Celebrate! Elevate! Activate! The 2025 class of Milken Educator Award recipients traveled from every corner of the country to attend the Milken Educator Awards Forum, “Milken Educators Leading the Way,” held in Washington, D.C. in June. The event provided a powerful opportunity for honorees to network, learn to take their impact to the next level, and be celebrated at the Spotlight of Excellence Gala in deserved celebrity fashion.

Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken hosted the 2025 Awardees, officially recognizing New York Milken Educator Award recipient Harry Shontz with his unrestricted $25,000 cash prize. Shontz is a social studies teacher at The Leffell School in Hartsdale.

“Each 2025 Milken Educator embodies the steadfast leader, mentor and guide every student deserves,” said Lowell Milken. “From the inaugural class of twelve outstanding California educators, the Milken Educator Network is now more than 3,000-strong, representing diverse communities across the country. We celebrate the induction of 27 professionals who are building a brighter future for thousands of young Americans and our nation itself.”