College of Education alumnus Mark Miazga moments after hearing that he is the recipient of a 2014 Milken Award. Photos courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation.
Considered the Oscars of teaching awards, the Milken Educator Award is given annually to 40 early- to mid-career secondary teachers throughout the United States who have demonstrated excellence in education. And this year, two of the recipients are graduates of Michigan State University.
Alumnus Mark Miazga, BA ’00 (English, Secondary Education), was completely stunned recently during a Baltimore City College High School assembly where not only was he the guest of honor, but a recipient of the no-strings-attached $25,000 Milken prize. Michael Milken, co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation, surprised Miazga with the award.
College of Education alumnus Mark Julien reacts to receiving a Milken Award.
Miazga, an English teacher, has taught at Baltimore City College in Baltimore, Md. for 13 years. He is considered by colleagues to be “a beloved teacher,” and also serves as the school’s baseball coach–Miazga’s students say he’s a teacher who makes a difference. Watch his reaction to the award.
Mark Julien, BA ’01 (English, Secondary Education), MA ’06 (Curriculum and Teaching), received his amazing surprise earlier in the school year during an assembly recognizing his school, Henry Ford II High School in Sterling Heights, Mich., as being in the top high schools in the nation. He was the first of the 40 Milken awards announced this year.
Julien also teaches English and coaches baseball. He is known for preparing students for college and the ACT through his own weeklong ACT workshop, as well as serving the entire Utica Community Schools district as an English Language Arts curriculum specialist. Watch Julien’s award announcement.
Founded in 1985, the Milken Family Foundation has supplied millions through the Milken Educator Awards program, in an effort to recognize, reward and inspire excellence in education.