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Happy Birthday to ... the Next Milken Educator, Rocky Point Teacher Jessica Barnette!

Teacher makes history as school district's first Milken Educator and winner of $25,000

December 13, 2022

Rocky Point, N.C. — This year, kindergarten and first grade teacher Jessica Barnette is celebrating her birthday with cake, ice cream and … a surprise $25,000 Milken Educator Award! Barnette received the Award at a schoolwide assembly earlier today at Rocky Point Elementary School in Rocky Point where she was honored for her work in and out of the classroom. Barnette is Pender County Schools' first recipient of the Milken Educator Award, often hailed as the "Oscar of Teaching." 

Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop was joined by North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt to present Barnette with the prestigious recognition and the unrestricted cash prize to be used however she likes. 

Barnette is among up to 40 elementary educators across the nation who will receive the Milken Educator Award during the 2022-2023 school year. On top of today's celebration, she will have the opportunity to join the national Milken Educator Network of more than 2,900 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 in April 2023. 

"Seeing success in one grade is tremendous, but Jessica's excellent teaching skills have helped bring growth to her class of early learners in both kindergarten and first grade – a significant feat!" said Bishop, who is herself a 2001 Virginia Milken Educator. "Celebrating this Award together with a birthday is a special moment for all of us. We are proud of everything Jessica has done in her career and look forward to seeing her reach even greater heights." 

Marking its 35^th anniversary, the Milken Educator Awards inspire and uplift with the unique stories of educators making a profound difference for students, colleagues and communities. The specific states and schools on this year's winners' list remain a closely guarded secret until each Award is announced. 

Superintendent Truitt noted that early grade students at Rocky Point Elementary School are very lucky to get Jessica as one of their first – if not very first – teachers as they start school. "It's no surprise that Jessica is constantly requested by students and parents to loop to the next grade level with her from one year to the next," Truitt said. "She starts by creating great relationships with her students and their families and shows true excitement with their learning. And learn they do – virtually all of Jessica's students last year were above grade level on their mCLASS reading assessments." 

Since the initiative's inception, more than $140 million in funding, including more than $73 million in individual Awards, has been devoted to the overall Milken Awards initiative, which includes powerful professional development opportunities throughout recipients' careers. 

More About Jessica Barnette 

Research Drives Results in Her Classroom: Barnette believes in her students' ability to succeed. In her kindergarten-first grade classroom, she integrates research-based strategies to build blended and differentiated learning opportunities for the school's youngest learners. She pays close attention to data, creating measurable goals and tailoring interventions as needed. Her practices consistently produce positive growth for her students in both grade levels. Barnette never hesitates to dive into independent research to ensure the best outcomes for her students. And they are reaching their goals—in her 2021-22 K-1 blended class, all students ended the year at or above grade level on mCLASS reading assessments. 

Steps in – and Steps Up – to Help Educate and Lead: Barnette has served as grade-level chair and participates on the Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions (PBIS), data and school leadership teams. She mentors beginning and pre-service teachers, taking a collaborative and inclusive approach to helping them develop differentiated lessons, behavior management strategies and supplemental interventions. Barnette worked with Pender County Schools to design a K-2 report card and progress report for the district, as well as math curriculum resources. During the pandemic, she transitioned seamlessly to whole-group and small-group instruction online and helped colleagues navigate virtual instructional resources. To accommodate school staffing changes midyear, Barnette jumped in to create engaging standards-aligned lessons for instructional assistants and substitutes to make sure students' learning continued without interruption. 

Focuses on Student-Family Relationships: Culturally aware, creative and nurturing, Barnette begins her instruction with a focus on establishing positive relationships with students and their families. She goes above and beyond to make sure students feel safe and parents know their children are well cared for. Barnette's impact is reflected in her students' attitudes—they come to school excited to learn and eager to demonstrate their knowledge. 

Education: Barnette is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and holds a bachelor's (2015) and a master's (2018) in elementary education.

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

Along with the financial prize, recipients join the national Milken Educator Network, a group of more than 2,900 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 in Los Angeles in April 2023, 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 (MFF) mentoring program, in which new 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. 
• Veteran Milken Educators demonstrate a wide range of 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 receive 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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