Milken Educator Awards have recognized the nation’s top educators since 1987 with $25,000 in unrestricted award dollars. This recognition is one of the highest honors in the education world for early-to-mid career educators. The Milken Educator Awards focus on impressive achievements and for the potential of what they will accomplish in the future. West Virginia has had seventy-five award winners over the years, and this past year, both of the WV Milken Educator Award recipients are members of WVEA!

Heather Haught is a first grade teacher at McNinch Primary School in Marshall County. As a Project Lead the Way facilitator, Heather brings hands-on STEM activities to develop higher-level thinking skills and collaboration, building a stronger first grade experience for McNinch Primary. Heather also builds trusting community relationships with families and parents to ensure students have the tools needed to succeed. This is obvious with at least 90% of her students demonstrating proficiency on summative assessments in math and reading.

Michelle Wolfe is an English/Language Arts teacher at East Hardy High School located in Hardy County. Michelle teaches AP English Language, sophomore English, senior English, and creative writing. Her students publish their work, participate in writing competitions and perform original verse in poetry events. Her love for literature, poetry and writing is contagious, and her students excel because of the community she creates. When asked about her WVEA membership, she said, “Being a WVEA member gives me the opportunity to network with dedicated and passionate teachers in my county and state.” Michelle was recently appointed to fill an unexpired term on the WVEA Executive Committee.

To read more about your fellow members and the Milken Foundation, visit milkeneducatorawards.org.