It was a thrilling moment for the students at Tangier Smith Elementary School and for one of their teachers, who was about to be surprised with a $25,000 Milken Education Award.
No one knew that an announcement was coming for the nationwide “Oscar of Teaching” award—they thought it was an assembly on school safety. Then, Dr. Jane Foley, the senior vice president of the award foundation from California was introduced. She spoke of a man named Lowell Milken, who started a program in 1987 that has granted $75 million to 3,000 teachers all over the country. Some previous winners, including Dr. Foley herself, said a few words on what the award meant to their careers.
Dr. Foley had some students come up, and they held signs with dollar amounts starting at $25. They were asked to imagine how big a teacher’s award could be. The kids cheered at $250 and roared at $2,500, and then when she said it would be $25,000, they were blown away.
“Envelope, please,” Foley called out. “The winner of this year’s Milken Educator Award is…John Melandro.”
The elementary school teacher was floored. He had no idea it was coming. They had him call his fiancé, a teacher at Sayville High School, and she couldn’t believe it. “We can use it to pay for the wedding,” Hannah Michaelson quipped.
“I’m just so honored, overwhelmed, and grateful,” the honoree told the crowd of students, teachers, administrators, local officials, and members of the school board in attendance. “Stepping through the doors here six years ago, l felt like this is home,” he said, thanking those who guided and helped him.
Melandro comes from a family of educators and is known by his students as the “Magic Man” for turning everyday subjects into exciting adventures. He was cited for tailoring his instruction to the needs of his third and fifth-grade students and building relationships with them. Through his content mastery and passion for learning, he grows student engagement, enthusiasm, and curiosity about the world around them.
The St. Joseph’s College grad helped implement a new Character Education program for the students and created online learning opportunities as a state assessment prep resource for his colleagues. The award winner also holds a Masters Degree in Liberal Arts from Stony Brook University and has set himself apart with teaching methods that build fundamental problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. He reaches his students through project-based learning, "think-aloud," and incorporating culturally responsive tactics to ensure every student is valued, seen, and heard.
In his classes, the children take responsibility for their learning and trust Melandro as a supportive guide who offers constructive feedback and closely monitors their progress for full understanding. Future-focused, the teacher partners with the district's Career and Technical Education program to provide his students with real-life learning experiences from guest speakers in barbering, cosmetology, and the culinary arts. These methods have translated into consistently high student performance and growth.
Melandro was also recognized for his commitment to expanding his own professional development and leadership skills. He analyzes assessment results, creates data-driven action plans, and leads meetings through his involvement on the school's data team as a grade-level data ambassador. He is a teacher mentor and active in PTO and BOE meetings, contributing to greater parental and community engagement.
The William Floyd School District event is part of the Milken Family Foundation's 2024-25 awards season. They will be busy honoring 45 pioneering professionals coast to coast, celebrating a history of changing lives in communities across America. This year, they will hit the $75 million mark in individual cash prizes given out since the Awards' inception, and over $145 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall. The foundation looks to empower recipients to "Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate" the K-12 profession and encourage young, capable people to consider careers in education.