The Milken Educator Awards, created by Lowell Milken in 1987, celebrates and recognizes the outstanding contributions of educators across the nation. While film has the Oscar™, music has the Grammy™, and sports has its gold medals, the Milken Educator Awards fills the void by acknowledging the remarkable achievements of our nation's teachers. Unlike a lifetime achievement award, the Milken Educator Awards specifically targets early-to-mid career education professionals who have already made a significant impact and have the potential to achieve even more in the future.

Recipients of this prestigious award receive an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize as a testament to their excellence. Since its inception, the program has distributed nearly 3,000 awards, totaling $70 million. These educators also gain access to a powerful network and development tools throughout their careers, with the program dedicating over $140 million to support their ongoing growth.

The announcement of the award is made during emotional all-school assemblies, where students, colleagues, officials, and the media shower the recipients with praise and admiration. While these educators are rightfully celebrated, the awards are ultimately about highlighting the hard work and dedication of classroom heroes and inspiring future generations. The Milken Educator Awards truly recognize, value, and thank those who have chosen to make a difference in the lives of students