Charleston, W.Va. – Veteran and highly celebrated West Virginia Milken Educators will host dozens of TeachWV Grow Your Own Pathway to Teaching high school students during the 2023 Milken Educator Network Forum at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston. Students will attend Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and receive greetings from First Lady Cathy Justice and Vice President of Milken Educator Awards Stephanie Bishop, among others.
The West Virginia Milken Educator Network is one of 13 in the country. Composed of Milken Educators from across the state, the organization aims to provide insight, expertise and advocacy for education issues. Additionally, these educators are committed to supporting and mentoring the next generation of teachers to address the critical need for educators in the state and in the nation.
These educators hold a tremendous amount of expertise, and they believe in the power of public education in the lives of our children
State Superintendent of Schools and 1993 Milken Educator David L. Roach
The Milken Educator Award, an initiative of the Milken Family Foundation, recognizes excellence by honoring top educators around the country with unrestricted monetary awards. There have been 76 Milken awards awarded in West Virginia since 1990. Andrea Trio, principal of Madison Elementary (Ohio County), is the state’s 2022 Milken Educator.
“The Milken community is such an important resource in our state,” said State Superintendent of Schools and 1993 Milken Educator David L. Roach. “These educators hold a tremendous amount of expertise, and they believe in the power of public education in the lives of our children. Now that we have a cohort of Grow Your Own future educators, the role of the Milken network is even more important as they mentor and embrace the next generation of teachers.”
As part of the second annual Forum, participants will receive updates from Vice President Bishop who will share timely and topical education issues.
“The Milken Family Foundation is honored to partner with the West Virginia Department of Education on the West Virginia Milken Educators Forum,” Bishop said. “This year’s Forum will celebrate students in West Virginia’s Grow Your Own program by connecting them with award-winning educators who will share insight and strategies with the state’s future teachers.”
There are more than 250 West Virginia high school students in the TeachWV Grow Your Own program representing 37 counties. To date, these students have saved approximately $90,000 in dual credit college tuition during the pilot year.
About the Milken Educator Awards
The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. The Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to elementary and secondary school 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 initiative was created by the Milken Family Foundation, which celebrates 40 years of elevating education in America and around the world. Learn more at MFF.org
