Honoring outstanding K-12 educators with $25K. Celebrating, elevating and activating the profession.
06/17/2026
Take a look at all of the magic from three incredible days of collaboration at the 2026 MEA Forum! Our 2025-26 Milken Educators and veteran Milken Educators sparked new ideas, built meaningful connections, and explored innovative ways to shape the future of education. We loved elevating with you all! ✨
06/13/2026
We’re wrapping up the first full day of the 2026 Milken Educator Awards Forum! This morning, Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley celebrated our exceptional recipients and officially welcomed them to the Milken family of excellence! After our celebrate session, educators learned incredible insights about the TAP System and learned about the impact of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching. Educators also heard Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller (TX ‘17) and Dr. Shasta Looper (SC '12) speak about the MEA Instructional Coach Collective.
Stay tuned to see all the excitement ahead and share your favorite moments with the hashtag ! Be sure to follow along for live updates in our stories!
The Milken Educator Awards tour made its final stop of the 2025-26 season in Hartsdale, New York, adding an incredible educator to the Milken Network on April 17, 2026: The Leffell School ninth through 12th grade social studies teacher Harry Shontz! We surprised the outstanding educator with the Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 cash prize in front of students, colleagues, veteran Milken Educators, and visiting dignitaries. Take a look at how the life-changing surprise was revealed!
The Leffell School
05/22/2026
Pittsboro Elementary School fourth grade teacher Shane Henderson (NC ‘25) is pouring his heart back into the Chatham County community that raised him, lifting students through innovative teaching and a powerful growth mindset. From bus driver to beloved teacher, he’s helping his students soar, including a 16-point jump in reading proficiency. Whether leading clubs, mentoring peers, or continuing to fill in as a bus driver when needed, Henderson’s heart of service and compassion shines far beyond his classroom walls. Learn more in his Spotlight interview: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/connections/articles/view/spotlight-shane-henderson-nc-25
NC Public Schools
The Milken Educator Awards tour landed in Hutto, Texas this 2025-26 season, adding an incredible educator to the Milken family on April 7, 2026: Howard Norman Elementary School kindergarten teacher Olivia Joseph! Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller surprised the outstanding educator with the Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 cash prize in front of students, colleagues, veteran Milken Educators, and visiting dignitaries. Take a look at how the top-secret surprise was revealed.
Texas Education Agency
05/15/2026
Lexcee Oddo (KS ‘25) transforms learning through high expectations, individualized support, and a classroom culture rooted in growth and belonging. From mentoring colleagues to strengthening family engagement, she leads with both purpose and compassion. Her commitment to multilingual learners, relationship-centered teaching, and helping students build confidence in themselves reflects the deep impact she is making within the Turner Elementary community. Learn more in her Spotlight interview: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/connections/articles/view/spotlight-lexcee-oddo-ks-25
Kansas State Department of Education
05/13/2026
Dr. Jeffery Heggs (GA ‘25) transforms learning at Burke County High School by blending innovation, mentorship, and endless encouragement. Whether guiding students to master algebra, analyzing schoolwide data, or building community, he leads with purpose and heart. Learn more in his Spotlight interview: https://www.milkeneducatorawards.org/connections/articles/view/spotlight-jeffery-heggs-ga-25
Georgia Department of Education