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An Elevated Honor for Beaumont School Leader: Joel Hudec Receives Surprise $25,000 National Milken Educator Award for California

Exemplary leadership, strong student growth and nurturing environment “pay off” for Brookside Elementary School principal

November 20, 2025

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Today, Brookside Elementary School Principal Joel Hudec planned what he thought was going to be an assembly with Beaumont USD Superintendent Mays Kakish to celebrate the school’s high academic growth. To his surprise, the gathering had a second, individual honor in store: Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley announced Hudec as a 2025-26 recipient of the national Milken Educator Award – which carries with it a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize. 

“Joel Hudec is a strong instructional leader who works every day to achieve high standards of excellence for his students, colleagues and community,” said Dr. Foley, who received the Milken Educator Award in 1994 as a principal in Indiana. “His record of accomplishment also serves a greater purpose: to inspire learners and leaders across this profession. We congratulate Joel for instilling a love of learning here at Brookside, and look forward to the contributions he will bring to the national Milken Educator Network.” 

Hudec is the first Milken Educator Award recipient in Beaumont USD history and the 156th recipient in California—where the Awards were first presented in 1987. He joins a national network of over 3,000 Milken Educators spanning the Awards’ 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 spanning the length of the initiative 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 Joel Hudec 

A Life Dedicated to Education: Principal Joel Hudec’s influence at Brookside Elementary School is infinite—spearheading academic programs and benchmark assessments, mentoring colleagues, joining a friendly game of tetherball with his young students at recess, lending a helping hand to the janitorial team, and so much more. Education is in his blood; Hudec’s mother has served as a long-time school administrator in neighboring districts. Hudec has worked in nearly every corner of education prior to leading Brookside Elementary, including as a high school science teacher, sports coach, athletic director and middle school assistant principal. His leadership philosophy—pairing high expectations with targeted support that delivers results—has paid off. Under his guidance, Brookside students have made double-digit gains in ELA and math and have maintained high academic growth on district and state assessments. 

Fostering Innovation and Collaboration: Hudec’s data-driven, whole-child approach is reflected throughout the school’s curriculum, equipping teachers with innovative tools to reach and engage students. He transformed the writing program by introducing a dedicated writing lab that fosters critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. Professional development and community engagement are also top priorities for him. He leads professional learning communities, partners with the PTA, hosts community events such as career fairs, a Read-a-Thon and an annual harvest festival, and has expanded and enhanced the school library. Students proudly don their “House” shirts on Fridays as part of Hudec’s “Four Houses, One Family” school spirit initiative—asserting the values of “Friendship,” “Givers,” “Courage,” and “Dreamers.” 

Inspiring Leadership in Others: In the district, Hudec coaches other principals and administrators, shares best practices at education conferences, volunteers on district fiscal and planning teams, and serves on committees focused on summer learning, curriculum development and school improvement. 

Education: Hudec earned a Bachelor of Science in child and family development from San Diego State University in 2010 and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from the University of Redlands in 2014. 

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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