The Milken Educator Awards, created by Lowell Milken in 1987, have rewarded and inspired excellence in the world of education by honoring top educators around the country with $25,000 unrestricted awards. Not an accolade for “lifetime achievement” or the proverbial gold watch at the exit door, the Milken Educator Awards target early-to-mid-career education professionals for their already impressive achievements and, more significantly, for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future. 

 
Two Arkansas teachers, Bonnie Pollock and Derek Tharp, were awarded the prestigious Milken Educator Award during surprise assemblies at their respective school districts in January 2025. The 2024 Milken Educators received a $25,000 prize from the Milken Family Foundation. The Arkansas State Board of Education honored the teachers during its May 2025 meeting. 

Far left to right: Arkansas State Board of Education (SBE) members, Dr. Gary Arnold, Lisa Hunter, Jeff Wood, Leigh S. Keener, Dr. Sarah Moore (Chair), and Jacob Olivia, Secretary of Education 
Center: 2024 Milken Educators: Bonnie Pollock and Derek Tharp 
Left to right: SBE members, Kathy Rollins, Randy Henderson, Ken Bragg, Adrienne Woods, and 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Beau McCastlain 

2024 Milken Educator Bonnie Pollock, middle school English Language Arts teacher at the Bentonville School District, being honored by the Arkansas State Board of Education in May 2025. 

To learn more about Bonnie, please visit her Milken Educator page: Bonnie Pollock. 

2024 Milken Educator Derek Tharp, middle school math teacher at the Southside School District, being honored by the Arkansas State Board of Education in May 2025. 

To learn more about Derek, please visit his Milken Educator page: Derek Tharp. 

To view all Arkansas Milken Educators, please visit Milken Educators.