NEVADA – A third- and fourth-grade instructor at Florence Drake Elementary School in Sparks has been recognized as one of the greatest instructors in the United States.

Tuesday morning, Jason Murray was presented with the national Milken Educator Award in front of his school community. The award, established by Lowell Milken, comes with a $25,000 cash reward that Murray may use as he sees fit.

Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken, joined by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone M. Ebert, delivered the national accolade. In addition to today’s celebrations, Murray will join a national network of more than 2,900 Milken Educator Award honorees and other individuals committed to promoting K-12 education.

Lowell Milken remarked, “Jason Murray leaves an indelible mark on students, coworkers, and the community through his active engagement, excellent outcomes, and effective leadership in and out of the classroom.” “Jason has already proved that he is a champion for encouraging other capable individuals to join the field. It brings me great pleasure to welcome Jason to the national Milken Educator Network of excellence, where he will have the chance to broaden his influence.”

Milken Educator Awards are hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching” due to the unique stories of educators that make a significant impact on students, colleagues, and communities. Until each Award is disclosed, the individual states and schools on this year’s list of winners remain a well-kept secret. Recipients are lauded early to mid-career for their accomplishments and the potential of what they will do with the Award’s intrinsic resources and possibilities.

Mr. Murray, who is also a soccer coach, creates engaging classes with incorporated technology in order to maintain student interest. He employs daily formative tests to gauge student comprehension and adapts his teaching accordingly. He championed and assisted in the implementation of “Walk to Learn,” a school-wide initiative to promote student development in which teachers collaborate with all students and share responsibility for student achievements. Murray’s pupils and the school as a whole have made significant progress due in part to Murray’s efforts to promote instructional quality. Between 2018 and 2022, ELA competence at Drake Elementary rose from 48% to 70%, and math proficiency rose from 37% to 59%. In the 2021-22 school year, Murray’s math proficiency percentage of 82% ranked second among Title I elementary schools in the district. These outcomes contributed to Drake Elementary School’s 2022 designation as a National Blue Ribbon School.

In addition to the monetary award, awardees join the national Milken Educator Network, a network of more than 2,900 excellent teachers, principals, and specialists that is increasing. The network is a valuable resource for educators, legislators, school boards, and everyone committed to educational success.

Credits: Fox Reno

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