Three Mississippi teachers are the recipients of national Milken Educator Awards and an unrestricted cash prize of $25,000 for their excellence and innovation in education across the state.
Jennifer Hite, Kristien “Krissy” Long, and Anna Katherine Davis were presented the awards by Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop during separate schoolwide assemblies this week.
Hite — a fifth-grade science teacher at Pearl Upper Elementary — was the first to be revealed as one of this year’s winners after Interim State Superintendent of Education Dr. Raymond C. Morgigno commended the school on earning an A rating.
“She creates a dynamic learning environment that fosters hands-on experiences for her students and sets the stage for this next generation of curious minds,” Bishop stated. “She is poised to bring positive contributions that will resonate far beyond her community, shaping the future of education and serving as a model of excellence in the field.”
“And the #MilkenAward goes to…JENNIFER HITE!” Pearl Upper Elementary went WILD when we named the 5rd grade science teacher a 2023-24 Milken Educator Award recipient — listen to those cheers!
Meet the newest Mississippi Milken Educator: https://t.co/i7PM3xZHes@PearlPSD… pic.twitter.com/Dg8B3HIKpK
— Milken Family Fdn (@Milken) January 10, 2024
That same day, Morgigno announced that Long was the state’s second recipient of the award during an all-school assembly at Neshoba Central Elementary, where she works as a fifth-grade teacher of science and mathematics.
“Krissy Long is a beacon of inspiration for her students and illuminates a path to excellence for them through her immense dedication and creativity,” Bishop explained. “Her inspiring instructional practices, unwavering commitment to her students, school, and community, and seamless integration of real-world applications into her math and science curriculum are some of the ways she personifies the qualities of a Milken Educator.”
Here’s the moment 5th grade math and science teacher Kristien Long learned she’s joining the Mississippi #MilkenAward network of outstanding educators — instant tears and deafening cheers from her students and colleagues! Watch her career-changing recognition unfold at Neshoba… pic.twitter.com/Tc46f9InOB
— Milken Family Fdn (@Milken) January 10, 2024
Houston High School math teacher Anna Katherine Davis was unveiled as being the third and final Mississippi educator to receive the award this year.
“Anna Katherine Davis is a go-to expert for engaging students in math and using innovative approaches to maximize student potential,” Bishop added. “Her leadership has far-reaching impact, motivating students to become independent thinkers, supporting colleagues, and making positive contributions to the school and broader community.”
We’re wrapping up our tour of the Magnolia State by surprising the final Mississippi Milken educator for this award season. Congratulations to Anna Katherine Davis, math teacher and proud alum of Houston High School, for winning a $25K #MilkenAward. Anna Katherine’s commitment to… pic.twitter.com/vGgIMeqoix
— Milken Family Fdn (@Milken) January 11, 2024
Hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the awards will honor up to 75 recipients across the country this year as part of the Milken Family Foundation’s Journey to the 3,000th Milken Educator.
The awards will reach a total of $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.
Now, the honorees will be invited to attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles this June, 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.
In addition, honorees receive numerous mentorship opportunities for expanded leadership roles that strengthen education practice and policy through Milken Friends Forever (MFF), the Expanding MFF Resource and Explorer Program, and Activating Milken Educators (AME).
