We’re wrapping up the first full day of the 2026 Milken Educator Awards Forum! This morning, Senior Vice President Dr. @Milken_jfoley 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 @NIETteach from @NIETjbarnett and the NIET panel. Stay tuned to see all the excitement ahead and share your favorite moments with the hashtag #MilkenAward! #MilkenEducatorAward #MEAForum #MilkenEducator #MEAForum2026

Class of 2025-26 and veteran Milken Educators mix and mingle in a speed networking event hosted by the wonderful Milken Educator Awards Vice President @jenniferfuller2 #MilkenEducatorAward #MEAForum #MilkenEducator #MEAForum2026

Milken Educator Awards Vice President @jenniferfuller2 and @ShastaLooper speak about the MEA Instructional Coach Collective. #MilkenEducatorAward #MEAForum #MilkenEducator #MEAForum2026

"Appreciate and love where you're at right now." - Omar Duron (AZ '19) speaks on the TAP System/@NIETteach panel for Milken Educators and guests #MilkenEducatorAward #MEAForum #MilkenEducator #MEAForum2026

Welcome to the first full day of the 2026 Milken Educator Awards Forum! This morning, Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President @Milken_jfoley 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 25 year impact of @NIETteach from @NIETjbarnett and the NIET panel. We’ve only just begun to unleash all of the magic of the MEA forum! Stay tuned to see all the excitement ahead and share your favorite moments with the hashtag #MilkenAward #MilkenEducatorAward #MEAForum #MilkenEducator #MEAForum2026

Congratulations to the 2026 ARTEFFECT Competition Awardees! View the 46 winners of the 11th annual competition: arteffectlmc.org/winners/202… In total, over $45,000 in prizes were awarded to young artists across multiple categories in the middle and high school divisions. Congratulations, and thank you to those who participated in #2026ARTEFFECT @arteffectlmc

The 2026 ARTEFFECT Competition Awardees are Announced! View all the 46 winners here: bit.ly/AE2026-Competition-Wi… #2026ARTEFFECT

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! @leffellschool #GoodNews #MilkenAward #MilkenEducator #Emotional #NYTeachers

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: milkeneducatorawards.org/con… @HendersonShane @Pboroelementary @chathamcosch @ncpublicschools @mogreenNCDPI #MilkenAward #MilkenEducator #WeCelebrate #OneChatham

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. @HippoNationSupt @teainfo #GoodNews #MilkenAward #MilkenEducator #HippoNation #txed

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: milkeneducatorawards.org/con… @ksdehq #MilkenAward #MilkenEducator

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: milkeneducatorawards.org/con… @burkecountyHS @BCPS_bears @georgiadeptofed #MilkenAward #MilkenEducator

We’re wrapping up Teacher Appreciation Week by remembering the educators who believe in us. We loved this reflection from Milken Educator Sydney Newton (KY ‘25) on how teachers change lives. Thank you to all teachers who make a difference in the lives of students each and every day! #TAW #TeacherAppreciationWeek #MilkenEducator #MilkenAward

As Teacher Appreciation Week continues, the State Board was proud to recognize Jeanette Capritti of Lawrence Middle School, NJ’s 2025 @Milken Educator! From literacy excellence to supporting the "whole child," we thank all NJ educators for their dedication.