Kansas teacher stunned with Milken award, $25K prize

Milken Educator Award recipient Bill Smithyman is too stunned to smile as he stands in front of the packed gym at Blue Valley Northwest High School, where students, faculty and guests stand cheering. Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson looks on with a smile. photo Milken Educator Awards

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A suburban Kansas City high school teacher has won a prestigious teaching award that comes with a $25,000 prize.

Language arts teacher Bill Smithyman has been named a recipient of the Milken Educator Award for Kansas. The Kansas State Department of Education said in a news release that Smithyman was told about the award this week in a surprise ceremony at Blue Valley Northwest High School.

Smithyman is one of about 40 educators around the country being recognized with the distinction.

Smithyman has been teaching for 15 years in the Blue Valley district. Deputy superintendent of education services Sue Dole says students and parents know that Smithyman is “fully invested in student success and they trust him.”