JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole High School (JHHS) held a surprise assembly on Wednesday, March 12, to acknowledge student academic accomplishments and to announce the recipient of the Milken Educator Award for Wyoming.
Students and teachers filled the school’s gymnasium in anticipation of what would be revealed.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, Teton County School District (TCSD) Superintendent Dr. Gillian Chapman, U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, the TCSD Board of Trustees, Lummis’s Field Representative Sarah Hale, Teton County Board of Commissioners Vice-Chairwoman Natalia Macker, Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr and Town Council members Kevin Regan and Jonathan Schechter were all on hand to join JHHS teachers and the student body for the big celebration.
Degenfelder told the crowd that she was there to celebrate JHHS and its accomplishments. She said that Teton County’s graduation rate of 93% is the highest of any high school of its size in Wyoming. Degenfelder also praised Teton County for its creativity and fearlessness for being one of nine districts in the state to join the RIDE (Reimagine and Innovate the Delivery of Education) pilot. According to the State of Wyoming, the RIDE initiative’s mission statement is to “help elevate Wyoming’s primary and secondary education system into a position of national leadership.”
“I want you all to think about a future in education,” Degenfelder told the students. “We are all here to recognize you all — that’s a pretty good surprise, right?”
She then added that there was a way bigger surprise, introducing Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller, to present the award. According to the Milken Family Foundation, the national honor — hailed as the “Oscar of Teaching” — “recognizes educators for their dedication to excellence in education and leadership.” The Milken Educator Award includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize that recipients can use however they choose.
On the students’ count of three, Dengenfelder opened the envelope to reveal that fine arts teacher Collin Binko won the national award. Fuller said that the Milken Family Foundation has given out 3,000 awards nationally in its history, and the only teacher to receive the honor in Wyoming this year was Binko.
Binko held back tears as he addressed the crowd.
“I have the best job in the world,” Binko said. “I am fortunate to come to work everyday. I care about all of you.”
Three JHHS students told Buckrail that Binko is their favorite teacher because he brings a unique creativity and enthusiastic energy to learning. Binko told the Milken Family Foundation that he didn’t expect the award, especially because there are so many strong teachers at JHHS.
“They are all rockstars,” Binko said.
