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Maria Santonastaso Receives First Milken Award of 2024-25 Season

What's happening at Glen Hills Elementary School? There's an all-school assembly everyone is buzzing about. The reason for the assembly becomes clear when Dr. Jane Foley, senior vice president of the Milken Educator Awards, surprises kindergarten teacher Maria Santonastaso with the first Milken Award of the 2024-25 season and $25,000! Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green and Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos joined the celebration to honor Santonastaso’s excellence in education in front of cheering students, proud colleagues, dignitaries and media. Today marks the beginning of a milestone season that will add the 3,000th recipient to the Milken Educator Awards' ranks. Click through to see Maria Santonastaso's big surprise.