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Kevin Dailey of Union, Kentucky, Receives $25,000 Milken Educator Award for Developing Students into Citizens of the World

Social studies teacher brings history to life for eighth graders at Ballyshannon Middle School

February 23, 2022

Santa Monica, Calif., — At Ballyshannon Middle School in Union, Kentucky, Kevin Dailey's eighth graders are hooked on history. Along with emphasizing skills like writing and speaking, Dailey's lessons immerse students in important parts of U.S. history using project-based approaches to units on public policy, government and how the nation came to be. Today, Dailey's students witnessed a national event with personal impact as Dailey received a Milken Educator Award, surrounded by colleagues, education officials and media. 

At a surprise school assembly, Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman and Kentucky Commissioner of Education Dr. Jason E. Glass joined Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop to present Dailey with the prestigious recognition, which comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize Dailey can use however he wishes. In addition to today's fanfare, the Award carries lifelong benefits: Dailey will join the national Milken Educator Network of more than 2,800 outstanding educators and leaders dedicated to strengthening K-12 education. 

"Kevin Dailey uses hands-on, project-based learning as an excellent way to develop his students into independent thinkers and productive citizens of society and the world at large," Bishop said. "His creativity, care and compassion create a safe, nurturing environment where every student is heard and valued. I welcome Kevin into our Milken Educator Award family and look forward to the contributions he will bring to our national network." 

Dailey is among more than 60 educators nationwide who will receive the Award during the 2021-22 school year. He is the first Boone County Schools recipient since 1997.

"I am so happy to be in Boone County today with the Milken Foundation to celebrate Kevin Dailey, one of Kentucky's outstanding educators," said Kentucky Commissioner of Education Jason E. Glass. "Mr. Dailey works tirelessly in his pursuit of student success and intense desire to give back to his community. Not only does he challenge and engage his students through some of the most creative projects and innovative practices, he instills upon them the importance of being a good citizen. When eighth graders leave his classroom, they take with them a strong foundation that sets them up for positive experiences in high school." 

Two years ago, with the aid of students in Dailey's construction club, an outdoor library was built for the school and the community, Glass said. 

"This is a shared space where students and adults in the Ballyshannon community can drop off a book and take a book," Glass said. "I am told that Mr. Dailey takes great pride in this library and parents, teachers, students and community members love what the library provides as a book placed in the library will generally be gone within a week." 

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. 

More About Kevin Dailey 

Past to Present: Kevin Dailey brings U.S. history alive for his eighth graders. During a unit on the origin of goods and services during colonial times, the class invited faculty and staff to join them in a hot chocolate tasting, with different versions incorporating spices, salt and other savory flavors brought to America by colonists from different cultures and growing regions. They study colonial times by using clues to write journals that detail explorers' stories and looking at historical documents to create diagrams showing colonial relationships. Dailey emphasizes writing, speaking, listening and reading skills in his classroom, recognizing their ongoing importance to his charges' academic, personal and professional success. He collaborates with a science colleague for Project Citizen, a project-based learning program that teaches students about public policy and supports their efforts to press community and government leaders to effect change. With this strong foundation, it's no wonder the majority of his students take AP Human Geography as ninth graders, and more pupils enroll in AP European History in high school from Ballyshannon than from any other feeder middle school. 

Inclusive Curriculum: Dailey has a reputation as the district's strongest advocate for fact-based instruction and equity in education, leading the effort to reimagine a multicultural social studies curriculum that addresses bias and includes narratives that support all students. He was one of the first Ballyshannon teachers to promote standards-based learning and has developed multiple rubrics to measure students' mastery. 

Peer Leadership: Dailey is active in professional learning communities for his grade, building and district; participates in the district Aspiring Administrators Program; was elected by his peers to Ballyshannon's site-based council; and has presented professional development on the flipped classroom at the Kentucky Council for Teachers of Social Studies conference. He hosts teacher interns and is a leader on the school's Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports team, creating a student-run "spirit store" that rewards positive student behaviors. 

Lifelong Learning: Dailey has sought out many opportunities to enrich his instruction. He taught in China through the University of Kentucky's Confucius Institute and has attended the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions Teacher Training Institute and University of Louisville's McConnell Center for Teaching Scholars. Dailey is certified to teach "We The People," a program that promotes civic competence and responsibility for middle schoolers. 

Education: Dailey earned a bachelor's in 2011 and a master's in 2012, both in social studies secondary education, from the University of Kentucky.

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.

• The honorees will also attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum, 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 (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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