Milken National Educators Award

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About the Program

Film has the Oscar™, music has the Grammy™, science has the Nobel and sports has its gold medals, but what about the true unsung heroes on the frontlines of shaping our future? The Milken Educator Awards is the nation’s preeminent teacher recognition program. For 30 years, the Milken Educator Awards, an initiative of the Milken Family Foundation, have rewarded and inspired excellence in the world of education by honoring top educators around the country with $25,000 unrestricted awards. Not an accolade for “lifetime achievement” or the proverbial gold watch at the exit door, the Milken Educator Awards targets early-to-mid career education professionals for their already impressive achievements and, more significantly, for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future. Honorees join the national Milken Educator Network, a group whose expertise is a valuable resource to those shaping the future of education. Resources

North Carolina Milken Recipients

Ainsley VanBuskirk
2023 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Pactolus Global School
Pitt County Schools

Asia Cunningham
2023 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Pearsontown Elementary
Durham Public Schools

Jessica Barnett
2022 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Rocky Point Elementary School
Pender County Schools

Justin Scarbro
2021 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Page High School
Guilford County Schools

Victoria Lightfoot
2020 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Millbrook Magnet Elementary School
Wake County Schools

Rachel O'Kelley
2019 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
John A. Holmes High School
Edenton-Chowan Public Schools

Meghan LeFevers
2017 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Bessemer City High School
Gaston County Schools

Amanda Robertson
2016 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Jones Intermediate School
Mt. Airy City Schools

Eric Patin
2015 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Chatham Central High School
Chatham County Schools

Angie Sigmon
2014 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Shuford Elementary School
Newton-Conover Schools

Tiffany Lachenmayr
2012 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Timber Drive Elementary School
Wake County Schools

Kimberly (Kim) James
2010 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Triangle Lake Montessori Elementary School
Guilford County Schools

Cynthia (Cindy) Rudolph
2009 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Hopewell High School
Charlotte/Mecklenburg County Schools

Bryan Holley, Ed.D., NBCT-R 
2008 NC Milken Educator Award Recipient
Corinth-Holders Elementary
Johnston County Schools