Joel Hudec, right, received his $25,000 prize from Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken. (photo courtesy of the Milken Educator Awards)

California Milken Educator Award recipients Joel Hudec and Dr. Ellen Dooley were formally recognized during the 2025 Milken Educator Awards Forum, held June 12-14 in Washington, D.C.

Hosted by Milken Educator Awards founder Lowell Milken, the annual forum brought together the 2025 class of 27 Milken Educator Award recipients from across the country for professional development, networking and recognition. The event concluded with the Spotlight of Excellence Gala, where recipients were honored and officially presented with unrestricted $25,000 cash prizes following surprise award notifications earlier in the school year.

Hudec and Dooley received their awards after being surprised with the honors in November and February, respectively.

“Each 2025 Milken Educator embodies the steadfast leader, mentor and guide every student deserves,” Milken said. “From the inaugural class of 12 outstanding California educators, the Milken Educator Network is now over 3,000-strong, representing diverse communities across the country. We celebrate the induction of 27 professionals who are building a brighter future for thousands of young Americans and our nation itself.”

In addition to the $25,000 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, recipients receive lifetime membership in the national Milken Educator Network, which offers mentorship, professional development opportunities and collaboration with more than 3,000 educators nationwide.

According to the Milken Family Foundation, the 2025-26 Milken Educator Awards season brings the program’s total individual financial prizes to more than $76 million, with more than $146 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network since its inception.

For information, visit milkeneducatorawards.org.