Long Island Teacher Gets 'Oscar Of Teaching,' $25K Milken Educator Award

LONG ISLAND, NY — A Long Island teacher has received a $25,000 Milken Educator Award — considered the 'Oscar of Teaching' — for his ingenuity in the classroom, officials said.

The prestigious national honor, which was created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken, recognizes exceptional educators for their dedication to excellence in education.

The award includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize that John Melandro, a third and fifth-grade teacher at Tangier Smith Elementary School, can use however he chooses.

He is the first teacher to receive the award from the William Floyd School District.

Melandro, who hails from a family of educators, is adept at building relationships and tailoring instruction to his students’ needs, according to officials.

He grows student engagement, enthusiasm, and curiosity about the world around them, earning the nickname the “Magic Man,” turning "everyday subjects into exciting adventures by engaging students with innovative approaches and ensuring that learning is an enchanting experience for everyone," officials said.

His teaching methods center around building fundamental skills in critical thinking and problem-solving, according to officials.

"The many diverse ways through which he reaches students includes project-based learning, manipulatives, 'think-alouds,' working in pairs and small groups, and incorporating culturally responsive tactics to ensure every student is valued, seen and heard," officials said.

His students "take responsibility for their learning and trust Melandro as a supportive guide who offers constructive feedback and closely monitors their progress for full understanding," according to officials.

Melandro partners with the district’s Career and Technical Education program to provide his students with real-life learning experiences from guest speakers working in the fields of barbering, cosmetology, and the culinary arts, according to officials.

His methods have "translated into consistently high student performance and growth as measured by state assessments," officials said.

Melandro "analyzes assessment results, creates data-driven action plans, and leads meetings through his involvement on the school’s data team as a grade-level data ambassador," according to officials.

He also has helped put into place a new Character Education program as a committee member, and created online learning opportunities as a state assessment prep resource for his colleagues, officials said.

Melandro is a teacher mentor, is active in the Parent Teacher Organization and Board of Education meetings, contributing to greater parental and community engagement in students’ educational journeys, according to officials.

His classroom is used by teachers throughout the district as a model for observation, officials said.
Melandro earned his Bachelor of Arts in child study from St. Joseph’s College in 2017, and received his master’s degree in liberal arts from Stony Brook University in 2022.

Milken Educator Award recipients receive powerful mentorship opportunities for expanded leadership roles that strengthen education practice and policy. Honorees will also attend an all-expenses-paid Milken Educator Awards Forum in Los Angeles in April 2025, where they will network with their new colleagues about how to broaden their impact on K-12 education.

Melandro, who was surprised with the award during a school assembly, said he was overwhelmed.

Stepping through the doors at the school six years ago, he felt like it was his home.

"I'm just so honored and overwhelmed and grateful, and I'm going to take this responsibility with my put my best foot forward," he said. "And I just want to thank everyone that's been a part of helping me get here because it's certainly been quite a journey, and so many of you have been a part of that. So, thank you."

The organization's Senior Vice President Jane Foley, a Milken educator herself, called his
commitment to education "evident in every aspect of his classroom."

“John transforms his lessons into real adventures of learning, where students take charge of the subject matter, set goals, interact with peers, and build self-confidence and respect for others," she said. "He brings the same enthusiasm to his leadership at the school, helping to advance action plans, enhance character education and involve parents and families in their students’ exciting journeys at Tangier Smith Elementary.

"It’s no surprise John is known as the ‘Magic Man,'" she said.

Melandro was honored Wednesday as part of the Milken Family Foundation’s 2024-25 Milken Educator Awards season.

The tour will honor up to 45 pioneering professionals coast to coast, marking the 3,000th Milken Educator in the Awards’ ranks and celebrating a history of changing lives in communities across America, officials said.

It will reach more than $75 million in individual cash prizes since the Awards’ inception in 1987 and over $145 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall, empowering recipients to “Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate” the K-12 profession and encouraging young, capable people to consider a career in education," according to officials.

State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa congratulated Melandro.

“This honor highlights his exceptional dedication to students and outstanding leadership among colleagues," she said. "Mr. Melandro, through his innovative teaching practices, inspires his students and fellow educators alike, fostering a collaborative environment that elevates the entire William Floyd School District community. On behalf of the Department and the Board of Regents, thank you for your commitment to excellence in education.”