11 Jan 2024

Milken Awards: Mississippi educators win ‘Oscars of Teaching’

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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.”

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.” 

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.”

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).

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