Jakovics had no idea she would be honored at the assembly as a recipient of the Milken Educator Award, the nation’s largest teacher recognition program for elementary and secondary teachers, principals and specialists who exceed expectations in educating the youth. 

“I didn’t know anything about it! I was absolutely surprised,” she said after a long pause. “One of my friends had to tell me to get up to receive the award after my name was called.” 

Jakovics walked away with $25,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles, where she will join other recipients in the Milken Educator Forum, a conference-style seminar that draws attention to challenges in education. 

“I am very impressed by Kimberly Jakovics’ long-range instructional leadership and efforts,” said Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Nancy Grasmick. “Her visible dedication and joy of teaching— from developing in-school models that target underperforming and minority students to providing professional development to her fellow colleagues— are paramount to the success of the Social Studies Department.”

The longtime educator and Virginia native graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She soon landed a job offer as a teacher at Mary E. Moss Academy in Crownsville. Shortly after, she taught in Bolivia for a year. Jakovics returned to Maryland to serve on the Maryland Board of Education and finally ended up in Annapolis as a teacher and chairperson of the Social Studies Department, a position she still holds six years later. 

“Seeing a student’s face when they’re proud of themselves for mastering something” is the main reason why she has been in the education field for over a decade, she stated. “The excitement and enthusiasm from the students is my favorite part of teaching.”

Annapolis High School Principal Donald Lilley says it was her undying ardor for teaching that led to the award. “She possesses a very unique hands-on style that helps students of all backgrounds build the appropriate knowledge base. Students achieve better results and access higher level content because of her commitment to their success.”

The Milken Educator Award was first presented to 12 California teachers in 1987. Since then it has awarded more than 2400 educators nationwide with over $60 million. 

Jacoviks is one of 50 educators in the nation to be awarded this year. She is the only Maryland educator recognized. She describes the feeling of being chosen from thousands as “a humbling experience on top of being surprised, speechless and honored.” 

“Highly effective educators are the human capital that will equip America’s youth in this increasingly competitive global economy,” said Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation. “The Milken Educator Award sends a powerful message of the critical role that talented teachers play in preparing young people for a bright future.”

To date, only 54 Maryland educators have received the Milken Educator Award since the state’s participation in 1993. 

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