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Milken Educator Award – the "Oscar of Teaching" – Honors Shawsville Teacher

Virginia Superintendent for Public Instruction Dr. Lisa Coons joins the Milken Family Foundation's Stephanie Bishop for "Oscar of Teaching"   

March 07, 2025

Shawsville, Va. – Sunday's Oscars celebrated Hollywood's finest actors, and today, the Milken Educator Award, known as the "Oscar of Teaching," celebrated one of America's best teachers! When seventh grade science teacher Anna Drew walked into Shawsville Middle School's gymnasium this morning, she assumed she was there for a special visit from Virginia Superintendent for Public Instruction Dr. Lisa Coons. However, the assembly took a surprising turn when Drew's name was called: she was the next Milken Educator! Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop shocked the entire school when she called Drew's name and presented her with a check for $25,000! Drew accepted the honor in front of cheering students, faculty, dignitaries and members of the media.

"Anna Drew embodies the spirit of the Milken Educator Award, leading in her classroom and community with excellence, innovation and a commitment to others," said Bishop, a 2001 Virginia Milken Educator herself. "Whether engaging her students in exciting science projects, mentoring teachers, or helping to improve instruction and student outcomes throughout the district, Anna is making an indelible impact on SMS and the broader community. We are honored to welcome her to the Milken Educator Network today."

Drew joins over 3,000 Milken Educators spanning the Awards' nearly 40-year history as the nation's preeminent teacher-recognition program. Hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching" the Milken Educator Awards inspire educators, students and communities to "Celebrate, Elevate and Activate" the K-12 teaching profession and encourage young, capable people to pursue teaching as a career. More than $75 million in individual financial prizes and more than $145 million have been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall.

"Anna Drew is a dedicated educator who creates a positive learning environment and empowers her students to reach their fullest potential," said Dr. Coons. "Her commitment to both her students and her community truly distinguishes her. She consistently demonstrates leadership within her school and is actively involved in developing and sharing instructional resources with her colleagues across the division. Through her strong work ethic, creativity and deep content knowledge, Drew has developed a comprehensive intervention plan to ensure all students succeed in her science classes. Educators like Drew, who are shaping the future of education through their dedication and passion, serve as true exemplars of the profound impact great teachers have on our communities. Congratulations on receiving the Milken Educator Award—this prestigious recognition is truly well deserved."

Outstanding educators like Drew are not aware of their candidacy for the Award. 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 Anna Drew

Real-Life Lessons Inspire Students: When you step inside Anna Drew's seventh grade science classroom at SMS, you will see firsthand how she brings science to life. Whether it is a hands-on DNA extraction lab using fresh strawberries and bananas to illustrate the concept of DNA; her annual March Mammal Madness project where students research mammals and pit them against each other in a battle to advance through brackets; or learning about the periodic table through hero and villain elements such as a fairytale, Drew's enthusiasm for science is contagious. She guides students in setting goals, based on prior performance data and work, delivers tailored curricula to meet their individual needs, and helps them track progress throughout the year. 

Mentor and Leader for Fellow Teachers: Drew's commitment and leadership extend beyond the classroom. As the seventh grade team leader and science department head, she regularly looks for ways to mentor new teachers. She participates on the instructional leadership committee and school improvement committee as well as serves as the Section 504 plan coordinator and is active in positive behavioral intervention and supports (PBIS). At the district level, Drew is a member of the science curriculum development committee and helped to design a comprehensive remediation and intervention program, which resulted in positive increases in middle school science outcomes. 

Service-Oriented Community Volunteer: In the community, Drew partners with Angel Tree as part of her sponsorship of the Junior Beta Club, to provide Christmas gifts to students in need. She coaches the school's volleyball and track teams and often holds open gym in the evenings and weekends for SMS teens. You can also find her tutoring students after school through her volunteer work with the local Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Virginia. Drew's lasting impact is demonstrated by the many former students who regularly return to visit her classroom. 

Education: Drew is a two-time graduate of Virginia Tech, earning her bachelor's degree in animal science in 2016 and Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction in 2017. 

The Milken Educator Award Reaps Lifelong Benefits 

• 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.
• 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 specific topic areas; and Activating Milken Educators promotes group collaboration in and across states to bring solutions to pressing educational needs.
• The honorees attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles April 1 -3, 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.
• Veteran Milken Educators demonstrate a wide range of leadership roles at state, national and international levels.

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 Future Belongs to the Educated"
The first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. Created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken, the Awards provide public recognition and individual financial rewards of $25,000 to K-12 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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