Cranston Educator Wins 'Oscars Of Teaching'

CRANSTON, RI — A Cranston teacher received an award from a national nonprofit recognizing her as one of the best in the nation.

In a surprise assembly Tuesday, Maria Santonastaso, a kindergarten teacher at Glen Hills Elementary School, received a $25,000 Milken Educator Award for her work creating a nurturing learning environment.

"We applaud Maria Santonastaso's commitment to providing her students with a strong foundation that prepares them for a lifetime of learning," Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Jane Foley said. "At such a young age, Maria's students are fortunate to learn under her watchful eye as she ensures their continued academic growth, engagement in hands-on activities, and individualized instruction. Congratulations, Maria! We know the Milken Educator Network will benefit from your valuable experience and passion for teaching."

Santonastaso was recognized for creating a unique and nurturing classroom for her students. She sparks curiosity, creativity, and peer interactions as she pairs her students with fourth-grade “buddies” and leads Socratic seminars. Using student data, she prioritizes early literacy skills and works with fellow faculty members to ensure all students receive individualized instruction.

Santonastaso also engages students in hands-on assignments, like a wild animal research project, concluding with student-led presentations and a showcase for parents and families. This unit garnered visits from district and state officials, as well as a live owl visit from the Audubon Society.

Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green joined Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Jane Foley to surprise Santonastaso with the national honor, which includes an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize. Cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries, and media lit up the gymnasium once they realized the true purpose of the gathering.

"As a passionate advocate for strong, data-driven literacy instruction, Maria has inspired a love of reading that empowers students to excel," Infante-Green said. "We are tremendously grateful for her contributions to Rhode Island education and look forward to the continued positive impact she will make on her students and the profession as a Milken Educator."

Santonastaso will join a national network of more than 3,000 Milken Educators and education leaders across the U.S. She is among up to 45 educators nationwide who will receive the recognition during the school year.

Hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching," the Milken Educator Awards celebrate the unique stories of educators making a difference in their students' lives. The awards are not designated for lifetime achievement. Recipients are heralded while early to mid-career for what they have achieved — and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities inherent in the award.

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