This year marks the 30th year of the Milken Educator Awards, the oldest teacher recognition program of its kind in the U.S. For three decades this initiative of the Milken Family Foundation, which Lowell Milken conceived and established, has surprised outstanding educators with $25,000 checks and national recognition.

Milken Educators are surprised at boisterous schoolwide assemblies before cheering students, respected colleagues, distinguished officials and the media.

The prestigious honor, to be presented at up to 35 schools this 2016-17 season, has been described as "the Oscars of teaching" by Teacher magazine. More than $138 million in funding, including $68 million in individual $25,000 Awards, has been devoted to the overall program, which includes powerful professional development opportunities throughout recipients' careers.