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Mississippi Science Teacher Surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award for Exceptional, Innovative Instructional Practices and Student Achievement

During coast-to-coast tour, Pearl Upper Elementary's Jennifer Hite recognized as national model of educational excellence

January 10, 2024

Pearl, Miss. — Fifth grade science teacher Jennifer Hite received the surprise of a lifetime this morning at Pearl Upper Elementary when she was presented with a national Milken Educator Award bestowed by the Milken Family Foundation. The Award honors exceptional educators for excellence and innovation in education and includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize that recipients may use however they choose. Students, colleagues, dignitaries and media gathered during the schoolwide assembly under a visit from Interim State Superintendent of Education Dr. Raymond C. Morgigno commending the school's A rating. Yet when Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop was introduced, excitement and anticipation filled the room.    

"Today we celebrate Jennifer for her outstanding dedication to her students, her school and her community," said Bishop, who herself is a 2001 Virginia Milken Educator. "She creates a dynamic learning environment that fosters hands-on experiences for her students and sets the stage for this next generation of curious minds. She is poised to bring positive contributions that will resonate far beyond her community, shaping the future of education and serving as a model of excellence in the field. We congratulate you, Jennifer, and look forward to the impact you will continue to make for years to come."  

Hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching," the Awards will honor up to 75 recipients across the country in 2023-24 as part of the Milken Family Foundation’s Journey to the 3,000^th Milken Educator. 2023-24 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 Mississippi Department of Education congratulates Jennifer Hite for earning this national award due to her exceptional dedication transforming the learning landscape of her science classroom at Pearl Upper Elementary," said Dr. Morgigno. "Her commitment to her students and profession is extraordinary, and we celebrate her well-earned achievement."   

More About Jennifer Hite  

Transforming Learning Through Creativity: Hite's commitment to fostering a love for science is palpable in the vibrant and positive atmosphere she cultivates. By transforming common areas of the classroom into a model of the moon's cycle, Hite goes beyond traditional teaching methods, turning her classroom into an immersive experience. Infusing creativity into every instructional practice, Hite dresses for the curriculum theme, whether bundling up during the arctic climate unit or wearing a "What's the Matter?" T-shirt when exploring the concept of solids, liquids and gases. 

Fueling Curiosity Beyond the Classroom: Hite's impact extends beyond her classroom as she chairs the school's geography bee and serves as a student council supervisor. Her innovative and creative teaching methods encourage her students to develop a love for science, making her classroom a haven for learning and exploring their curiosity about the world around them. During the challenges posed by COVID, Hite made digital learning a joy for her students through compelling science videos. She also stepped in to support colleagues and substitute teachers. Most recently, she spearheaded a variety of community service projects, including holiday kettlebell ringing to help raise funds for a local nonprofit; schoolwide fundraising initiatives; and the Promote the Vote project to encourage student participation in the voting process. 

A Leader in the School and Community: Beyond the classroom, Hite plays a fundamental role at the school and community levels. As the science chair, she helps shape the school's curriculum and is an active member of the school leadership team. Her commitment to mentoring student teachers and first-year educators reflects her dedication to nurturing the next generation of teaching professionals. Hite serves on the state Science Content and Data Review Committee, collaborating with teachers across the district, offering expertise, sharing best practices, and welcoming others to observe her classroom in action. She has presented at district exhibitions, served on the Superintendent Advisory Committee and actively participated in the Counseling Committee, demonstrating a holistic approach to education with a focus on social emotional learning. 

Education: Hite earned a Bachelor of Science in education from Mississippi State University in 2008.  

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 this June, 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.    

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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