Milken Educator Awards, Santa Monica, CA Videos

A Day to Remember for Two WY Educators
This Milken Educator Awards season, the Cowboy State added two incredible school leaders to the family: Assistant Principal Megan Park at Gannett Peak Elementary School in Lander on March 12 and Principal Nathan Tedjeske at Cody High School on May 1, concluding our 2023-24 #MilkenAward season! We surprised the two top educators with Milken Educator Awards and $25,000 cash prizes in front of students, colleagues, veteran Milken Educators, and visiting dignitaries. Take a look at how the top-secret surprises were revealed. Learn more: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/newsroom/videos/view/park-tedjeske-wy-extended Cody High School Park County School District 6 Gannett Peak Elementary Wyoming State Board of Education Wyoming Department of Education #MEA3K #Wyoming

A Career-Changing Surprise for Two MD Educators
For two Maryland teachers, an ordinary assembly on April 18, 2024, turned into a huge surprise they would never forget! Surrounded by proud students, colleagues and special visitors, these two outstanding educators joined Maryland's Milken Educator Network: Frederick High School math teacher Maggie Jiang Arnold and fifth grade math teacher Bradley Absher at Bodkin Elementary School in Pasadena. See how their big day unfolded. More about these outstanding educators: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/newsroom/videos/view/absher-arnold-md-extended Frederick High PTSA FCPS Maryland BODKIN ELEMENTARY PTA Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Maryland State Department of Education #Maryland #Education #MEA3K #MilkenAward

Two Outstanding Nevada Teachers Receive $25K Milken Awards
Nevada's Milken Educator Network added two outstanding members this season: kindergarten teacher Yamilet Lopez at Alice Maxwell Elementary School in Sparks and special education teacher Joseph Kielminski at Foothill High School in Henderson. Here's how their Milken Educator Award surprises unfolded. Learn more: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/newsroom/videos/view/lopez-kielminski-nv-extended Foothill High School Clark County School District Washoe County School District Nevada Department of Education #MEA3K #MilkenAward

Two Hawaii Teachers Surprised with $25K Milken Educator Awards
HAWAII — "I wanted to be in a profession where I felt like I was making a direct impact — Like my teachers did for me." On April 8, two outstanding Hawaii teachers received national recognition when Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken, along with Hawaii Governor Josh Green, Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke and Superintendent of Education Keith Hayashi, delivered the surprise of a lifetime. With giant $25,000 checks and in front of their schools, dignitaries and media, Lowell changed the lives of two deserving educators: Waiakea High School math teacher Rory Inouye in Hilo and Jade Pham, TA vice principal and student services coordinator at Prince David Kawananakoa Middle School in Honolulu. Relive the huge celebrations from their students, colleagues and community members. More: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/newsroom/videos/view/inouye-pham-hi-extended Kawananakoa Middle School PTSA Waiakea High School Hawai'i Public Schools Governor Josh Green Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke #MilkenAward #MEA3K #HIPublicSchoolsProud #HI4PublicEd #808Educate #goodnews

Unforgettable Milken Award Surprises For Two TX Educators
In April, the Milken Educator Awards team landed in Texas to surprise two top educators with national recognition at festive all-school assemblies. Master Teacher Juan Dominguez at SSGT Michael P. Barrera Veterans Elementary and Principal Dr. Johnny Walker at Winona Middle School won their $25,000 Milken Awards to the applause of students, fellow educators, and distinguished visitors. Here's a look at their memorable #MilkenAward celebrations. More: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/newsroom/videos/view/dominguez-walker-tx-extended Somerset ISD Winona ISD Texas Education Agency #TXEd #MEA3K

An Emotional Surprise for TN Assistant Principal Abbey Kidwell
"I wouldn't trade what I do for anything." March 28, 2024, is a day Assistant Principal Abbey Kidwell will never forget! At a thrilling assembly at Clinton Elementary School, we surprised her with Tennessee's sole 2023-24 "Oscar of Teaching," with help from Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds. Abbey is passionate about supporting the growth of teachers and staff, creating an environment where CES students can thrive. She drives professional development, collaboration, and mentorship across her school and district, providing meaningful feedback and supervising the transfer of learning to the classroom. Relive how her career-changing day unfolded: Clinton City Schools Tennessee Department of Education National Institute for Excellence in Teaching #MilkenAward #MEA3K #ClintonTN #EducationExcellence

Two VA Educators Join Milken Educator Network
When the Milken Educator Awards team makes a surprise visit, routine school assemblies become extraordinary occasions that attendees will remember forever. On March 19, 2024, #MilkenAward Founder Lowell Milken presented two incredible Virginia teachers with Milken Educator Awards and $25,000 checks: science teacher Travis Dodds at Atlee High School in Mechanicsville and English teacher Eva Irwin at Alexandria City High School in Alexandria. Here's how it happened. More about Travis and Eva: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/newsroom/videos/view/dodds-irwin-va-extended Atlee High School Hanover County Public Schools Alexandria City High School Alexandria City Public Schools Virginia Department of Education - VDOE Governor of Virginia #AlexandriaVA #MechanicsvilleVA #MEA3K #ElevateEducatorsVA #scienceteacher #englishteacher #education #goodnews #teacherappreciation

Celebrating Two New Excellent Kansas Milken Educators
On February 8, Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken surprised two amazing Kansas teachers with Milken Educator Awards and $25,000 cash prizes: Alex Lahasky, 11th grade social studies teacher at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, and Matthew Mayeske, 9th and 10th grade social studies teacher at Gardner Edgerton High School in Gardner. Relive how their national Milken Award honors unfolded! More: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/newsroom/videos/view/lahasky-mayeske-ks-extended Blue Valley West Blue Valley School District Gardner Edgerton High School Gardner Edgerton School District Kansas State Department of Education #MilkenAward #MEA3K #leGEndary #BVWPride #KansansCan #GardnerKS #OverlandParkKS #Kansas #teacherappreciation #goodnews #education #highschool #socialstudies

Career-Changing Milken Awards for Four Louisiana Teachers
Imagine attending a routine school assembly, only to find yourself at the center of a life-changing celebration! This dream became a reality for four Louisiana educators in February when Lowell Milken, founder of the Milken Educator Awards, surprised them with a Milken Award and $25,000 in front of their students and colleagues. Congratulations again to Christine Bayard, Kelly Ryan, Lauren Waguespack, and Derrick Winn, our 2023-24 Louisiana recipients. Learn more and relive the unforgettable moments of their surprise and celebration! https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/newsroom/videos/view/bayard-ryan-winn-waguespack-la-extended EBR Schools Harry M. Hurst Middle School St. Charles Parish Public Schools Johnston-Hopkins Elementary School St. Tammany Parish Public School System Louisiana Department of Education #DestrehanLA #StCharlesParish #NewIberiaLA #NewIberia #BatonRouge #BatonRougeLA #EBRSchools #WeAreEBR #SlidellLA #STPPSProud #Louisiana #LaEd #LATeacherLeaders #LAExcellenctEducators #teacherappreciation

#YouHaveToSeeIt! Milken Educator Comfort Agboola (IL '23) threw out the first pitch at yesterday's Chicago Cubs game for #TeacherAppreciationDay. Comfort's Poe Classical Elementary School students even got involved, helping her measure the distance to the plate and practice before the big event! Watch her interview with CBS Chicago: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/milken-award-teacher-comfort-agboola-first-pitch-cubs-game/ Comfort Agboola Illinois State Board of Education Chicago Public Schools #MilkenAward #MEA3K #ThankATeacher

We hope you enjoy this special message from Milken Educator Awards Vice President and 2001 Virginia Milken Educator Stephanie Bishop as we mark the final Milken Award notification of our 2023-24 season. This school year, we recognized 68 outstanding teachers and principals in front of cheering students, colleagues, visiting dignitaries, veteran Milken Educators and media. Thank you for helping us share the good news and celebrate excellence in education across communities nationwide! Meet the class of 2023: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/ #MilkenAward #MEA3K #EducationMatters

We are back in beautiful “Wyo” to round out the 2023-2024 Milken Educator Award season on none other than #NationalPrincipalsDay. Please join us in congratulating Nathan Tedjeske, principal at Cody High School (CHS) and the newest recipient of $25,000. Tedjeske works to ensure students have access to exceptional learning experiences that prepare them for college, career and life and also helps them build a strong foundation for future success. Welcome to the Milken Educator family, Nathan! Click this link to learn more about Nathan Tedjeske: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/nathan-tedjeske Cody High School Park County School District 6 Wyoming State Board of Education Megan Degenfelder for WY State Superintendent of Public Instruction Waynesburg University Waynesburg University Alumni Waynesburg University Education Department Grand Canyon University Grand Canyon University - Alumni #MilkenAward #MEA3K #goodnews #WyomingStrong #WUSocial #WaynesburgU #WaynesburgAlumni #LopeCountry #lope4life #gcualumni

Wyoming Principal Nathan Tedjeske Wins $25K Milken Award in Cody!
CODY, WY — "I have the most fun job in the world. We get to set people up to explore their passions. Not just students, but the teachers as well." At Cody High School in northwestern Wyoming, Principal Nathan Tedjeske's passion for helping students and staff learn and grow shines through in everything he does. A former principal at nearby Cody Middle School, Tedjeske helps students build a strong foundation for future success, connecting them to real-world learning opportunities in CTE classes and internships with local businesses. When Stephanie Bishop, vice president of the Milken Educator Awards, presented him with a $25,000 Wyoming #MilkenAward today, his school community shared their appreciation by raising the roof with their cheers! A fitting celebration for #NationalPrincipalsDay! "Kids deserve the best people available to be in front of them, teaching them and loving them," Tedjeske said after the assembly. "Something like this is a positive spotlight that kids can see. For me, it's inspiring." Continuing his strategic planning and partnership with local business leaders – which he started at Cody Middle School – Tedjeske has grown internship and apprenticeship opportunities for CHS students. "We want our students to see as much as they can while they're in high school and as many of those experiences while they're still under our umbrella and in the safety that we can provide." Congratulations and welcome to the Milken Educator Network, Principal Tedjeske! Learn more: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/nathan-tedjeske Cody High School CTE Park County School District 6 Wyoming State Board of Education Wyoming Department of Education Megan Degenfelder for WY State Superintendent of Public Instruction #MEA3K #Wyoming #CodyWY #WyomingStrong #schooladministrator #principal #education #goodnews #goodnewsfeed

Career-Changing $25K Milken Awards for Two Idaho Educators
In February 2024, two Idaho educators received a huge surprise they will never forget! Students, colleagues, visiting dignitaries, and local media watched as we welcomed these outstanding school administrators to Idaho's Milken Educator Network: Compass Academy Assistant Principal and Dean of Students Kelly Sheridan in Idaho Falls and Future Public School Principal Heather Efaw in Garden City. We captured every moment of the educators' unforgettable Milken Award assemblies. Take a look at how the top-secret surprises unfolded. About Kelly Sheridan: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/kelly-sheridan About Heather Efaw: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/heather-efaw Compass Academy Lions D91 Proud - Idaho Falls School District 91 Future Public School Idaho Department of Education #MilkenAward #MEA3K #Idaho #GardenCityID #IdahoFallsID #calions #D91Proud #FuturePublicSchool #charterschools #EmpowerEducators #RespectLearning #LoveTeaching #education #schooladministrators #goodnews

We are wrapping up our stay in Maryland by surprising one last incredible educator with a $25K #MilkenAward. This afternoon, Bradley Absher, math teacher at Bodkin Elementary School has been named a Milken Educator in Pasadena. Bradley is being celebrated for his connection and impactful relationships with his students and serving as a role model in the broader community. Congratulations Bradley and welcome to the Milken Educator family! Click this link to learn more about Bradley Absher: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/bradley-absher BODKIN ELEMENTARY PTA Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Maryland State Department of Education Towson University Towson University Alumni Association TU College of Education UMBC Alumni Association UMBC Department of Education #MilkenAward #MEA3K #goodnews #AACPSAwesome

Bradley Absher, You're a Maryland Milken Educator!
PASADENA, MD — BRADLEY ABSHER, you're a Maryland Milken Educator! We surprised the fifth grade math teacher this afternoon at Bodkin Elementary School with a Milken Educator Award and $25,000, with the help of Maryland Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright. "ABSHER, ABSHER, ABSHER!" Bradley's proud students screamed with delight when the beloved teacher's name was called—there's nothing we love more than hearing students cheering for their teacher! There's never a dull moment in Bradley's classroom, where fifth graders begin class each day with a Number Talks warm-up lesson, designed to stimulate mental math skills through real-world mathematical puzzles. His classroom is designed in small-group rotations with review stations, technology, games, and centers – all tailored to his students’ individual learning styles and needs. A supportive and positive influence schoolwide, Bradley spearheads various clubs including STEM, SeaPerch, Math Mindset and both the board game and chess clubs. He welcomes the chance to encourage and guide future educators, serving as a field work mentor through the Teach Institute where he supervises high school and college student interns. Aspiring educators also get meaningful opportunities for learning during their time job-shadowing in his classroom. Learn more: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/bradley-absher BODKIN ELEMENTARY PTA Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Maryland State Department of Education Towson University Alumni Association TU College of Education UMBC Alumni Association UMBC Department of Education #MilkenAward #MEA3K #PasadenaMD #Maryland #AACPSAwesome #fifthgrade #mathteacher #education #goodnews #goodnewsfeed

We’ve travelled back East to Frederick, Maryland for an exciting surprise assembly at Frederick High School. We are honored to congratulate math teacher Maggie Arnold who’s just received the #MilkenAward recognition this morning with a $25,000 cash prize. Maggie is a testament to resilience and achievement. Having arrived in the U.S. as a young child speaking no English, she learned how to thrive in fully immersive English classes before becoming a math teacher at Frederick High School. Today she shares her story with her students to impart the value of lifelong learning. Welcome to the Milken Educator family, Maggie! Click this link to learn more about Maggie Arnold: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/maggie-arnold Frederick High PTSA FCPS Maryland Maryland State Department of Education Messiah University Messiah University Alumni Mount St. Mary's University Mount St. Mary's University Alumni #MilkenAward #MEA3K #goodnews #BigFred #GoMount #MountProud #GoMessiah

MD Math Teacher Maggie Arnold Surprised with $25,000 Milken Award
FREDERICK, MD — When math teacher Maggie Arnold arrived at Frederick High School this morning, she knew Maryland Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright was visiting for today's assembly. She had no idea that the real purpose of the gathering was to celebrate HER! The moment Milken Educator Awards Senior Program Director Greg Gallagher named Maggie Maryland's next Milken Educator, an honor complete with a $25,000 cash prize, the room filled with joyful cheers from students and colleagues. In Maggie's classroom, her whole child approach expands on math curriculum to bring students a well-rounded understanding of math and the world around them. Rooted in Mind Brain Education (MBE), she draws on the connection between meditation, mindfulness and metacognition to prepare students with tools to support lifelong learning. Notably, Maggie created a financial literacy assignment and toolkit, “Passport to Financial Freedom.” In the long-term project, students learn about the realities of the workforce by earning passport stamps for engaging in sound financial practices like contributing to a savings account, shadowing a professional or performing a “shop comparison” on a purchase. On behalf of your students, thank you for making education your chosen career! Learn more: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/maggie-arnold Frederick High PTSA FCPS Maryland Maryland State Department of Education Messiah University Messiah University Alumni Mount St. Mary's University Mount St. Mary's University Alumni #BigFred #MEA3K #FrederickMD #Maryland #mathteacher #math #education #goodnews #goodnewsfeed

Grant Hegstad's $25K Milken Award Surprise in Iowa
ORANGE CITY, IA — On Feb. 15, 2024, Moc-Floyd Valley High School Assistant Principal and Extended Career Experiences (ECE) Coordinator Grant Hegstad got the surprise of a lifetime when we presented him with Iowa's sole 2023-24 Milken Educator Award — and $25,000 cash prize. Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow and MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District Superintendent Russ Adams (IA '03) joined us for the educator's life-changing day. "I think teaching is a calling," Grant said after the assembly. "Never forget that it's bigger than just a job. The opportunity that we have every day to use those chances with our kids to really impact their futures for the better is pretty important." Learn more about Grant: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/grant-hegstad MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District MOC-Floyd Valley CAPS Iowa Department of Education #MEA3K #GoDutch #MOCFB #MOCFV #OrangeCityIA #Iowa #highschool #schooladministrator #assistantprincipal #footballcoach #education #goodnews #goodnewsfeed

We’ve returned back to the Silver State this morning to highlight the achievements of one extraordinary educator at Foothill High School in Henderson, NV. Please join us in welcoming special education teacher Joseph Kielminski to the Milken Educator family complete with a $25K #MilkenAward. Joseph is dedicated to fostering belonging and pride among his students at Foothill High School and, as the Special Education Department chair, he exposes his students to new experiences and empowers them to realize their potential. Congratulations Joseph, we are honored to welcome you to the 2023-2024 class of Milken Educators! Click this link to learn more about Joseph Kielminski: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/educators/view/joseph-kielminski Foothill High School Foothill PTO, Inc. Clark County School District Nevada Department of Education Joe Lombardo for Governor University of Nevada, Las Vegas UNLV Alumni UNLV College of Education #MEA3K #MilkenAward #goodnews #UNLVIT #UNLV #RebelsMakeItHappen #unlvcoe