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Cinnaminson High School Teacher Surprised with National $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Riley Gartland becomes second New Jersey teacher this season to be honored during coast-to-coast tour recognizing excellence and innovation in education 

October 11, 2023

CINNAMINSON, N.J., — Riley Gartland, a math teacher at Cinnaminson High School, was surprised at a schoolwide assembly in front of cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries and the media today when she was presented with the prestigious Milken Educator Award. Bestowed by the Milken Family Foundation, the Award comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize and honors exceptional educators across the country for their innovation and excellence. Gartland is the first-ever recipient from Cinnaminson Township Public Schools and joins Taylor Trost, a fourth grade teacher at Grace Norton Rogers Elementary in Hightstown, who was surprised with the Award earlier today.  

Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley was joined by New Jersey Department of Education Chief of Staff Julie Bunt to present Gartland with the prestigious honor.   

"Riley Gartland's skill to engage and advance students and colleagues alike makes her a valuable asset to Cinnaminson High School and the entire community," said Dr. Jane Foley, who is a 1994 Milken Educator herself. "Riley's steadfast dedication inspires students to meet high expectations and pursue STEM careers, both essential to strengthening our future success as a nation. I welcome her to the Milken Educator Network and look forward to the impact she will make on teachers and students throughout her career."  

Hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching," the Awards will honor up to 75 recipients across the country this school year as part of the Milken Family Foundation's Journey to the 3,000^th Milken Educator. This season will reach $75 million in individual financial prizes spanning the length of the initiative and more than $144 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to "Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate" the K-12 profession and inspiring young, capable people to pursue teaching as a career.  

"Congratulations to Riley Gartland, an education trailblazer at Cinnaminson High School, on the achievement of her Milken Educator Award," said Acting Commissioner of Education Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan. "Riley seamlessly combines high standards with a nurturing learning environment as she fosters student achievement through real-world math applications. Beyond the classroom, Riley's leadership shines as she mentors students, leads school activities, and enhances colleague collaboration, making her a deserving recipient of the Milken Educator Award."
  
More About Riley Gartland  

Individualized Instruction Garners Collective Achievement: Gartland creates a safe space for learning while setting high standards for her students at Cinnaminson High School, where she teaches 9th, 11th and 12th grade math. In the six years she has been in education, she has already made great strides by taking the accelerated calculus program from one class of 20 to two full sections. Gartland uses real-life applications of math to bring her classroom to life. Students create board games, make Sierpinksi triangles and use current math technology like Desmos to create art. Gartland creates individualized achievement plans for each student by pre-testing to determine their current level, and incorporates one-on-one meetings to provide tailored support. These efforts have led to notable achievement growth among students of all abilities, with many consistently outperforming the county and state.  

A Trusted Mentor and Leader: A role model outside her classes, Gartland's classroom is often full of students at lunch. She serves as the school National Honor Society advisor, planning the induction ceremony and reception, as well as chaperoning the prom and a senior class trip to Disney World. She serves as the freshman class advisor, mentoring students during all four years at Cinnaminson, and plans fundraisers, spirit week and the school blood drive. Gartland's leadership extends beyond her classroom to her collaboration with the math department. She shares her data analysis resources with colleagues and helps develop lessons for students to see strong ties to learning standards and consistency across classes.  

Heightened Morale Heightens Positive Impact: Active in professional development and committed to a positive school environment, Gartland leads the Sunshine Committee, which aims to improve teacher morale and reward colleagues' commitment to the school. Teachers are offered dress-down days for participating in school activities with prize-filled scavenger hunts held before long breaks. During district professional development, Gartland has been instrumental in training colleagues on new technology and resources, including helping colleagues more seamlessly implement remote instruction during the pandemic.   

Education: Gartland received a Bachelor of Arts in education and mathematics from Rowan University in 2016. 
 
More about the Milken Educator Award Journey: "The Future Belongs to the Educated"   

• The honorees attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles in June 2024, 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.    
• 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 a specific topic area; and Activating Milken Educators (AME) promotes group collaboration in and across states to tackle pressing educational needs.   
• Veteran Milken Educators demonstrate a wide range of leadership roles at state, national and international levels.    
• 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.       

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 first Milken Educator Awards were presented by the Milken Family Foundation in 1987. Created by Lowell Milken, 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 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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