Press Releases    All Press Releases

Southbridge Science Teacher Receives Surprising News: She Is the Next Milken Educator!

DESE Acting Commissioner Dr. Russell D. Johnston joins Milken Family Foundation's Greg Gallagher to present "Oscar of Teaching" 

February 07, 2025

Southbridge, Mass. — When sixth grade science teacher Jillian Lombardi walked into a school assembly with her students this morning, she expected to hear a presentation from DESE Acting Commissioner Dr. Russell D. Johnston celebrating the school's academic growth. However, the assembly took a surprising turn when another guest - Greg Gallagher, Milken Family Foundation senior program director - took the stage and called her name as the only teacher in Massachusetts to receive the Milken Educator Award in the 2024-25 season! The prestigious national honor also comes with a check for $25,000 that Lombardi can use however she chooses.

"Jillian Lombardi sparks curiosity, excitement and a genuine love of learning in her hands-on classroom," said Gallagher. "Her enthusiastic approach to education is contagious, and it is just one of the many ways she will contribute to the national Milken Educator Network. Congratulations, Jillian!"

Lombardi joins over 3,000 Milken Educators spanning the Awards' nearly 40-year history as the nation's preeminent teacher-recognition program. Hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching," the Milken Educator Awards inspire educators, students and entire communities to "Celebrate, Elevate and Activate" the K-12 teaching profession and encourage young, capable people to pursue teaching as a career. More than $75 million in individual financial prizes and more than $145 million have been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall.

"I could not be happier to see Jillian Lombardi recognized with this honor," said Acting Commissioner Johnston. "I have visited her classroom, I know the outstanding work she has done with OpenSciEd and I know she is a wonderful representative of all the Southbridge and Massachusetts educators who believe in their students and work so hard for them every day."

Outstanding educators like Lombardi are not aware of their candidacy for the Award. Recipients are sought out while early- to mid-career for what they have achieved — and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities afforded by the Award. 

More About Jillian Lombardi

Engaging Classroom Inspires Students: When you enter Lombardi's sixth grade science classroom, you will find students engaged in thoughtful, lively discussions about relevant, real-world, grade-level learning. Lombardi is a leader in her use of the inquiry-based OpenSciEd curriculum and has leveraged the materials to deliver instruction driven by student discourse, cooperative learning, and classroom engagement. Students' desks are arranged in a horseshoe, inspiring deeper discussion and communication among her middle schoolers. She builds relationships with her students and their families both in the classroom and throughout their extracurricular opportunities. From early morning to late in the evening, Lombardi is often found walking the halls of SMS, coaching girls’ basketball and tennis teams, attending school dances and cheering on students at the National Junior Honor Society induction ceremonies.

High Expectations Lead to High Growth for Students: Lombardi maintains high expectations for herself and her students and supports them in reaching their potential. She is known to make home calls to ensure students are diligent in completing their homework and serves as an advisor for students who need additional academic assistance. Her firm yet nurturing approach pays off. Her tennis team earned the "best academic achievement for a sports team honor." In her Student Advisory Group, Lombardi increased the percentage of students completing homework from two-thirds to 83%, and she has supported the middle school's schoolwide math goals by leading a daily math intervention and increasing math proficiency with her students on the iReady diagnostic year over year. She also makes interdisciplinary skills a priority, working with math and English language arts teachers on lessons that transfer learning from the classroom to the real world.

Leader, Mentor in School and Community: Lombardi's commitment to excellence extends beyond her classroom. She incorporates her interactive teaching methods into weekly professional development sessions for peer educators, leading Science Department Inquiry Group discussions for her colleagues and serving on the school’s Instructional Leadership Team. As the Science Department head, she mentors new teachers and is often called upon by her colleagues to help meet student challenges or offer constructive feedback on curriculum. Lombardi can also be seen supporting colleagues in service projects throughout the community.

Education: Lombardi earned her Bachelor of Science in animal science in 2017 from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Education in 2021 from the American International College in Massachusetts.  

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 in April, 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.

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 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.

---