SANTA MONICA, CA — Celebrate! Elevate! Activate! The 2025 class of Milken Educator Award recipients traveled from every corner of the country to attend the Milken Educator Awards Forum, “Milken Educators Leading the Way,” held June 12-14 in Washington, D.C. The event provided a powerful opportunity for honorees to network, learn to take their impact to the next level, and be celebrated at the Spotlight of Excellence Gala in deserved celebrity fashion.
Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken hosted the 2025 Awardees, officially recognizing Louisiana Milken Educator Award recipient Sarah Watkins with her unrestricted $25,000 cash prize following her surprise notification in November.
“Each 2025 Milken Educator embodies the steadfast leader, mentor and guide every student deserves,” said Lowell Milken. “From the inaugural class of twelve outstanding California educators, the Milken Educator Network is now over 3,000-strong, representing diverse communities across the country. We celebrate the induction of 27 professionals who are building a brighter future for thousands of young Americans and our nation itself.”
The all-expenses-paid trip to D.C. and $25,000 cash prize were part of each educator’s Award, which provides lifetime membership to the national Milken Educator Network, powerful mentorship and professional development opportunities, and access to a brain trust of over 3,000 Milken Educators working to shape the future of K-12 education.
The 2025-26 season marked more than $76 million in individual financial prizes and more than $146 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall.
For interviews with Sarah Watkins regarding her experience at the forum and national Award recognition, please contact Media Relations Manager Sydnee Flotron at (310) 570-4773 or sflotron@mff.org.
See highlights from the Milken Educator Awards Forum and Tour at #MilkenAward or on our channels: Facebook (MilkenEducatorAwards)| X (Milken)| YouTube (MilkenAward)| Instagram (MilkenFamilyFdn)| LinkedIn (MilkenFamilyFdn)| TikTok (MilkenAward).
Visit MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4772 for more information.
About the Milken Educator Awards: “The Future Belongs to the Educated”
The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. Created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken, the Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to K-12 teachers, principals, and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education. Recipients are heralded in early- to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish. The Milken Family Foundation celebrates more than 40 years of elevating education in America and around the world. Learn more at MFF.org.