Two Maine Teachers Received $25,000 and National Honors Today

The Milken Educator Award was given out today

While every day is a great day to brag about and appreciate educators, especially in Northern New England, today may be the greatest day to brag on two of our own Maine Educators, because they officially have proven themselves as tops in the nation. Today, multiple educators were receiving the Milken Educator Award, which according to the Milken Family Foundation,

"recognizes teaching excellence publicly not only to inspire educators, but also students and entire communities about the importance of joining the teaching profession."

Basically, according to the Foundation, the Milken Educator Award is considered "The Oscars of teaching" and comes with a hefty $25,000 prize as well.

One Maine teacher received her award early this morning

Earlier this morning, the students, faculty, and staff of the Smith School in Winterport, Maine, were all gathered together to celebrate the Read-A-Thon. What they didn't realize was that they were also all gathered to celebrate third-grade teacher Hillary Hoyt being named as one of the recipients of the Milken Educator Award as well as being presented with her $25,000 check.

Another Maine teacher won the award later in the afternoon

For the first time in Maine history, two Maine teachers were awarded the Milken Educator Award, as another Maine educator in addition to Hillary Hoyt received the award and the $25,000 as well. Just hours after Hillary received her honors, over in Poland, Whittier Middle School teacher Jamie Karaffa was named the second Maine recipient of the Milken Educator Award. Definitely a banner day for educators in the 207.

Hillary and Jamie both join Maine teachers Adam Parvanta, a teacher at Gorham High School, and Saco Middle School teacher Michaela Lamarre, who won the Milken Educator Award back in 2019 and 2015, respectively.

Congratulations to all of our Maine educators who do their best to mold the minds of the future every single day, and a special congratulations to the 2021 Milken Educator Award winners as well that were finally able to be honored today!