Exceptional Kentucky Teacher Wins Prestigious Educator Award and Gets $25,000 Prize

It was an exciting Thursday morning at Newton Parrish Elementary School in Owensboro, KY.  Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, Education Commissioner Dr. Jason Glass and other local and state dignitaries were on hand for a school-wide pep rally, which was packed full of Newton Parrish faculty, staff and students.

Everyone knew they were celebrating the school's commitment to education, but no one knew they would be celebrating one particular educator from the school and giving her the surprise of a lifetime.

Also on hand for the event was the Milken Family Foundation, which created the Milken Educator Awards back in 1987.  Those awards are given to recognize teaching excellence and they're handed out publicly to honor educators and to "inspire students and entire communities about the importance of joining the teaching profession."

The Milken Educator Awards have been billed "The Oscars of Teaching" and, this year, we have an "Oscar" winner right here in Owensboro.

Representing the Milken Family Foundation was Dr. Jane Foley, who won her own Milken Educator Award back in 1994.

She energized the students with a rousing presentation about the importance of teachers and, of course, was on hand to announce this year's only winner from Kentucky.

Drum roll, please . . .

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Charlotte Buskill teaches 3rd grade at Newton Parrish and was absolutely shocked to learn that she was this year's winner.

Also on hand for the event was Kentucky Lt. Govenor Jacqueline Coleman, who is also an educator. She shared her thoughts about the importance of the profession and also echoed the praise for Charlotte Buskill's work at Newton Parrish.

Since the creation of the Milken Educator Awards, the Milken Family Foundation has granted over $73 million in individual $25,000 awards. That's an absolutely incredible stat and even more incredible that we have 2022 winner in the Owensboro City Schools System.