Kirtland Elementary School Teacher Rashinda Billie Wins Prestigious Milken Educator Award

Kirtland, NM -    The Milken Family Foundation is proud to announce that fourth-grade teacher Rashinda Billie has been awarded the Milken Educator Award. This prestigious national award, often referred to as the "Oscars of Teaching," comes with a $25,000 prize and recognizes Billie's exceptional contributions to education.

Billie was surprised with the award at a schoolwide assembly on January 15, 2025. Milken Educator Awards Vice President Jennifer Fuller and New Mexico's Public Education Department Deputy Secretary of Identity, Equity and Transformation, Dr. Candace Castillo, presented her with the honor.

"We are thrilled to welcome Rashinda Billie into the ranks of America's most incredible educators," said Fuller, herself a Milken Educator from Texas in 2017. "Rashinda's creativity in the classroom, enthusiasm for education, and leadership have made a significant impact on her students, colleagues and her community. Welcome to the Milken Educator Network!"

The Milken Educator Awards program is the nation's preeminent teacher-recognition program. As the only recipient in New Mexico for the 2024-25 season, Billie, a Shiprock High School alumni, joins a national network of over 3,000 Milken Educators. The Milken Educator Awards inspire educators, students and entire communities to "Celebrate, Elevate and Activate" the K-12 teaching profession.

We are incredibly proud of Ms. Billie’s achievement and her commitment to providing our students with a high-quality education! "It is an honor to have Ms. Rashinda Billie as an educator at Kirtland Elementary School. Being an educator takes dedication, profound empathy, and a belief in every student's potential to grow, learn, and achieve their highest aspirations. Ms. Billie's achievement serves as an inspiration to all educators across New Mexico and we are immensely proud to have her as part of our educational family at Central Consolidated School District." said Steve Carlson, Superintendent of Central Consolidated School District.

This marks the fourth recipient of the Milken Educator Award within the Central Consolidated School District, joining a distinguished group that includes Delphina John,  Dr. Elvira Bitsoi Largie, and Glojean Todacheene.

Attendees included:  

- Mark Duncan, NM State Representative 

- Sandra Lanier, District 3 County Commissioner 

- Shane Ferarri, San Juan County Sheriff 

- Tony Herrera, Chief of San Juan County Fire Department 

- Lt. Shawn Montgomery, San Juan County Fire Department 

- Terri Garcia, Member of CCSD Indian Education Committee  

CCSD School Board Members:  

- Marion L. Wells, Board Secretary 

- Gary J. Montoya, Board Member 

New Mexico Public Education Department 

- Dr. Candice Castillo, Deputy Secretary of Identity, Equity and Transformation

- Dr. Janelle Taylor Garcia, Communications Director