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Mastic Beach, New York, Teacher Surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Tangier Smith Elementary School's John Melandro receives "Oscar of Teaching" for exceptional and innovative instructional practices, marking first-ever recipient in William Floyd School District

October 23, 2024

Mastic Beach, N.Y. — Tangier Smith Elementary School third and fifth grade teacher John Melandro received a heartwarming surprise at a schoolwide assembly this morning when he was presented with a Milken Educator Award. The prestigious national honor – created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken – recognizes exceptional educators for their dedication to excellence in education. Hailed as the "Oscar of Teaching," the Award was presented by Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley and Eastern Suffolk BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Jasmin Varela, and includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize that Melandro can use however he chooses. Melandro is the first-ever recipient in the William Floyd School District. 

"John Melandro's commitment to education is evident in every aspect of his classroom," said Dr. Foley, who herself is an Indiana 1994 Milken Educator. "John transforms his lessons into real adventures of learning, where students take charge of the subject matter, set goals, interact with peers, and build self-confidence and respect for others. He brings the same enthusiasm to his leadership at the school, helping to advance action plans, enhance character education and involve parents and families in their students' exciting journeys at Tangier Smith Elementary. It's no surprise John is known as the 'Magic Man!'" 

Melandro's event is 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.. This season will reach more than $75 million in individual cash prizes since the Awards' inception in 1987 and over $145 million 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.

"Congratulations to John Melandro on receiving the Milken Educator Award," said New York State Education Commissioner Dr. Betty A. Rosa. "This honor highlights his exceptional dedication to students and outstanding leadership among colleagues. Mr. Melandro, through his innovative teaching practices, inspires his students and fellow educators alike, fostering a collaborative environment that elevates the entire William Floyd School District community. On behalf of the Department and the Board of Regents, thank you for your commitment to excellence in education." 

More about John Melandro 

Unlocking the Magic of Learning: Hailing from a family of educators, John Melandro is adept at building relationships and tailoring instruction to his third and fifth grade students' needs at Tangier Smith Elementary School. Through his content mastery and passion for fostering student learning, Melandro grows student engagement, enthusiasm and curiosity about the world around them. Known as the "Magic Man," Melandro turns everyday subjects into exciting adventures by engaging students with innovative approaches and ensuring that learning is an enchanting experience for everyone. 

A Transformative Approach with a Focus on the Future: Melandro's teaching methods center around building fundamental skills in critical thinking and problem-solving. The many diverse ways through which he reaches students include project-based learning, manipulatives, "think-alouds," working in pairs and small groups, and incorporating culturally responsive tactics to ensure every student is valued, seen and heard. Students take responsibility for their learning and trust Melandro as a supportive guide who offers constructive feedback and closely monitors their progress for full understanding. Future-focused, Melandro partners with the district's Career and Technical Education program to provide his students with real-life learning experiences from guest speakers working in the fields of barbering, cosmetology and the culinary arts. These methods have translated into consistently high student performance and growth as measured by NWEA and New York State assessments. 

Leading by Example: Equally committed to expanding his professional development and leadership skills, Melandro analyzes assessment results, creates data-driven action plans, and leads meetings through his involvement on the school’s data team as a grade-level data ambassador. He also has helped implement a new Character Education program in the school as a committee member, and created online learning opportunities as an NYS assessment prep resource for his colleagues. Melandro is a teacher mentor and active in PTO and BOE meetings, contributing to greater parental and community engagement in students’ educational journeys. His classroom is used by teachers throughout the district as a model for observation. 

Education: Melandro earned his Bachelor of Arts in child study from St. Joseph's College (now St. Joseph's University) in 2017. He also received his master's degree in liberal arts from Stony Brook University in 2022. 

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 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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