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Award Notification:  Jayda Pugliese (PA '16)

PA’s Jayda Pugliese Is 1st Milken Educator of 2016-17

It’s a special morning at Andrew Jackson Elementary School—the gymnasium is packed with excited children, the student rock band is performing, and dignitaries are on hand, including Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, and School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. William R. Hite. The visitors are there to congratulate Andrew Jackson on being a model school for Philadelphia’s School Climate initiative—or so everyone thinks. When Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation, takes the microphone, he shares a big surprise: One teacher at Andrew Jackson is about to receive a Milken Educator Award and $25,000! Watch as Lowell names STEAM teacher Jayda Pugliese the first Milken Educator of the 2016-17 season, the Milken Family Foundation’s 30th year recognizing and rewarding outstanding educators across the U.S.