By: Richard L. Smith
The 2025–26 National Milken Educator Awards tour kicked off in New Jersey with a life-changing moment for Lawrence Middle School teacher Jeanette Capritti.
During a packed school assembly on Tuesday morning, Capritti, a seventh grade English language arts teacher, was stunned when she was named the recipient of a $25,000 Milken Educator Award.
The announcement came before cheering students, staff, local dignitaries, and members of the media.
Capritti not only became this year’s sole honoree in New Jersey, but also the first educator in the history of Lawrence Township Public Schools to receive the distinction.
Dr. Jane Foley, Senior Vice President of the Milken Educator Awards and a 1994 honoree herself, joined New Jersey Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer in presenting the award. “Congratulations to Jeanette Capritti, whose exceptional dedication and passion for teaching shines in everything she does,” Foley said.
“Her instructional innovation, captivating classroom environment, and broader leadership and mentorship highlight why she will make a meaningful addition to the Milken Educator Network.”
Commissioner Dehmer praised Capritti as a model for the state’s educators, noting her creativity in teaching writing and literacy.
“The Milken Educator Award is one of the most prestigious recognitions in education,” Dehmer said. “Jeanette Capritti’s selection is a powerful affirmation of her innovative teaching and her unwavering commitment to student success.”
Capritti is New Jersey’s 39th awardee since the state joined the Milken program in 2002. She now becomes part of a nationwide network of more than 3,000 educators recognized since the program’s launch in 1987.
Often dubbed the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Educator Awards are unique because there is no application process.
Instead, educators are selected early to mid-career for their proven excellence in the classroom and their potential to shape the future of education.
With Capritti’s award, the program’s total individual cash prizes have surpassed $76 million, with more than $146 million invested overall to support the professional growth and influence of Milken Educators nationwide.