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Fresh Ideas to Promote Early Literacy Earn Florida Teacher April Crisci a $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Crisci's Westside Elementary School students thrive under the tutelage of the first-ever recipient from Hernando County School District

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

April 05, 2022

Santa Monica, Calif., — One might not believe their eyes seeing kindergarten students write and type a full paragraph all on their own. At Westside Elementary School in Spring Hill, Florida, April Crisci's students achieve that and more as they develop a foundation in literacy and love of learning. During spring 2020, student success in her collaborative classroom withstood pandemic interruptions, with 92% of Crisci's students ending on or above grade level in ELA and 98% meeting expected growth. Today at a surprise ceremony, Crisci's success was recognized with a national Milken Educator Award in front of appreciative colleagues, students, education officials and media. 

Florida Senior Chancellor of Education Jacob Oliva joined Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop to present Crisci with the prestigious recognition, including an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize to be used however she likes. 

Crisci is among more than 60 educators across the nation who will receive the recognition during the 2021-22 season, and the first recipient from Hernando County School District. Ashley Hernandez, a math teacher at Riverview High School in Sarasota, received the Award this morning. 

On top of today's celebrations, both Crisci and Hernandez will join the national Milken Educator Network of more than 2,800 exceptional K-12 educators and leaders across the country. Honorees receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles this June. 

"April Crisci exemplifies the forward-thinking strategies in education that Milken Educators strive to represent," said Bishop, who is herself a 2001 Milken Educator from Virginia. "Through encouraging classroom observations and bringing innovative instructional methods to Westside Elementary, she is strengthening the success of her students and supporting fellow teachers. The impressive abilities of the young students who leave her classroom speak for themselves: April's influence is equipping them to spring forward in their education. I congratulate April and welcome her into the Milken Educator Network." 

"Congratulations to April Crisci for being recognized with this prominent honor," said Senior Chancellor of Education Jacob Oliva. "Ms. Crisci is an asset to the teaching profession in Florida as she works hard to teach her students the early literacy skills they need to become successful. Ms. Crisci's dedication to the education profession can be seen through the time, effort and talent she commits to supporting her students as they persevere to achieve their goals." 

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 April Crisci

Learning Adaptation: When the school transitioned suddenly to remote learning in spring 2020, Crisci developed a plan for kindergarten and first grade, and she met daily with her team to make sure they felt supported. To address the learning interruptions caused by the pandemic in spring 2020, Crisci pushed to shift to her classroom's current vertical model, where she focuses on reading, language arts and social studies while another teacher handles math and science. 

Individualized Learning: Students are grouped based on ability rather than age or grade level, allowing for individualized learning experiences that provide extra support for those who need it and enrichment for students who are ready for deeper learning. 

Student Success: Kindergarteners leave Crisci's classroom able to write and type a full paragraph independently, and her students outperform their peers at Westside and in Hernando County. During spring 2020 even with the pandemic, 92% of Crisci's students ended on or above grade level in ELA, with 98% meeting expected growth. 

Strengthening Teacher Networks: Crisci welcomes colleagues from the building and district to observe in her classroom, and students are always eager to share what they are learning when visitors join them.  Always looking for fresh ideas, Crisci seeks out professional development and brings new strategies back to her classroom and peers, including LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling); Thinking Maps; and Sonday System, a multisensory intervention system for beginning readers. She serves on the district's ELA kindergarten task force and helped develop a fluid curriculum map that meets the rigor of state standards. Crisci chairs the Positive Behavior Support committee, mentors new and pre-service teachers, and encouraged Westside staff to participate in learning walks so teachers could observe each other's classrooms. 

Lasting Connections: Crisci builds strong relationships with her students and fosters a love of learning that follows them throughout their schooling. She keeps up with former students as they move up at Westside, and they frequently return to her classroom as visitors and volunteers. Crisci puts the same effort into building relationships with families, communicating with them frequently and working around any obstacles to make sure they can be involved in their children's education.

Education: Crisci earned a bachelor's in elementary education from University of South Florida in 2004.

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.

• At the Milken Educator Awards Forum, honorees 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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