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The fifth graders in Rashinda Billie’s classroom at Kirtland Elementary School in northwest New Mexico know when it’s time to laugh and be lighthearted and when it’s time to get to work. That’s because Billie, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in education in 2014 and a Master of Arts in cultural and linguistically diverse education in 2024, emphasizes that energy and focus go hand in hand.

But on one recent morning, the usual classroom rhythm gave way to something unexpected. The school’s gymnasium, packed for what Billie and her students assumed was just another routine school assembly, burst into celebration. Their beloved teacher, in front of her students and colleagues, was recognized as a Milken Educator Award winner, one of the highest honors in teaching.

This year, Billie was the only educator in New Mexico to receive the honor.

“I really was so surprised,” she said. “But at the same time, I’ve known from early on that I wanted to be one of the best teachers around.”

Established in 1987 by philanthropist Lowell Milken, the award recognizes outstanding educators nationwide—not just for their achievements in the classroom but for their potential to shape the future of education. Each year, a select group of teachers, principals, and specialists are surprised with the award, which comes with a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize and an invitation to join the Milken Educator Network, a nationwide community of top educators dedicated to advancing the profession.

Unlike other teaching awards that require applications, the Milken Educator Award recipients are secretly selected through a rigorous process that includes input from state education departments and colleagues. For Billie, who had no idea she was under consideration, the surprise announcement was more than a personal milestone—it recognized years of dedication, creativity and unwavering support for her students.

A lifelong love of learning

Billie’s journey to that moment started long before she ever stood at the front of a classroom. Growing up on the Navajo Nation in Shiprock, New Mexico, she was a self-described “teacher’s pet”—a student who thrived under structure and high expectations.

“I didn’t like anything lower than an A,” she said with a laugh. Even in middle school, when she got her first B, she immediately sought out her teachers for ways to improve.

But her interest in education wasn’t just about subjects like math, reading and science—it was about the power of learning to change a person’s life.

“I had amazing teachers growing up,” she said. “They gave me confidence and made me feel like I could do anything I set my mind to.”

One teacher stood out—a particularly strict fifth-grade teacher.

“I think strict teachers are the best ones,” she said. “He taught me so many lessons—how to work with others, how to stand up for myself and how to keep going even when things were tough.”

Years later, when Billie stepped into her first classroom as a teacher, she visited that same teacher.

“He told me it was the most fulfilling job I could ever have,” she said. “And he was right.”

Finding a home at Fort Lewis College

When it came time for college, Billie, now 32, immediately knew she wanted to attend Fort Lewis College in Durango. It was close to home, and she liked staying connected to her community. Initially, she planned to attend for just two years. But the professors, the education program and the town itself made her stay.

“I loved Durango,” she said. “I loved the outdoors, the community and my professors. I knew that if I ever went back for a master’s degree, it would be at Fort Lewis.”

Unlike other programs that delay classroom experience, FLC placed Billie in real classrooms early on. The program also allowed her to try different grade levels, helping her find the right fit for her teaching style.

“I was in a classroom within my first or second semester,” she said. “That hands-on experience made all the difference. I wasn’t just learning about teaching—I was seeing it firsthand, working with students and figuring out what kind of teacher I wanted to be.”

Billie also gained valuable insight into diverse educational environments. FLC encouraged her to teach in different types of schools, including those in rural Durango and on the Navajo Nation, where she saw firsthand the disparities in resources.

“That experience made me more aware of the challenges my students might face and motivated me to bring culturally relevant teaching into my classroom,” she said.

"At Fort Lewis College, we believe that education is the key to transforming society. Our teacher education programs are designed to empower educators like Rashinda Billie to make meaningful impacts in their communities,” said Jenni Trujillo, the dean of the School of Education. "I had Rashinda in class, and her desire to make a difference was palpable and infectious! She is an inspiration to others.”

A decade after graduating, Billie returned to FLC, earning a Master of Arts in culturally and linguistically diverse education in 2024. She wanted to better serve her students, most of whom come from Native American backgrounds.

“I like to bring in students’ backgrounds and experiences and make those connections to what we're learning,” she said.

Building a classroom that reflects her students

Today, Billie is one of the youngest teachers at her school, something she sees as an advantage—it helps her relate better to students. While she wants the classroom to be fun, she also sets clear expectations on day one. That way, she said, her students understand the balance between fun and focus.

There are incentives, too—students can earn tickets and trade them for prizes at the end of the week.

But Billie’s students don’t just learn math and reading—they learn about who they are. Recognizing the curriculum often lacked cultural representation, she made it her mission to bridge that gap.

When her class studies the Navajo Code Talkers, for example, they don’t just read about them in a textbook. They watch documentaries, write essays and even create their own Navajo-English dictionaries, learning new words while exploring the history of their language. During craft projects, she encourages students to bring in traditional materials, like buckskin, moccasin fabric and Navajo designs, to personalize their work.

Growing as an educator

Like most new teachers, Billie’s first year in the classroom was overwhelming—lesson planning, working with students, and managing behavior weren’t easy.

“I knew how to teach, but there were so many things I didn’t think about,” she said.

But she wasn’t alone. With the help of mentors and close colleagues, she asked questions, sought advice and continually worked to improve.

“With every year, I became more confident,” she said.

Still, her learning journey is far from over. She’s always looking for training or new strategies—one of the reasons she believes she was selected for the Milken award.

“I can see how much I’ve changed over the years,” she said. “And I’m always looking for new ways to make learning more engaging. With education, you never want to get too comfortable—you need to keep growing.”