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$25,000 Milken Educator Award Takes Spectacular Southbury Music Teacher by Surprise

Ashley Dunne's impactful music education practices are benefitting students at Gainfield Elementary School and beyond

October 18, 2023

Santa Monica, Calif. — The culture across Gainfield Elementary School in Southbury, Connecticut, is joyful, collaborative and encouraging thanks in large part to K-5 music teacher Ashley Dunne. A recognized communitywide leader, Dunne's advocacy for accessible and innovative music education has forged connections across curriculum, contributing to overall student success. Today, her outstanding efforts were recognized nationally with the Milken Educator Award, along with a $25,000 cash prize that she can use however she chooses. 

What was initially a routine school assembly quickly turned into the surprise of a lifetime as Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker joined to present Dunne with the prestigious Award. Students, colleagues, dignitaries and media broke into thunderous applause as they learned Dunne’s dedication to education had not only captured the attention of the Southbury community — but also the nation. 

"Ashley Dunne harnesses the power music education holds in shaping the minds of young learners," said Dr. Foley, who is also a 1994 Indiana Milken Educator. "Just like her music, Ashley's impact fills the halls of Gainfield Elementary and into the community. With her enthusiastic leadership at the school and district levels, it is no surprise that students and teachers alike sing her praises. Congratulations and welcome to the Milken Educator Network of excellence." 

The Milken Educator Awards are hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching." Dunne is among up to 75 recipients across the country this school year who will be awarded 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.

"The Milken Educator Award recognizes and celebrates the exceptional work of educators and serves as a catalyst for inspiration," Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker said. "Ashley Dunne has proven to be the heartbeat of her school community, supporting numerous initiatives, mentoring, and continuously striving for professional growth. I congratulate Ashley on receiving this award and thank her for inspiring her students to become musicians through creativity, performance, and a deep love for music.”

Outstanding educators like Dunne 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. 

Along with the unrestricted financial prize, Dunne will join the national Milken Educator Network, a growing group of more than 2,900 professionals working to shape the future of education. Access to the network will provide her with greater opportunities to broaden her leadership and impact.

More about Ashley Dunne 

Elevating Music's Schoolwide Impact: Ashley Dunne's music room is a joyful environment where all K-5 students at Gainfield Elementary School are encouraged to explore their musical interests and talents. By allowing students to create, perform and respond to music, she fosters a love of learning that also benefits students' other areas of study. Dunne collaborates with colleagues to connect curriculum through core disciplines. When students learn about fractions in math, they learn about quarter, half and full notes in music. She immerses students in music from the time periods featured in their history lessons. A champion for her students, Dunne works with special education teachers to ensure all learners have continued access to music class. She utilizes student data to identify areas for growth and celebrates their successes.

Trailblazing Instructional Leadership: Dunne's involvement in the teacher advisory, scheduling, professional development advisory, curriculum development, health and wellness, and school climate committees is instrumental to student and staff success. As an instructional teacher leader for the district's K-12 music programs, Dunne increased student participation in chorus and instrumental activities by revamping the fifth grade instrumental music program, including the fourth grade student recruitment process. A lifelong learner, she elevates her instructional practices by presenting at and participating in conferences, mentoring student teachers, and observing lessons. Her collaborative nature and resilient spirit inspire continued growth in herself and her colleagues.

Promoting Positive Engagement: Dunne is a familiar face in the community. She promotes family involvement by encouraging parent participation in music classes, sending music newsletters, and volunteering for PTO events. Board of Education meetings come alive thanks in large part to her vibrant student recitals. Additionally, she teaches orchestra, chorus, and ukelele lessons. Students of all ages benefit from her instrumental mentorship program, where older students speak to younger students about the instruments they play.

Education: Dunne earned a bachelor's in music in 2010 from the University of Connecticut and a master's in education from the University of Bridgeport in 2012. She went on to earn a Kodaly Certification from the University of Hartford in 2018 and a sixth-year degree in SEAL (Social, Emotional and Academic Learning) from Sacred Heart University in 2019.

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. View the MEA MEDIA KIT online.

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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