Ohio Hi-Point Career Center teacher Ryan Gilbert, center, holds his check for $25,000 as presented to him by the Milken Family Foundation Thursday, Nov. 30. Pictured with Gilbert are, from the left, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Chief of Communications Lacey Snoke; Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Education Program Specialist Kristen Blazsik; Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Associate Director of Educator Workforce Jill Grubb. Jessica Voltolini, interim director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce; Milken Educator Awards Senior Program Director Greg Gallagher; and ODE Senior Executive Director Julia Simmerer (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)
Ohio Hi-Point Career Center 11th and 12th-grade English teacher Ryan Gilbert received the surprise of a lifetime Thursday, Nov. 30, during a special assembly at his school.
The 16-year OHPCC educator was honored as one of up to 75 recipients nationwide of the 2023 Milken Educator Award, accompanied by a $25,000 financial prize he can use however he chooses.
Hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the 2023-24 Milken Educator Awards will reach $75 million in individual financial prizes spanning the length of the initiative and more than $144 million invested in the national network overall, empowering recipients to “Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate” the K-12 profession.
Thursday morning, students, colleagues, dignitaries and media gathered at OHPCC for what was initially thought to be an all-school assembly with Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Interim Director Jessica Voltolini.
Then the event switched course, erupting into cheers when Voltolini welcomed Milken Educator Awards Senior Program Director Greg Gallagher to surprise Gilbert with the prestigious Award, recognizing his work as a model for the state and nation.
“Ryan Gilbert is inspiring his students to not only care about the curriculum, but also to explore their passions and future endeavors through an academic lens,” said Gallagher.
“Every day Ryan finds new ways to illustrate how his lessons will translate outside of the classroom and into life. I am thrilled to see how his zest for education will inspire the national Milken Educator Network moving forward. Congratulations, Ryan.”
For a detailed story, see Saturday’s Examiner.
