MEDIA ADVISORY

Release Date: October 20, 2009

Contact: Pete Smith, Director of Communications, 601-359-1336

$25,000 MILKEN NATIONAL EDUCATOR AWARD TO SURPRISE MISSISSIPPI TEACHER

Milken Family Foundation tours the country to bestow national awards and more than $1.2 million in cash prizes to over 50 preeminent secondary educators

WHAT: An unsuspecting Mississippi educator will receive an unrestricted $25,000 Milken Educator Award at a surprise school-wide assembly. Presented by Foundation representatives and State Superintendent, the prestigious award will recognize the exceptional work of this educator as a model for the state and nation. This event is part of the Milken Family Foundation's 23rd Annual National Notifications tour, honoring over 50 outstanding educators as 2009 Milken Educator Award recipients, with collective cash prizes totaling more than $1.2 million.

***Please help us maintain secrecy, as surprise is a key element of this story. The recipient will not know [he/she] is being honored until the name is revealed at the assembly in front of students and faculty, as well as local education officials and state dignitaries. ***

The Milken Educator Awards, conceived by Milken Family Foundation Chairman and Co-Founder Lowell Milken to attract, retain and motivate outstanding talent to the teaching profession, has grown to become the nation's largest teacher recognition program. Including this year's selections, since 1987 over $60 million has been awarded to more than 2,400 educators. New recipients will join the Milken Educator Network, a group of distinguished educators whose expertise serves as a valuable resource to fellow educators, legislators, school boards and others shaping the future of education.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

WHERE: Gulfport, MS (specific school location will follow on [Date])

WHO:
• Surprise Award recipient and students, faculty and community leaders
• Milken Family Foundation representative and State Superintendent
• Others

CONTACT: Pete Smith, Communications Director, 601-664-8112 (cell)

WEB SITE: www.mff.org