Rhode Island Teacher One Of 40 In U.S. To Earn National Award

NORTH SCITUATE, RI — A Rhode Island educator was awarded a prestigious honor on Wednesday. Special Education Teacher Jennifer Paolantonio is one of just 40 teachers in the country and the only one in Rhode Island to receive the Milken Educator Award.

Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green and Candice McQueen , the CEO of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching surprised Paolantonio at Ponagansett High School, presenting her with the award and the accompanying unrestricted $25,000 prize.

"I look forward to any opportunity to celebrate great teaching, and when it’s a teacher who works closely with differently abled students, it’s particularly close to my heart," Infante-Green said. "These individuals are educators, but also advocates, and by all accounts, Jennifer Paolantonio is the kind of educator and advocate who inspires her students and sets them up to thrive and succeed. Congratulations to Jennifer and the Ponaganset community on this exciting and well-deserved recognition."

Paolantonio is truly dedicated to her students. She is described as an "extra-special" special education teacher, taking the time to create individual programs for each student to best meet their abilities.

"Jennifer Paolantonio is making excellence and inclusiveness an everyday expectation for her students and her school," McQueen said. "Her dedication, visionary leadership and creative teaching make us proud to welcome her as a Milken educator."

The Milken Awards, called the "Oscars of Teaching" by Teacher magazine, has honored outstanding teachers for three decades.

Michael Barnes, the superintendent of the Foster-Glocester School Department, said Paolantonio "stands out among the amazing teachers we have at Ponaganset High School."

"She truly focuses on developing all facets of a child – academic, career, and personal-social. Her dedication, expertise, advocacy, and passion for advancing students’ learning have left an indelible mark on students and adults throughout our school, our district, our state and internationally," Barnes said. "I count Jenn as a valued colleague and appreciate her exceptional service to our students and communities."

The $25,000 cash prize is unrestricted, meaning it can be used however the educator chooses. Previous recipients have used the money for their or their children's continued education, paying for "dream" field trips or the creation of a scholarship.