Portsmouth Middle School counselor Kyle Spaltholz sat in the back of the crowd of educators and community leaders during an all-school assembly, unaware that the gathering in question was actually a surprise ceremony in his honor.

There, Spaltholz was awarded a Milken Educator Award on Thursday, Oct. 30, a national accolade from the Milken Family Foundation recognizing exceptional educators, often touted by the foundation as “The Oscars of Teaching.” The honor comes with a $25,000 check and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC, for an Educator Forum to network with other Milken-recognized educators from across the country, among other benefits.

“I do think that, while I am very appreciative of this award, I think this really is an award for this school, and it’s really all of us

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