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Jackson Fine Arts Teacher Strikes a Positive Chord, Surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Jackson Hole High School's Collin Binko presented with prestigious national honor for innovative teaching methods and outstanding leadership

March 12, 2025

Jackson, Wyo. — Jackson Hole High School Fine Arts Teacher Collin Binko had no clue that today's stop on State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder's Tour of Excellence would turn into the surprise of his life. During a schoolwide assembly celebrating the high school's positive student outcomes, Superintendent Degenfelder joined Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller to present Binko with an individual honor for his contributions: the Milken Educator Award for Wyoming. The prestigious, national honor – hailed as the "Oscar of Teaching" – recognizes educators for their dedication to excellence in education and leadership. Created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken, the Award includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize that recipients may use however they choose. 

"Collin Binko's dedication and exceptional aptitude for weaving together music, education and collaboration foster an environment where students thrive," said Fuller, who is a 2017 Texas Milken Educator herself. "His outstanding ability to infuse creative expression into all disciplines is positively impacting his students, colleagues, school and the community. Congratulations, Collin, and welcome to the Milken Educator Network!" 

Binko was honored as part of the Milken Family Foundation's 2024-25 Milken Educator Awards season. The tour will honor up to 45 pioneering professionals coast to coast, marking the 3,000^th Milken Educator in the Awards' ranks and celebrating a history of changing lives in communities across America. Since the presentation of the first Awards in 1987, more than $75 million in individual cash prizes and over $145 million have been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to "Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate" the K-12 profession and encouraging young, capable people to consider a career in education.

"Collin Binko exemplifies the power of innovative, student-centered teaching," said State Superintendent Degenfelder. "Through the power of music, Mr. Binko connects learning across other disciplines and builds true community within an extremely diverse group of students. His leadership and commitment to mentoring both students and fellow educators make him an invaluable asset to Wyoming's schools and a most deserving recipient of the Milken Educator Award." 

More about Collin Binko 

A Harmonious Transformation: In a district where one third of the students are multilingual learners, Jackson Hole High School Fine Arts Teacher and district K-12 Fine Arts Coordinator Collin Binko uses the language of music to inspire, encourage and enrich the lives of every student he encounters. Binko, previously the music teacher at Jackson Hole Middle School, was hired to transform the high school fine arts program after the JHMS program grew exponentially under his leadership, doubling choir enrollment in each grade level until there were no more seats available in the class. In guitar, band, choir and orchestra, Binko relates musical theory to core subjects, including math and reading, helping his students connect learning across the curriculum and increase their success.

A Symphony of Success: The relationships Binko builds with his students create the foundation for their confidence and love of music to blossom. As a saxophone player, his enthusiasm for the subject is evident. After he produced JHMS' first musical, "School of Rock," JHHS students expressed an interest in participating. Binko incorporated high school students into the musical production, inviting them to join the rehearsals and help with set design and other aspects of the program. This desire to create communitywide events motivated Binko to unite middle and high school students with the local Community Chorale for an audience singalong. Binko also helps with honor choir, JHMS climbing club, JHHS mountaineering club, and the pep band.

Amplifying Impact: A lifelong learner with a solutions-oriented mindset, Binko mentors educators in the K-12 music department and serves in the district's two-year competitive leadership program. He leads the high school music professional learning community and participates on the school improvement team. His community spirit shines in coordinating an annual performance with Cathedral Voices Choir, the town's local chorale group, and his Select Choir and Honor Choir. He can often be found at the middle school, mentoring the JHMS fine arts team, or coordinating the music program for students in the community. 

Education: Binko completed his Bachelor of Science in music education from Duquesne University in 2013. 

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, 2025, 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. 

The Milken Educator Award might come to a community near you! Who will be next? Join us as we surprise these remarkable individuals and celebrate their dedication to excellence in education! Follow the 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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