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Portsmouth Middle School Counselor Lauded With National $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Kyle Spaltholz makes history as Portsmouth School Department’s first-ever Milken Educator Award recipient

October 30, 2025

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — This morning, seventh and eighth grade school counselor Kyle Spaltholz walked into the gym at Portsmouth Middle expecting an assembly on the school’s positive learning environment. Less than an hour later, Spaltholz was hailed as Rhode Island’s sole 2025-26 Milken Educator Award for his integral role in the effort—and became $25,000 richer. 

The assembly, helmed by Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, shifted gears when Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley took the stage to announce a big surprise for one exceptional educator. As the recipient’s name was called, a shocked Spaltholz made his way to the front of the gym to accept his Award—and unrestricted cash prize—before cheering students, colleagues, media, and local and state dignitaries. 

“Kyle Spaltholz’s boundless leadership, resourcefulness, and genuine passion for supporting others elevates everything he does,” said Dr. Foley, who is a 1994 Indiana Milken Educator herself. “Whether he is teaching, coaching, or counseling, Portsmouth’s students are fortunate to have his guidance as they transition to high school. Congratulations, Kyle, and welcome to the Milken Educator family.” 

Spaltholz is Rhode Island’s 85th recipient since the Ocean State joined the Milken Educator Awards program in 1990 and is the first-ever recipient from Portsmouth School Department. Today Spaltholz 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. 

“Over his tenure at Portsmouth Middle School, Kyle has earned the trust of both his students and his colleagues because of his solution-oriented, student-first approach,” said Commissioner Infante-Green. “He represents the very best of Rhode Island educators. I’m grateful for his dedication and know that he will continue to have a positive impact as a Milken Educator.” 

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 Kyle Spaltholz 

Taking a Multifaceted Approach: Seventh and eighth grade school counselor Kyle Spaltholz plays an integral role in advancing students’ academic, social-emotional, and career growth at Portsmouth Middle School. A former English language arts teacher and instructional systems coach, Spaltholz’s schedule has always been jam-packed – from spearheading school and district initiatives, to collaborating with families, and engaging students in clubs and community activities. Recognizing firsthand how data-driven school counseling and classroom teaching are synergistic, his unique perspective informs his solution-oriented, student-first approach. 

Spearheading Innovative Initiatives: Spaltholz’s experience with technology integration, curriculum development, data interpretation, and pedagogy make him a trusted resource and mentor for colleagues. Following the ASCA (American School Counselor Association) model, Spaltholz led the RAMP (Recognized ASCA Model Program) within the district, aligning K-12 counseling practices to national standards. He has also led the implementation of the IXL personalized learning program; coached colleagues on technology like AI; facilitated professional learning community (PLC) book studies and agenda-building; helped develop the school’s multitiered system of supports (MTSS) framework rollout; co-authored the district’s response to intervention (RTI) handbook; ensured effective use of individualized learning plans (ILPs); organized state testing logistics; and helped craft curriculum for the school’s college and career readiness class “21st Century Skills.” Spaltholz also guides districtwide professional development and presents at national conferences. 

Building A Welcoming Environment: To help students navigate major life changes, often due to deployment because of Portsmouth’s large military population, Spaltholz sparked student participation in Anchored4Life, a peer-to-peer club to connect youth while building change and resiliency skills. He champions student involvement on all fronts, whether helping with fundraisers for Rachel’s Closet, promoting kindness through Rachel’s Challenge, co-facilitating the school’s social justice club, planting trees for Earth Day, or helping students find belonging within the school’s Minecraft for Education club, which he founded. 

Education: Spaltholz earned his bachelor’s in secondary English from the University of Rhode Island in 2011 and his master’s in school counseling from Providence College in 2024. 

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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