Media Contact:
Tara G. Cunningham
Dillard University
tcunningham@dillard.edu
(504) 816-4024
NEW ORLEANS, LA — Dillard University proudly celebrates alumna Sarah Watkins ’09, who has been named a national Milken Educator Award recipient—one of the highest honors in education. Watkins, an eighth-grade English language arts teacher at Stella Worley Middle School in Westwego, Louisiana, received the surprise recognition along with a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize.
Watkins was honored during a school assembly filled with cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries, and media. The award was presented by Dr. Joshua Barnett, CEO of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching and representative of the Milken Family Foundation, alongside Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. A proud Dillard alumna, Watkins earned her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education from the university in 2009. Her work as a teacher and mentor reflects Dillard’s longstanding commitment to preparing leaders who uplift and transform their communities.
“This is a tremendous moment for Dillard University,” said Dr. Monique Guillory, president of Dillard University. “We are thrilled to honor a Bleu Devil who is making a profound impact in the lives of our youth. Sarah’s dedication, excellence, and passion for education embody the very best of Dillard, and we could not be more proud.”
Watkins’ recognition is part of a nationwide Milken Educator Awards tour that will honor 30 outstanding educators across the country during the 2024–25 season. Recipients also join the Milken Educator Network, a national community of more than 3,000 innovative professionals committed to shaping the future of education. Often referred to as the “Oscars of Teaching,” the Milken Educator Awards are the nation’s preeminent teacher recognition program. Since 1987, the Milken Family Foundation has awarded more than $76 million in individual cash prizes and invested over $146 million in the Milken Educator Network to elevate the profession and inspire future educators. Dillard University extends heartfelt congratulations to Sarah Watkins for this extraordinary achievement and her dedication to educating and empowering Louisiana’s youth.
