Southbridge Middle School teacher Jillian Lombardi stood mouth agape amid cheering students and faculty on Friday morning during a surprise announcement that she was the recipient of the Milken Educator Award and its accompanying $25,000 prize, recognizing her commitment to students and work in and outside of the classroom.
About 45 educators across the country are being honored this school year with the Milken Educator Award, but Lombardi is the only Massachusetts recipient; she is the state’s 51st Milken winner.
“It’s great for Southbridge students to see that they do have a quality education,” Lombardi said. “It’s not always framed that way for them.”
About 63 percent of students at Southbridge Middle are Latino and about 86 percent are considered high needs, which includes students who are low income, English learners, or have disabilities.
The prize is doled out to early-and-mid-career educators. Inspired by philanthropist Lowell Milken in 1987, the annual Milken Educator Awards expects to contribute more than $75 million in individual financial prizes this school year and more than $145 million invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall.
More than 3,000 educators across the country have been given the award during the program’s 40-year history.
“Ms. Lombardi brings her students a special blend of high expectations and strong support, all combined with humor,” Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler said in a statement.
Known for her interactive classroom, Lombardi teaches Grade 6 science at Southbridge Middle. Her students consistently show up excited for her class, where they are encouraged to take their learning and discussions outside school walls, according to the foundation. The desks in her class form a horseshoe, allowing robust conversations with all her students.
Her relationship goes beyond the classroom as she also serves as a coach for the girls’ basketball and tennis teams and attends her students' extracurricular activities.
“It’s important because it shows students you’re dedicated beyond just coming to work to receive a paycheck and just do your job,” Lombardi said.
At the rally, Massachusetts acting Education Commissioner Russell Johnston and Greg Gallagher, Milken Family Foundation senior program director, presented Lombardi the prize.
“Jillian Lombardi sparks curiosity, excitement and a genuine love of learning in her hands-on classroom,” Gallagher said in a statement Friday. “Her enthusiastic approach to education is contagious, and it is just one of the many ways she will contribute to the national Milken Educator Network.”
Lombardi also dedicates her time mentoring her peers by leading weekly professional development sessions.
“As much as I’m giving advice and input to my colleagues, I get from them as well,” she said. “Everyone leads together.”
While serving as the science department head, she also works on the school’s Instructional Leadership Team, according to the Foundation.
“She is a wonderful representative of all the Southbridge and Massachusetts educators who believe in their students and work so hard for them every day,” Johnston said.
The $25,000 prize can be spent however the recipients' see fit. Past recipients have used it for field trips and establishing scholarships.
In April, honorees will attend a Milken Educator Awards Forum together in Los Angeles where they will collaborate on how to broaden their impact on K-12 education.
“To be recognized in a state that has really high quality educators is really incredible, and I’m grateful for that,” she said.
Auzzy Byrdsell can be reached at austin.byrdsell@globe.com.