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In Casper, Wyoming, Rebecca Junge Reimagines the Classroom – and Realizes a $25,000 Milken Educator Award

First Lady Jennie Gordon and Wyoming Superintendent Brian Schroeder join Milken Family Foundation to honor Junge for imaginative teaching at Journey Elementary School

Oprah Winfrey congratulates Milken Educators in heartwarming video message as 'light in this world'

March 25, 2022

Santa Monica, Calif., — It's an escape room! It's a circus! It’s a polling place! Actually, it's Rebecca Junge's fourth grade classroom. At Journey Elementary School in the Natrona County School District, Junge (pronounced "Young") has set new expectations for lesson plans that capture the attention and creativity of her students. Examples include translating their favorite games like "Super Mario" and "Among Us" into practical skills. Junge never imagined that today, surrounded by cheering colleagues, students, education officials and media, she would receive a Milken Educator Award for broadening her students' horizons. 

First Lady Jennie Gordon and Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder joined Milken Educator Awards Senior Program Director Greg Gallagher to present the national recognition, which includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize. Wyoming U.S. Senator John Barrasso participated in the celebration to congratulate Junge and recognize Journey's educators for the important work they do every day.

Junge will join a national network of more than 2,800 Milken Educator Award recipients across the U.S.

"For Rebecca Junge, education is a living experience where students learn to think independently, explore self-identity and engage as productive citizens in our society," Gallagher said. "I commend Rebecca for blazing this important path at Journey, and proudly welcome her into the national Milken Educator Network." 

Junge is among more than 60 educators coast-to-coast who will receive the Award during the 2021-22 school year and the second recipient from Wyoming. Aaron Kruger, a social studies teacher at Central High School in Cheyenne, received the Award earlier this morning. The last recipient from the Natrona County School District was awarded in 2007.

"As this season's recipient of the Milken Award, Rebecca Junge is everything a teacher should be - and she fulfills her role that goes above and beyond all expectations," said Brian Schroeder, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Caring, incredibly creative, obviously very hard-working, it's teachers like Rebecca who will inspire some of our youth to become the same. Besides all of her other notable accomplishments in the classroom, I especially love what she’s done with financial literacy and what she does with special needs kids. Congratulations, Rebecca, and thank you for what you have done with - and for - our youth. You are one of Wyoming's finest teachers and we are in awe of you." 

Hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching," Milken Educator Awards inspire and uplift with the unique stories of educators making a profound difference for students, colleagues and communities. The Awards are not designated for lifetime achievement. Recipients are heralded while early to mid-career for what they have achieved — and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities inherent in the Award. 

Oprah, a longtime education advocate, shared her congratulations to this year’s recipients in a video message thanking “the most incredible educators around the country” and acknowledging her deep appreciation for the “tireless work” they do. 

More About Rebecca Junge

Civic Engagement: Junge was one of the first Journey teachers to implement WyoTowne, a civic engagement and financial literacy program for students across Wyoming. As part of the program, Junge transforms her classroom into a campaign headquarters, where the electoral process comes to life as students run for class mayor. She has become a go-to resource for WyoTowne educators statewide. Junge's student mayor was invited to speak and deliver a proclamation at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming WyoTowne breakfast. 

School Leadership: As the fourth grade team leader, Junge dives into student data to help develop strategies that best serve learners' needs. She leads Journey's math team, sits on the school leadership team, and serves as building assessment facilitator and NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) coordinator. Junge embraces the culture and methodology of project-based learning and shares her expertise freely with colleagues. She will drop everything to help a colleague, including adapting to shifting technology and strategies through the pandemic. 

Giving Back: Community service is a priority for Junge, who comes from a family of special education teachers. She has coached athletes, coordinated events, raised money and recruited volunteers for the Special Olympics. Junge volunteers for Our Camp Inc., a summer camp for individuals with disabilities, and helps put on "Night to Shine," a prom for special needs youth. Junge brings this passion for service to her students, organizing class volunteer activities and UNICEF fund drives.

Education: Junge earned a bachelor's in elementary education in 2012 from the University of Wyoming and a master's in curriculum and instruction in 2016 from Adams State University.

More About the Milken Educator Awards: "The future belongs to the educated."

Along with the financial prize, Milken Educator Award recipients join the national Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,800 top teachers, principals and specialists. The network serves as a rich resource for fellow educators, legislators, school boards and others dedicated to excellence in education.

• The honorees will also attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum, where they will network with their new colleagues as well as veteran Milken Educators and other education leaders about how to increase their impact on K-12 education. In addition, they will learn about how to become involved in the Milken Friends Forever (MFFs) mentoring program, in which freshman Milken Educators receive personalized coaching and support from a Milken Educator veteran on ways to elevate their instructional practice and take an active role in educational leadership, policy and practice.
• Over the years, more than $140 million in funding, including $70 million for the individual cash awards, has been devoted to the overall Milken Awards initiative, which includes powerful professional development opportunities throughout recipients' careers. 
• Veteran Milken Educators frequently go on to serve in leadership roles at state, national and international levels. 
• "We find you. You don't find us!" Unlike most teacher recognition programs, the Milken Educator Awards initiative has no formal nomination or application process. Candidates are sourced through a confidential selection process and then reviewed by blue ribbon panels in each state. The most exceptional candidates are recommended for the award, with final selection made by the Milken Family Foundation. 
• The $25,000 cash award is unrestricted. Recipients have used the money in diverse ways. For instance, some have spent the funds on their children's or their own continuing education, financing dream field trips, establishing scholarships, and even adopting children.  

To get regular updates on the surprise Milken Educator Award events or to watch the award events unfold, follow and use the #MilkenAward hashtag on Facebook (@MilkenEducatorAwards), Twitter (@Milken), YouTube (/MilkenAward), Instagram (MilkenFamilyFdn), and TikTok (@MilkenAward).

For more information, visit MilkenEducatorAwards.org or call the Milken Family Foundation at (310) 570-4772.

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

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