John Melandro, the William Floyd elementary school teacher who last fall received the prestigious Milken Educator Award and its surprise $25,000 check, recently returned from an unforgettable experience at the Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles—an event that he says changed the way he views his future in education.
Held at the Luskin Conference Center at UCLA, the two-day gathering brought together this year’s 45 national honorees, along with past recipients and education leaders from across the country. Melandro was the only winner from New York State.
“I had a lot of anxiety about the trip,” Melandro admitted in a recent interview. “Traveling across the country alone, especially right before our state testing—it was a lot. But it turned out to be an incredible experience.”
The forum began with a celebration of the winners’ accomplishments. Attendees were treated to a gala dinner, a grand entrance, and formal recognition for their achievements. Each honoree was awarded a $25,000 check, a hallmark of the Milken Family Foundation’s commitment to uplifting and investing in outstanding educators. But it wasn’t just about the accolades.
“The second day was all about what comes next—how to use this platform to lead and inspire,” said Melandro. “We heard from veteran award winners who’ve gone on to become school leaders, superintendents, even education policy advocates. It was eye-opening.”
For Melandro, who has spent the past six years engaging and inspiring his students at Tangier Smith Elementary School, the idea of stepping into a leadership role was both exciting and a little daunting.
“I’ve always felt like I was meant to be in the classroom,” he said. “I still get that same joy I did on my first day of student teaching. Leaving it is not an easy thought. But hearing from others who’ve made that transition—who are making change on a larger scale—got me thinking seriously about what’s possible.”
Melandro is already laying the groundwork. He’s currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership program at Stony Brook University and expects to complete it next year, earning certification as a school building or district leader.
“They helped me see how much impact you can have beyond your own classroom,” he said. “Through leadership, you have the chance to shape a school’s climate, its culture, to influence more students, more teachers. That really stayed with me.”
The trip also strengthened his connection with other Milken Award recipients. The honorees have stayed in touch since the forum, sharing resources and ideas and even exploring ways to collaborate across state lines.
“I had moments where I questioned whether I belonged in that room,” Melandro said. “There’s some impostor syndrome when you’re surrounded by so many brilliant educators. But by the end, I felt like I had a seat at the table.”
It was just months ago that Melandro’s life changed in a flash. At what was announced as a school assembly on safety, he was surprised by Milken Foundation senior vice president Dr. Jane Foley and told in front of a gymnasium packed with students and colleagues that he had won the national award. The crowd erupted. So did the internet. A video of the announcement went viral on local social media pages, garnering thousands of views.
“I went to work one day and came home a hero,” Melandro said, still clearly moved. “It was such a whirlwind—I didn’t even realize some of the people who were there that day. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.”
His students, too, remain thrilled. “They still talk about it all the time,” he laughed. “When I was on TV, they were watching it in class with a sub and couldn’t believe it. It was such a special moment for them, and I definitely want to do something fun for them when we’re back after the summer.”
Melandro plans to put part of the award money toward his upcoming wedding to fellow educator Hannah Michaelson in July. He also hopes to use some of it to give back to his students, whose excitement, he says, was a key part of what made the award day so unforgettable.
Reflecting on the forum and the larger journey, Melandro became emotional when recalling a college professor who once told him he’d change the world.
“She said I wasn’t going to be just any teacher—that I’d make a difference,” he remembered. “She’s passed since then, but I thought of her that day. She would have been proud.”
For now, John Melandro returns to the classroom with fresh inspiration, a growing national network, and a broader vision for what lies ahead. Whether from inside the classroom or at the helm of a school building, his passion for education—and his students—is unwavering.“I’m just so grateful,” he said. “This whole experience has been life-changing.”