Photo: KTNV / Phil McCarten, Milken Family Foundation
Foothill High School special education teacher, Joseph Kielminski, was awarded the Milken Educator Award on Friday.
Kielminski was surprised with the award during a school assembly. He said that he did not expect his name to be called and that the award came as a complete shock. In addition to the award, he also won $25,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles for the Milken Educator Awards Forum in June.
The Milken Educator Award recognizes educators nationwide who go above and beyond as well as "outstanding innovation and excellence in education."
Keilminski is the special education department chair and has worked with Best Buddies programs and the Special Olympics. He also launched a sign language club, classroom garden, and a campus cleanup group.
He said, "I wasn't expecting my name to be on it. I had other teachers in mind. We have amazing teachers here at school. She announced my name and I kind of got tunnel vision and I'm just so grateful."
Source: KTNV