An English Arts teacher at Taylor County High School has been named a Milkin Family Foundation Educator Award winner.
Sydney Newton was honored on Tuesday as the latest Kentucky educator to receive the prestigious award. She was presented with the award, which includes a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize, in a surprise ceremony at Taylor County High School that included students, faculty, and district and community leaders.
The award, hailed as the “Oscars of Teaching,” was presented by Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Jane Foley.
“Educators such as Mrs. Newton exemplify the positive impact that arises when teachers are committed to delivering the highest quality education to their students,” Fletcher said. “Her presence in the classroom and in the community elevates those around her. She is a shining example of what it means to be ‘All in.'”
Newton said it was an amazing feeling when she heard Foley announce her name as the newest Milken Educator.
“Right before I heard my name, I thought we have a million outstanding educators here in our district,” Newton said. “And then I was just in shock at this when I heard my name.”
Newton has been an English language arts teacher for Taylor County since her teaching career began in 2016.
Newton has led the effort to revamp the scope and sequence of English II to increase rigor and provide additional student safety nets. She also piloted a program to offer Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition to sophomores, designing the course in a way that allows the younger students to handle the elevated concepts of AP English.
Newton is additionally credited for helping raise Taylor County High School’s results on the Kentucky Summative Assessments over the past several years, particularly because she works with 10th-grade students, who are one of the testing groups each year.
“The Milken Award is the highest honor that an educator can receive,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “It recognizes excellence in teaching and unmatched dedication to students. That certainly sums up Sydney Newton. She serves the Taylor County community with distinction and has positively impacted the lives of countless students. All of Kentucky is proud of you, Sydney.”
Newton has taken several leadership positions at the school, including roles as a new teacher mentor, the school’s non-traditional instruction lead and as a school-based decision making council member, among several other roles.
Newton has been praised for her ability to connect with her students and the Taylor County community. She’s part of the security team that greets students every day and she either serves or has served as the Beta Club sponsor, a digital learning coach and the yearbook advisor.
“Sydney Newton is an exceptional role model for the students and staff of Taylor County High School,” said Foley, herself the recipient of the 1994 Indiana Milken Educator. “Her dedication is unmatched. Whether leading in the classroom, implementing exciting programs, mentoring colleagues or guiding student clubs to championships, Sydney is constantly raising the bar. Congratulations, and welcome to the Milken Educator family.”
Created by Lowell Milken in 1987, the Milken Educator Awards publicly recognize excellence in teaching to inspire educators, students and communities to “Celebrate, Elevate and Activate” the American K-12 teaching profession.
Milken recipients do not apply to receive the award. Candidates are selected through a confidential process and are then reviewed by blue ribbon panels appointed by state departments of education.
This season will reach more than $76 million in individual cash prizes since the first Milken Educator Award presentation in 1987 and more than $146 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to broaden their impact and encouraging young, capable people to consider a career in education.
For more information about Newton and links to photos and a video from the ceremony, visit the Milken Educator Awards website.
(Photo: Sydney Newton, an English language arts teacher at Taylor County High School, reacts to learning she just received the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award during a surprise ceremony at her school, courtesy of Joe Ragusa, Kentucky Department of Education)
By The Kentucky Dept. of Education and Ken Howlett, News Director
