructional leader—teaches a range of classes to sixth through 12th graders at MCS, in modern world/Jewish history, U.S. history, and art history. Surrounded by cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries and media, she accepted her Award and its accompanying unrestricted $25,000 cash prize. She is one of two California recipients to earn the Milken Educator Award this school year, and among up to 30 recipients nationally. Joel Hudec, principal of Brookside Elementary School in Beaumont, was presented with the Award in November. 

“Dr. Ellen Dooley inspires students to reach high levels of achievement,” said Lowell Milken. “Ellen understands that education is active, enhanced by rich curriculum, depth of thought and a connection to real-life events and experiences that shape students into compassionate, productive members of society. We are excited to welcome Ellen into the Milken Educator Network, and to see her continue to motivate positive change in her school, community, and across the nation.” 

Today Dr. Dooley 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. 

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 Dr. Ellen Dooley 

Breathing Life into History: Dr. Ellen Dooley engages students in hands-on learning while cultivating critical thinkers who are curious about the world around them. Across multiple disciplines at Milken Community School (MCS), including modern world/Jewish history, U.S. history, and art history, she promotes high expectations, meaningful challenges, and an unwavering belief that all students can succeed. 

Maintaining High Standards: Dooley fosters excellence through rigorous, innovative, student-led lessons that enable all to reach their potential. She revitalized MCS’ AP art history program by incorporating guest lectures from university art historians and organizing visits to museums and exhibitions. As a result, many students have expressed interest in pursuing art history in college, and former students clamor to enroll in her upper-grade classes. 

Empowering Others: As social science instructional leader and Milken Scholars coordinator, Dooley is respected by students and colleagues alike. She helps refine curriculum, lesson plans and assessments for teaching teams and opens her classroom for observation and learning. MCS benefits from her contributions on the Faculty Advisory Committee, Machloket (Constructive Debate) Committee, the Faculty Integration Fellowship, the California Association of Independent Schools Accreditation Steering Committee, and the AI Task Force. Dooley also led the development of MCS’ Center for Advanced Global Studies, a new curriculum that connects the classroom to real-world global and Jewish contexts—strengthening inquiry, collaboration and identity. 

Making Education Equitable: Beyond MCS, Dooley has mentored students at various schools as a writing coach and supported teenage mothers pursuing high school diplomas. She also served as assistant curator of Latin American art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and as a volunteer instructor with the Prison University Project (now Mount Tamalpais College) at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. She continues this commitment to justice-centered education at MCS as faculty advisor to Yozma (“initiative” in Hebrew), the school’s social action initiative. 

Education: In 2008, Dooley earned her Bachelor of Arts in art history and religion from Trinity University in San Antonio, and a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in art history from the University of Southern California in 2010 and 2015, respectively. 

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 June 12-14 in Washington, D.C., 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.

---