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Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Milken Educator Award winner Holly Hunter honored by Gov. Kim Reynolds
Veteran third grade teacher and 2024-25 Milken Educator Award recipient Holly Hunter has been honored by Gov. Kim Reynolds with the presentation of the award at the state Capitol. Hunter's May 13 meeting with Reynolds and Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow was another highlight to a whirlwind year that started on Jan. 16 with a surprise announcement at Davis Elementary School that she was a Milken recipient. Hunter also received a trip to the Milken Educator Awards Forum in California and $25,000 to use as she wishes. The Milken is awarded to early to mid-career educators who are "furthering excellence in education," according to the organization's January news release. Hunter is one of 48 Iowa teachers who have received the national honor, according to the Iowa Department of Education's website. Related: Adel high schooler battles brittle bone disease to graduate high school Hunter — a 2011 Grinnell High School graduate — began teaching at Davis in 2017. Her connection to the community goes so far back that her current classroom is the same room where she attended third grade. "I love my job and my biggest thing is I love building relationships," she said in an interview with the Des Moines Register. "So, relationships with my coworkers is important and being visible and helpful on committees." Her classroom relationships are her No. 1 priority. "I think winning an award like this kind of validates that what you're doing is making a difference," Hunter said. Hunter was excited to meet Reynolds during the presentation. The two chatted briefly about Hunter's experiences in the classroom and Reynolds told Hunter about her own daughter's work as a teacher. Hunter also met with several people from the Iowa Department of Education. "It was my honor to present the 2024 Iowa Milken Educator Award to Holly Hunter! Holly is a third-grade teacher at Davis Elementary," Reynolds posted on social media. "With this award, she has been recognized as one of our country's finest educators!" Related: These 28 high school graduating seniors from the Des Moines area each have a story to tell In the January news release announcing, Snow congratulated Hunter on the award and praised her work with students. 'Across Iowa, dedicated educators like Holly are ensuring every student receives evidence-based instruction that empowers them to be proficient readers by the end of third grade,' Snow said at the time. 'Holly is a leader in schoolwide Science of Reading implementation, modeling best practices that have the greatest impact on student achievement and growth." Around Davis Elementary — which is part of the Grinnell-Newburg Community School District — Hunter is known for being a member of various committees, helping with school initiatives, her overall leadership and is a "family favorite as a third grade teacher," said Principal Brian Conway. Related: What to know about Iowa's fifth-place ranking for preschool attendance "Some of the reasons that she was nominated for (the Milken) is she's been taking on leadership opportunities within our building, in our district from a young age," he said. "And she is someone who works tirelessly to build really positive relationships with her kids and her families." Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@ Follow her on Twitter at @svhernandez or Facebook at This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Milken Award winner Holly Hunter honored by Gov. Kim Reynolds
Boston Globe
07-02-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Southbridge educator surprised with $25,000 Milken Educator Award
Southbridge Middle School teacher Jillian Lombardi high-fives her students after receiving the coveted 2025 Milken Educator Award and its $25,000 prize during a school assembly on Friday. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe More than 3,000 educators across the country have been given the award during the program's 40-year history. 'Ms. Lombardi brings her students a special blend of high expectations and strong support, all combined with humor,' Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler said in a statement. Known for her interactive classroom, Lombardi teaches Grade 6 science at Southbridge Middle. Her students consistently show up excited for her class, where they are encouraged to take their learning and discussions outside school walls, according to the foundation. The desks in her class form a horseshoe, allowing robust conversations with all her students. Her relationship goes beyond the classroom as she also serves as a coach for the girls' basketball and tennis teams and attends her students' extracurricular activities. At the rally, Massachusetts acting Education Commissioner Russell Johnston and Greg Gallagher, Milken Family Foundation senior program director, presented Lombardi the prize. 'Jillian Lombardi sparks curiosity, excitement and a genuine love of learning in her hands-on classroom,' Gallagher said in a statement Friday. 'Her enthusiastic approach to education is contagious, and it is just one of the many ways she will contribute to the national Milken Educator Network.' Related : Lombardi also dedicates her time mentoring her peers by leading weekly professional development sessions. She also serves as the science department head and on the school's Advertisement 'She is a wonderful representative of all the Southbridge and Massachusetts educators who believe in their students and work so hard for them every day,' Johnston said. The $25,000 prize can be spent however the recipients' see fit. Past recipients have used it for field trips and establishing scholarships. In April, honorees will attend a Milken Educator Awards Forum together in Los Angeles where they will collaborate on how to broaden their impact on K-12 education. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Auzzy Byrdsell can be reached at
