Milken Educator Memories: The First Class

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Milken Educator Awards, we caught up with three California recipients from 1987, the first class of Milken Educators. How did the Award change the trajectory of their careers? Find out in the short videos below.

Neil Anstead (CA '87)

A teacher at Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda when he won the Award, Neil Anstead pioneered a novel integrated curriculum that meshed art history with humanities. He talked with us about the moment he learned that he had won the Award and the joy he felt throughout his career. "The very first day I walked into a class, [I knew] I had found my place in life," he told us. "What a wonderful thing to be able to say!"

Shirley Rosenkranz (CA '87)

Shirley Rosenkranz was an English teacher at Southern California's Temple City High School when she won the Award in 1987. Shirley saved her $25,000 Award money for decades. Now she is using the funds to build a library in her backyard, where she will coach local students who need extra help.

Jeffrey Swenerton (CA '87)

Jeffrey Swenerton, who retired in 2003 after more than 30 years of teaching and administration, was the principal at Del Mar Hills Elementary School when he won his Milken Educator Award. When we met recently, he reflected on the impact the Award had on his career, including the lifelong learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities to work with his fellow Milken Educators.