Springdale teacher receives $25,000 Milken Educator Award

The Milken Family Foundation awarded the prestigious Milken Educator Award to an educator from Hellstern Middle School in Springdale on Tuesday (Oct. 3).

Michael Tapee (pronounced TAY-pee), a sixth- and seventh-grade teacher, was surprised with the award at an all-school assembly that included local and state education officials. The recognition includes a $25,000 cash prize that Tapee can use however he chooses.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders and Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva joined Lowell Milken to present Tapee with the recognition Tuesday.

According to a news release, Tapee is the first educator to receive the Milken Award in the 2023-24 school year. More than 60 educators across the country will receive the award this year.

“I created the Milken Educator Awards more than three decades ago to say in a public way that greatness in education should be celebrated, recognized and rewarded. Michael Tapee has not only exceeded academic expectations with his students but has also instilled in them a deep sense of enthusiasm, curiosity and discovery that they will carry through their journey of learning and life,” said Milken, founder of the Milken Educator Awards and chairman and co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation. “These skills are crucial to developing the talented STEM leaders our nation needs to compete in a global economy.”

Tapee teaches mathematics and computer science at Hellstern. He is known for his co-creation and development of Hellstern’s Herobotics program, a competitive robotics team designed to help students pursue STEM outside of the classroom. His growing team regularly qualifies for state competitions and has won several championships.

Tapee earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a mathematics minor in 2015 from the University of Arkansas and a master’s degree in teaching in 2016. In 2023, he completed an education specialist program with a concentration in educational leadership and principalship from Arkansas State University.

The Milken Educator Award was founded in 1982 by Lowell Milken, an international property developer regarded as one of America’s most generous philanthropists. He established the award, called the “Oscars of Teaching” by Teacher Magazine, to recognize exceptional teachers, and the first award was presented in 1987 to provide public recognition and individual financial awards of $25,000 to elementary and secondary school teachers, principals and specialists from around the country who are furthering excellence in education.

Recipients are recognized in early to mid-career for what they have achieved and for the promise of what they will accomplish.