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Surprise! Frankenmuth Teacher Receives $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Luke Kanine makes history as the first teacher in Frankenmuth School District to receive the prestigious national honor

January 24, 2025

Frankenmuth, Mich. — It was an historic day at E.F. Rittmueller Middle School for middle school teacher Luke Kanine. When Kanine and his students arrived at the schoolwide assembly, they expected a visit from Michigan State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. Instead, Rice joined Milken Family Foundation Senior Program Director Greg Gallagher to surprise Kanine with the Milken Educator Award and a check for $25,000! Kanine, a Spanish and P.E. teacher and behavior interventionist, received the prestigious national honor in front of cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries and media. Today marks an historic day for Frankenmuth School District as Kanine becomes the first teacher in its history to earn this distinction. He is also the only Michigan educator to receive the Award in the 2024-25 season.

"Luke Kanine's whole-child approach illustrates his care and commitment for everyone he encounters at E.F. Rittmueller and within the community," said Gallagher. "Whether building Spanish language skills, helping people lead healthy lives, mentoring colleagues, or strengthening school culture, Luke loves this community, and it shows. We are proud to welcome him into the Milken Educator Network today."

Kanine 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.

"Congratulations to Luke for his outstanding work with Frankenmuth students," said Dr. Rice. "Encouraging children to set personal fitness goals, helping them learn a world language, and working to make school an engaging, safe space, whether they are in physical education or Spanish class, is a significant contribution to his students. Thanks to Luke and all the proud Michigan educators in our classrooms."

Outstanding educators like Kanine 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 Luke Kanine

Teaching Students to Care for their Mental and Physical Health: With an emphasis on social-emotional learning and a tailored, personal approach to education, Kanine ensures that his students challenge themselves and have the tools to achieve their potential. In P.E., Kanine encourages students to work toward personal records instead of competing, creating an environment where every child feels supported. He educates students on the importance of reading and understanding food packaging labels, equipping them with the knowledge and autonomy to make nutritious, responsible choices when fueling their bodies. Also, as a Spanish teacher, Kanine infuses innovation and fun into his lessons, encouraging students to increase their language skills while building confidence. They use mini white boards to monitor progress and participate in schoolwide holiday caroling, performing standard holiday songs in Spanish for their peers and school staff.

Focus on Social-Emotional Learning Empowers Teens: Kanine's empathetic and solution-oriented personality suits him in his role as a behavior interventionist. He helped create discipline policy and social-emotional-learning curriculum, works with students on behavioral improvement, and monitors grade checks. He stays up-to-date on the latest developments in restorative practices and discipline, attending conferences and presenting at professional development meetings. Also committed to supporting his colleagues, Kanine mentors teachers and initiated a wellness challenge that encouraged colleagues to take walks together, track their water intake, and work in teams to better themselves both physically and mentally.

Engaged Community Leader and Sports Coach: Outside the classroom, Kanine is a dynamic leader who actively contributes to the school’s success in multiple ways. He runs the concession stand at athletic events, using the funds raised to support the purchase of P.E. equipment. In addition, he created and launched parents' night out, where students can bond with friends, enjoy pizza, play video games and explore P.E. equipment—all while raising money for the school’s P.E. programs. Kanine is also a sports coach, coordinates the school’s field day, and co-advises honors night – a special event held at the end of the year that celebrates the achievements of eighth grade students.

Education: Kanine earned his Bachelor of Arts in secondary education from Alma College in 2013 and his Master of Education in educational leadership and administration from Grand Canyon 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, 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.

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