Aldine teacher receives $25K national Milken Award

Carver High School teacher Justin Singleton

NORTHEAST– Carver High School teacher Justin Singleton received quite a surprise when he arrived at school on Tuesday, Oct. 9.
Unbeknown to him, an assembly was held in his honor to announce that he was the recipient of the prestigious Milken Educator Award.
Lowell Milken, co-founder and chairman of the Milken Family Foundation, was on hand to make the announcement to a stunned Singleton as his peers and students roared their approval of naming one of their own one of 80 middle school and high school teachers who are being honored this year for furthering excellence in education.
As a recipient of the Milken Educator Award, Singleton received an unrestricted financial award of $25,000.
“Teachers have the most important jobs in America,” Milken said. “We entrust them with the enormous responsibility of preparing our young people with the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to be successful in a most challenging 21st Century. The Milken Educator Award says, in a small way, that greatness in education must be recognized and rewarded.”

Singleton, who teaches world geography, said he was overwhelmed with the award.
“I’m speechless,” he said. “Thank you so very much. This is just amazing. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my life. I love what I do (teaching) and I do it to the best of my abilities.”
Unlike most teaching awards, the Milken Educator Award has no formal nomination or application process. Educators are recommended for the award without their knowledge by a blue-ribbon panel appointed by each state’s department of education. Candidates for the Milken Educator Award are selected on the basis of the following criteria:
•Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
•Exemplary educational accomplishments beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
•Strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
•Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.
Including this year’s selections, the Milken Educator Award has recognized more than 2,300 educators with more than $58 million since the awards inception.
Prior to making the announcement concerning Singleton’s award, former NFL great Rosie Grier delivered a motivational message to the audience. Also on hand for the announcement was acting Commissioner of Education Robert Scott, Aldine ISD Board President Marine Jones, Vice-president Steve Mead, Board Member Rick Ogden and Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg.