Milkens of the West

Colorado South Dakota Wyoming

Milken Educators from Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming came together to create an annual Milkens of the West Meetup and Unconference. This event is a response to the growing teacher shortage and attrition rate. It aims to provide an in-person platform for encouraging, mentoring and building up new- and early-career teachers. The first part of the event takes place in the evening, where Milken Educators come from across states to network, share ideas and problem-solve. During this stimulating evening, Milken Educators “pour in” to one another, fostering inspiration and innovation. The next day, the Milken Educators host a free “Unconference” during which they “pour out” knowledge, advice and encouragement to attendees. The intimate nature of this Unconference format allows for discussions tailored to the needs of the attendees and for relationship building to provide early-career teachers with a supportive community of caring colleagues. This focus on empowering teachers continues throughout the following school year as attendees are paired with Milken Educators for individualized mentoring.

The event begins with an evening where Milken Educators from states across the region come together to connect, exchange ideas and tackle challenges. It is a wellspring of inspiration, as educators “pour into” one another, sparking innovation and reigniting their passion for teaching.

The following day, the energy shifts to the "Unconference," where Milken Educators “pour out” their wisdom, offering invaluable advice and encouragement to attendees. This intimate, interactive format is tailored to meeting the unique needs of participants, fostering deep discussions and building lasting relationships. The goal is to create a supportive community that continues to uplift and empower teachers throughout the school year, with attendees paired with Milken Educators for personalized mentoring.

The Milkens of the West Meetup and Unconference isn’t just an event: it’s a movement to inspire, support, and transform the most important players in education—teachers.

The Milken Educators who gathered for the inaugural Milkens of the West Meetup and Unconference in July 2024.

Jessica Kavitz (WY ‘22) shares tips and advice for teaching literacy during the Milkens of the West Unconference. Roundtable sessions were hosted by Milken Educators to “pour out” encouragement and inspiration to early-career teachers.