Colt Brockington, a science teacher at Wayne County High School in the Wayne County School System, has been recognized with the prestigious Milken Educator Award.

Brockington received the award today in a surprise assembly at his school. The gathering began with a visit from State Board of Education member Nicholas Ellis and GaDOE Superintendent of Rural Education and Innovation Dr. Bronwyn Ragan-Martin, who were there to celebrate student successes and help kick off the second semester.

The assembly took an exciting turn when Ellis introduced a surprise guest, Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop – who announced that Brockington was the recipient of the prestigious national award. Congressman Earl L. “Buddy" Carter joined in the celebration along with cheering students, colleagues, local and state dignitaries, and GaDOE staff members.

Known as the “Oscars of Teaching," the Milken Educator Award is an unrestricted $25,000 award for exemplary educators. Recipients are sought out while early- to mid-career and recognized for what they have achieved – and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities afforded by the award.

“I am extremely grateful that Colt Brockington chose to enter the education profession and is making a difference in the lives of Georgia students each and every day," State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Georgia's teachers are the ones making education work in our state – it's through their efforts that all educational achievement takes place. On behalf of our education family, congratulations to Mr. Brockington on his receipt of this well-deserved award!"

Brockington, who was completely unaware of his candidacy for the award, is the first Milken Educator Award recipient from the Wayne County School System since 1999 – when Amy Denty, now GaDOE's Director of Literacy, received her award at Arthur Williams Middle School. Denty joined in today's celebration alongside several fellow Georgia Milken Educators.

A Wayne County High School alumnus himself, Brockington supports students' academic success – teaching classes ranging from special education biology to honors physics. He is also dedicated to his duties as an athletic coach and a leader within the school and district.

For many years, Brockington considered becoming a pharmacist. However, as time moved on, he realized his true passion lies within education. Brockington commands respect in the classroom and maintains high expectations of himself and students while promoting a rigorous yet nurturing academic culture.

He regularly collaborates with colleagues as a teacher leader on the WCHS instructional leadership team by sharing new practices, modeling lessons, working with Professional Learning Communities and leading professional development sessions. He upholds an honest and consistent line of strength-based communication with students, parents, and colleagues, focused on reinforcing strengths and refining areas of need, to provide his students with a full, well-rounded school experience.

Brockington holds a Bachelor of Biological Sciences with a secondary education concentration from the College of Coastal Georgia.

The Milken Educator Awards will honor up to 75 recipients across the country in 2023-24 as part of the Milken Family Foundation's Journey to the 3,000th Milken Educator.