Phoenix elementary school principal named one of the top educators in the country
Phoenix principal Jeff Martin cried happy tears as he won the $25,000 Milken Educator Award, which names him one of the top U.S. educators.
PHOENIX — The principal of a Phoenix elementary school is $25,000 richer thanks to winning the Milken Educator Award.
Jeff Martin, the principal of Clarendon Elementary School, is the 45th recipient of the award in Arizona. He’s also the sole Arizonan to receive the honor for the 2024-25 season.
He cried happy tears after receiving the check at an assembly on Tuesday morning.
“I’m just so lucky to work with such amazing people every day, so thank you,” Martin said.
Details about educational award Phoenix principal of elementary school won
The Milken Educator Awards have been honoring teachers who excel in their field since 1987.
They’re the educational equivalent to the Grammy Awards and Nobel Prizes, according to the organization’s website.
The accompanying financial reward is unrestricted, so recipients can use it for whatever they like. While some recipients have spent the cash on their own continuing education, others have used it for field trips, establishing scholarships and even adopting children.
Why Phoenix principal was chosen for 2024-25 Milken Educator Award
Under Martin’s leadership, Clarendon Elementary School has:
- Had a high retention rate in face of the state’s widespread teacher retention struggles.
- Jumped its ranking from C to B.
- Received the Arizona Educational Foundation’s A+ School of Excellence Award.
He also revamped the Clarendon Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization and started Bring Your Special Person to School Day.
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne celebrated Martin’s accomplishments.
“There is no such thing as a great school without a truly talented and dedicated principal,” Horne said in a Tuesday news release. “Arizona salutes Jeff Martin for his exceptional service to his students, staff and local community and congratulates him on this prestigious Milken Educator Award.”
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Comments
3 Comments
Yes I do know what you mean by DEI but I'm guessing in his case, it's an earned position based on qualifications. I cannot begin to express how much it annoys me to see and read all the MAGA and UC1 attacks on DEI policies since that orange jerk took office.
Props to Principal Martin!
A feather in Arizona’s cap. Particularly given the state Republican Party’s years-long steady antagonism to public education.
Great to see it go to a “DEI” guy if you know what I mean and I think that you do.