Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards

To Attract, Retain, and Motivate Talented People to the Challenge and Adventure of Teaching

2023 Winner - Caleb Flores

Caleb Flores, 2023 Milken Award Winner, with Rhonda Solis Colorado State Board Member for 8th Congressional District

2023 Milken Award Winner Caleb Flores and Rhonda Solis, Colorado State Board of Education Member for 8th Congressional District.

Journey to the 3,000th Milken Educator

2023-24 marks the Journey to the 3,000th Milken Educator. Up to 75 recipients will be honored coast-to-coast, culminating in the 3,000th member being named to the Milken Educator Network. This year marks $75 million in individual financial prizes spanning the length of the initiative and more than $144 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall.

The prestigious honor has been described as "the Oscars of teaching" by Teacher magazine. More than $138 million in funding, including $68 million in individual $25,000 Awards, has been devoted to the overall program, which includes powerful professional development opportunities throughout recipients' careers

See the Journey to the 3,000th Milken Educator on the Milken Educator Awards website.

History

The Milken Family Foundation National Educator Awards program, sponsored by the Colorado Department of Education and the State Board of Education, provides public recognition and an unrestricted financial award of $25,000 to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and other education professionals who are furthering excellence in education.

The Milken Educator Awards are announced in the fall of each year at surprise notifications, held in all-school assemblies. The chief state school officer makes the award announcement in the company of Foundation representatives and other dignitaries, including the Governor or first lady, as well as the electronic and print media.

New Colorado recipients are also honored at a Colorado State Board of Education meeting following their receipt of the award.

Click the following dates to read about Colorado's Milken Educators from:

Criteria

Recipients are selected from outstanding educators who have distinguished themselves in the eyes of their peers, students and community by:

Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by outstanding instructional practices in the classroom, school, and profession
Outstanding accomplishment and strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership
Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues, and the community.

View more information about the Milken Family Foundation Educator Awards.

Caleb Flores, 2023 Milken Award Winner, at Greeley West High School

Questions? Please contact

Patty Gleason
Grants Program Administration
Gleason_P@cde.state.co.us
303-910-5721 (c)