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Greenville First Grade Teacher Surprised With $25,000 Milken Educator Award for Innovative Dual-Language Instruction

Pactolus Global School's Ainsley VanBuskirk honored with prestigious Award during nationwide tour recognizing excellence in education

November 03, 2023

GREENVILLE, N.C.  — Pactolus Global School's Ainsley VanBuskirk thought she was attending an assembly honoring the school's continued academic growth with a visit from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's deputy superintendent this morning. Instead, the first grade teacher received the surprise of a lifetime – a national Milken Educator Award, which includes a $25,000 cash prize she may use however she chooses. Bestowed by the Milken Family Foundation, the Award presentation is part of a cross-country tour that honors exceptional educators for excellence and innovation in education. 

Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop, joined by North Carolina Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jerry Oates, presented the Award in front of cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries and media. 

"Today we celebrate and honor Ainsley VanBuskirk, an exemplary educator whose devotion to the growth of her students and school is a testament to the transformative power of passionate teaching," said Bishop, who is a 2001 Milken Educator from Virginia. "Giving young students the gift of learning a second language opens their eyes to new knowledge, skills, and exciting experiences of self-discovery and place in today's world. I enthusiastically welcome Ainsley to our nationwide network and look forward to the richness she will bring to the Milken Educator Award circle of excellence." 

Hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching," the Awards will honor up to 75 recipients across the country this school year as part of the Milken Family Foundation's Journey to the 3,000^th Milken Educator. This season will reach $75 million in individual financial prizes spanning the length of the initiative and more than $144 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to "Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate" the K-12 profession and inspiring young, capable people to pursue teaching as a career.  

"As our world continues to become more interconnected, Ms. VanBuskirk inspires the next generation of global learners and leaders through best practices and dual language instruction," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt said. "As a facilitating teacher at Pactolus, she helps support bilingual literacy instruction to increase students' growth and proficiency with some of the youngest learners in our state. The skills Ms. VanBuskirk fosters in her classroom set her students up for success in their journey." 

The Milken Educator Award is not a lifetime achievement honor. Recipients are sought out while early to mid-career for what they have achieved – and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities afforded by the Award.  

More About Ainsley VanBuskirk  

Fostering Global Citizens: As an advocate for lifelong learning, VanBuskirk instills the importance of cultural diversity and an appreciation for the interconnectedness of the world in her students. Through engaging, hands-on activities and incorporation of real-world examples, she encourages students to think critically and independently while promoting problem-solving skills and curiosity, demonstrating that learning is never-ending. VanBuskirk creates a tailored curriculum to accommodate various learning styles while taking special care to ensure that every student has an equitable opportunity to succeed. She puts great emphasis on creating an environment that encourages empathy and respectful communication, which prompts further academic and social growth for her students. 

Schoolwide Leadership: VanBuskirk's leadership reaches beyond her classroom as she participates on the School Improvement Team, serves as a grade-level chair and a facilitating teacher, while collaborating with international colleagues to determine how best to support dual language instruction and bridge languages to increase student growth and proficiency. She mentors new teachers in the district by helping them acclimate to their new school and district culture and has implemented development programs like Reading Horizons and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), aimed at providing a tailored approach to match academic, social-emotional behavior assessment and instructional resources to each student's needs. 

A Model of Inspiration: VanBuskirk is National Board Certified. She has presented at the Accelerate, Invigorate, Motivate (AIM) state conference on dual language and global initiatives, as well as to administrators during the summer leadership academy. VanBuskirk is frequently invited to conduct professional development workshops for colleagues where she shares best practices, instructional strategies, and technology integration techniques. She is also a member of the District Science Advisory. 

Education: VanBuskirk earned an Associate of Arts from Pitt Community College in 2011 and a Bachelor of Science from East Carolina University in 2013. 

More about the Milken Educator Award Journey: "The Future Belongs to the Educated" 

• The honorees attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles in June 2024, where they will network with their new colleagues as well as veteran Milken Educators and other education leaders about how to broaden their impact on K-12 education. 
• Honorees receive powerful mentorship opportunities for expanded leadership roles that strengthen education practice and policy. Milken Friends Forever (MFF) pairs a new recipient with a veteran Milken Educator mentor; the Expanding MFF Resource and Explorer Program fosters individual veteran Milken Educator partnerships around a specific topic area; and Activating Milken Educators (AME) promotes group collaboration in and across states to tackle pressing educational needs.
• Veteran Milken Educators demonstrate a wide range of leadership roles at state, national and international levels. 
• The $25,000 cash Award is unrestricted. Recipients have used the money in diverse ways. Some recipients have spent the funds on their children's or their own continuing education, financing dream field trips, establishing scholarships, and even adopting children.    

Follow the Milken Educator Awards tour and use the #MEA3K and #MilkenAward hashtags on: Facebook (MilkenEducatorAwards) | X (Milken) | YouTube (MilkenAward) | Instagram (MilkenFamilyFdn) LinkedIn (MilkenFamilyFdn) | TikTok (MilkenAward).   

Visit MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4772 for more information.  

About the Milken Educator Awards  
The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. Created by Lowell Milken, 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 Milken Family Foundation celebrates more than 40 years of elevating education in America and around the world. Learn more at MFF.org.  

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