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Surprise, Sydney! Taylor County’s Superb ELA Teacher Scores National $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Sydney Newton’s innovative practices and steady support accelerate learning at Taylor County High School

December 16, 2025

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — In Campbellsville, Kentucky, Taylor County High School (TCHS) students, staff, dignitaries and media gathered this morning for a special visit from Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman and Commissioner of Education Dr. Robbie Fletcher. Why the visit to Campbellsville? All was revealed when Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley took the stage, announcing her visit from California to present an educator at TCHS with a prestigious, national honor: the $25,000 Milken Educator Award. 

As anticipation began to build in the gymnasium, Dr. Foley delivered the surprise of a lifetime to Sydney Newton, TCHS’ ninth through 11th grade ELA teacher! Newton accepted her Award surrounded by some of her biggest cheerleaders—whose applause became thunderous upon learning that the Award’s $25,000 cash prize is unrestricted.

“Sydney Newton is an exceptional role model for the students and staff of Taylor County High School,” said Dr. Foley, who is a 1994 Indiana Milken Educator herself. “Her dedication is unmatched. Whether leading in the classroom, implementing exciting programs, mentoring colleagues or guiding student clubs to championships, Sydney is constantly raising the bar. Congratulations, and welcome to the Milken Educator family.” 

Newton, who serves in dual roles as an ELA teacher and provides curriculum and administrative support at the school and district levels, is Kentucky’s 64th recipient since the Bluegrass State joined the Milken Educator Awards program in 1993. She is Kentucky’s sole Milken Educator Award recipient in 2025-26 and is the first-ever recipient from the Taylor County School District. 

“Educators such as Mrs. Newton exemplify the positive impact that arises when teachers are committed to delivering the highest quality education to their students,” Dr. Fletcher said. “Her presence in the classroom and in the community elevates those around her. She is a shining example of what it means to be ‘All in.’” 

Today Newton 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 Sydney Newton 

“Love, Learning and Leadership”: Love, learning and leadership drive instruction for Taylor County High School teacher Sydney Newton. The beloved ELA educator is often the first smiling face students see in the morning as she welcomes bus riders to TCHS, and for many, is still there after school is done, mentoring students, sponsoring school clubs and incorporating data-driven practices into the school curriculum to ensure her high schoolers thrive. Newton serves in a dual role at the school, teaching ELA to ninth through 11th graders and providing curriculum and administrative support at TCHS and the district. Her dedication to Taylor County students is reflected in their academic performance. 

Bringing Lessons to Life: In her ELA class, Newton implements innovative AI approaches for students to “chat” with William Shakespeare while studying his play, “Julius Caesar”. Using the Socratic method for class debates stimulates engagement, higher-order thinking and ownership of learning. Her enthusiasm for ELA led her to pilot an AP Language program for sophomores to provide a head start on their path to higher education. 

All-Around Involvement: Newton’s commitment to her students extends beyond the classroom, where she can be found sponsoring the Color Guard and taking the team to regional and state competitions, leading the Beta Club and Academic Team to multiple championships, serving as the student-nominated faculty partner for the annual Dancing with the Cards fine arts fundraiser, volunteering as the Yearbook Club faculty advisor, and mentoring student aides. She also helped create ELA curriculum, mentors new educators, plans professional development opportunities and coordinates the summer school program. 

Education: Newton earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary and middle grades education from Lindsey Wilson University in 2016. At nearby Campbellsville University, she completed dual master’s degrees—Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in 2018 and P-12 school administration 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. 

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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