Mike started 2015 by visiting Seaton Elementary School in Washington, D.C., to present second-grade teacher Michelle Johnson with a Milken Educator Award. The notification ceremony, which is always a surprise in front of the entire school, recognized her successes in halving the number of “far below” grade level students in her class and demonstrating improved students’ reading levels at a faster pace than any other teacher in the building. Indeed, 90% of her students finished out the year by moving up a proficiency level or reaching proficient/advanced level. The Milken Family Foundation has awarded thousands of Educator Awards to public-school educators like Johnson across America; each award includes a $25,000 award and an invitation to the annual Milken Educator Forum.