NOLA-PS Superintendent Congratulates Benjamin Franklin High School Teacher for Receiving $25,000 Milken Educator Award

(New Orleans – March 15, 2022) — Joined by Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) members Olin Parker, Ethan Ashley, Dr. Jancarlos Wagner-Romero, Carlos Zervigon, and Katherine Baudouin, NOLA Public Schools (NOLA-PS) Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. was proud to celebrate and congratulate Benjamin Franklin High School math and social studies teacher Jay Weisman for receiving the 2021-2022 Milken Educator Award. The honor includes a $25,000 cash prize that Weisman can use however he wishes.

"NOLA-PS is proud to have an educator of Mr. Weisman's caliber teaching our students," said Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. "His 'superpower of making students want to learn, no matter what he is teaching' is inspiring and has consistently helped students excel in math and social studies. We are proud of his accomplishment and wish him continued success as an amazing educator."

Hailed as the "Oscars of Teaching," Milken Educator Awards inspire and uplift with the unique stories of educators making a profound difference for students, colleagues, and communities. 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.

Weisman is among more than 60 educators across the country who will receive the Award during the 2021-22 season. The last Orleans Parish recipient was awarded in 2019.

OPSB members and Superintendent Lewis joined State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley this morning as the prestigious recognition was delivered during a surprise school assembly at Benjamin Franklin High School.

### 

About NOLA Public Schools: NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish. It includes the district's administration and elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 76 public schools and is led by Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr.

For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.